One of the Democrats running for governor says he will pardon people serving time for possession of marijuana if he's elected.
Matt Flynn, a Milwaukee attorney and former state Democratic Party Chair, made the pledge at a Madison forum on criminal justice.
Matt Flynn
Flynn came out publicly last year in support of legalizing marijuana, though he conceded it would be hard for him to pass a legalization bill with a Republican legislature.
A governor's pardon, Flynn said, would be a different story.
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"The Legislature cannot take that power away from me," Flynn said. "The Legislature can do a lot of things that I think are wrong, but I think a good, active Democratic governor through executive orders and pardons can accomplish a lot."
Flynn said he would not pardon anyone who was also serving time for violent offenses or organized crime.
"But if it is pure possession and even multiple possessions, I will pardon them," Flynn said.
Flynn said he's not sure how many people his plan would affect.
