Pot pardon plans

Also: Mass. Pike revamp project gets a big boost; Biden's return to New Hampshire [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  March 12, 2024 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 55. Good Morning Boston, While you keep [working on those photo editing skills]( here's what's in our picture today: - Pardon party: Gov. Maura Healey is planning this week to follow through on a big pledge from her 2022 campaign: [A blanket pardon for people with state-level convictions for simple marijuana possession](. Healey's office says an announcement is coming tomorrow with more details. Until then, here's what we do and don't know: - What is "simple" possession? Generally, it means a conviction for small amounts of marijuana intended for personal use (rather than selling) and has been punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $500. However, the state [relaxed those penalties in 2018](. And since 2016, it's been legal to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana in public or up to 10 ounces at home. - How would a blanket pardon work? That part is still a bit hazy. Healey's team [said in 2022]( she'd model the effort after President Biden's [federal marijuana pardons]( which includes [an application process.]( ([Similar state-level processes]( have also involved an application.) But in Massachusetts, the Governor's Council also has to sign off on pardon recommendations. - How many would be eligible? Healey's office hasn't said, but it may be in the tens of thousands, [as The Boston Globe first reported yesterday](. Still, the actual number of pardons could depend on the process. (While thousands are eligible for Biden's federal marijuana pardons, officials say only [183 pardon certificates]( have been issued so far.) - Why it matters: There are a lot more state-level marijuana possession convictions than federal convictions. And while Massachusetts [already has an expungement process]( for people convicted of marijuana crimes that were later legalized in 2016, [critics]( say the process is too lengthy and burdensome. - Fanning the ceasefire flames: Brookline could soon join several other communities in Massachusetts calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Residents will vote on a resolution — calling for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for humanitarian aid to Gaza — at its Town Meeting in May. As Brookline.News [first reported]( it comes after four residents filed the resolution as a warrant article. - What they're saying: Emma Nash, a resident behind the resolution, told WBUR's Amy Sokolow that Gaza has been [a particularly contentious issue]( in Brookline, which is home to one of the largest Jewish and Israeli populations in the region. But she said the resolution is about "not only opening up an opportunity for peace by calling for a ceasefire in a very literal sense, but also providing an opportunity for our community to heal." - What's next: Brookline's Select Board is scheduled to discuss whether to support the resolution during its meeting tonight. - Zoom out: Cambridge, Somerville and Amherst have all passed similar ceasefire resolutions this year. - Free agent frenzy: Monday was a busy news day in the NFL, as the free agency negotiating window opened. The New England Patriots (sorta) got in on the action, as they begin their [new era under coach Jerod Mayo](. - Arrivals: The team [brought back veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett on a one-year deal]( as they continue to look at picking a quarterback in next month's draft. They also [signed running back Antonio Gibson]( to add some versatility to the backfield. - Departures: Wide receiver Devante Parker, who struggled during his two years in New England, is [being released by the team](. - Slow-ell: Officials in Lowell are trying to educate drivers about the city's [new 25 mph speed limit]( for all roads in "thickly settled or business districts." Message boards and signs warning about the change are going up this week at major entry points into the city. - Police say they will pull over and issue warnings to speeders, but won't give out tickets for the first few months. - Rest easy, Needham: State police say [a search of the Charles River yesterday]( did not turn up any more old explosives, after "two deteriorated pieces of unexploded ordnance" were pulled up by fishermen around the Kendrick Street bridge over the course of a week. P.S.— This week marks the beginning of On Point's new special series "[Elements of energy: Mining for a green future]( It's a five-day look at the environmental and human costs of mining for the elements that drive clean energy. [Listen to the first episode about lithium mining in the U.S. here]( and [tune in]( every day this week at 10 a.m. for new shows. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  The Rundown [Feds to contribute $335 million to Mass Pike revamp in Allston]( A once-in-a-generation infrastructure project in Allston appears to be in line for a big boost of federal cash.Such funding could be key to achieving the suite of reforms envisioned, which would reorganize highway, rail and pedestrian infrastructure on a narrow stretch of land between Boston University and the Charles River in Allston. [Read more.]( [Feds to contribute $335 million to Mass Pike revamp in Allston]( A once-in-a-generation infrastructure project in Allston appears to be in line for a big boost of federal cash.Such funding could be key to achieving the suite of reforms envisioned, which would reorganize highway, rail and pedestrian infrastructure on a narrow stretch of land between Boston University and the Charles River in Allston. [Read more.]