Last week, Republican leaders in the General Assembly were clear about their stance on legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania: it’s not happening anytime soon.

 

And while Democrats will likely continue to levy pressure on their GOP colleagues, one state board plans to act on its own to provide relief to those with weighed down by consequences from past marijuana convictions.

Pardons Secretary Brandon Flood expressed confidence Monday that a sweeping retooling of the state’s pardons and parole process would clear the General Assembly, with the Senate slated to hold hearings on the bill later this week.

Flood told reporters following a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon that he did expect some potential changes to the bill, which will not likely be considered until the fall. But, he added, he expected the bill to still be a net positive for those on probation or parole in the state.

This week we talk with Brandon Flood, secretary of the Board of Pardons, on his personal background, as well as his plans to move the agency forward, criminal justice reform and even fashion tips. Like what you hear? Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Spotify and Google Play.

As part of a continued movement to reform the state’s criminal justice system, Lt. Gov. John Fetterman formally announced Monday that he has tapped Brandon Flood, a veteran legislative staffer and lobbyist, as secretary of the state’s Board of Pardons.

Fetterman and a bevy of lawmakers said at a press conference that Flood’s appointment would open up a more efficient and empathetic era for the Board of Pardons. Flood himself was formally pardoned earlier this year for a pair of drug and firearm charges when he was 17 and 22, respectively.