( [Biden in NH touts his budget plan]( The president called on Congress to apply his $2,000 cap on drug costs and $35 insulin to everyone, not just people who have Medicare. He also advocated for making permanent some protections in the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire next year. [Read more.]( [Biden in NH touts his budget plan]( The president called on Congress to apply his $2,000 cap on drug costs and $35 insulin to everyone, not just people who have Medicare. He also advocated for making permanent some protections in the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire next year. [Read more.]( [Mass. hospitals feeling fiscal pinch from Change Healthcare cyber breach]( The debilitating cyberattack on Change Healthcare last month is costing the Massachusetts health care system about $24 million a day, and care providers are looking to health insurers for financial relief. A Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association leader said while the struggles aren't currently affecting patient care, industry experts are worried it could. [Read more.]( [Mass. hospitals feeling fiscal pinch from Change Healthcare cyber breach]( The debilitating cyberattack on Change Healthcare last month is costing the Massachusetts health care system about $24 million a day, and care providers are looking to health insurers for financial relief. A Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association leader said while the struggles aren't currently affecting patient care, industry experts are worried it could. [Read more.]( [Libraries struggle to afford the demand for e-books, seek new state laws in fight with publishers]( Digital copies of books often cost libraries four or more times the price consumers pay. Librarians and lawmakers in some states, including Massachusetts, are pushing for legislation that would help lower their costs. [Read more.]( [Libraries struggle to afford the demand for e-books, seek new state laws in fight with publishers]( Digital copies of books often cost libraries four or more times the price consumers pay. Librarians and lawmakers in some states, including Massachusetts, are pushing for legislation that would help lower their costs. [Read more.]( [Court upholds Brookline bylaw banning anyone born in 21st century from buying tobacco products]( Brookline, which adopted an unusual ordinance banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born in the 21st century, is being looked at as a possible model for other cities and towns hoping to further clamp down on cigarettes and tobacco products. The bylaw was adopted by Brookline in 2020 and last week was upheld by the state’s highest court. [Read more.]( [Court upholds Brookline bylaw banning anyone born in 21st century from buying tobacco products]( Brookline, which adopted an unusual ordinance banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born in the 21st century, is being looked at as a possible model for other cities and towns hoping to further clamp down on cigarettes and tobacco products. The bylaw was adopted by Brookline in 2020 and last week was upheld by the state’s highest court. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Springtime means string-time. WBUR contributor Lloyd Schwartz has [an exhaustive guide to all the classical music performances]( this season in Massachusetts, from an evening with cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott to a spate of Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts. - Car manufacturers want to ditch AM radios in their vehicles. But a large, bipartisan group of lawmakers — led by several New England senators — believes saving the AM dial is critical to public safety, especially in rural America. [Read more about the push here.]( - [Starting April 30]( Airbnb will ban the use of indoor security cameras in its listings, after reports of hidden cameras over the years. - Sarah Brown, a local primary care doctor, says it may seem counterintuitive, but health insurance options for undocumented people saves money and improves the patient experience for everyone. She writes [in this Cognoscenti commentary]( that Massachusetts' policy should serve as a model for the rest of the nation. What We're Reading 📚 - In deeds, people of color were barred from buying homes. Now, they could validate reparations programs. ([The Boston Globe]( - Five of this year’s Pulitzer finalists are AI-powered [(Nieman Lab]( - Automakers Are Sharing Consumers’ Driving Behavior With Insurance Companies ([The New York Times](  Tell Me Something Good [A first for Old Ironsides (CommonWealth Beacon)]( “I fight and drive ships and lead sailors,” said Commander Billie JU. Farrell. “And so that’s what I’ve done for the past 20 years. I’m very fortunate that I’ve worked with a bunch of great commanding officers. [Read more.]( [A first for Old Ironsides (CommonWealth Beacon)]( “I fight and drive ships and lead sailors,” said Commander Billie JU. Farrell. “And so that’s what I’ve done for the past 20 years. I’m very fortunate that I’ve worked with a bunch of great commanding officers. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common looks at Massachusetts' public housing waitlist system and [the lack of progress it has made filling vacant units](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: Those Leap Day babies have nothing on [the Tobin Bridge baby](. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news    Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.