Gov. Wes Moore made national headlines last month with his historic pardon of more than 175,000 misdemeanor cannabis convictions.

This milestone marks one of the largest state-issued pardons in U.S. history. While I applaud this step forward in the fight for criminal justice reform, it’s important we recognize there is still much more work to be done.

Moore’s pardons are a proud moment for Maryland, but they don’t erase the criminal records of those affected.

A criminal record can wreak havoc on someone’s life for decades, creating barriers to housing, employment, credit, banking and even insurance. For many, the journey to true freedom and reintegration into society requires more than a pardon — it requires the expungement of their records.

Only through expungement can people fully overcome the stigma and obstacles that a criminal record carries, allowing them to finally move forward and rebuild their lives.

More than 70 million Americans with criminal records experience employment discrimination.

When you have a criminal record on top of being born into systemic poverty, these challenges can make it nearly impossible for people to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. As the head of NCIA, an organization that works to strengthen communities by empowering people with limited opportunities, I know how hard those challenges are to overcome.

We deeply understand how Baltimore’s Black and brown communities have been marginalized by the system, leading to a disproportionate representation of these convictions. We believe in the potential of every person and actively hire people with records, training our staff to understand and create roles that leverage their unique skills and experiences.

A sustainable, well-paying job can transform the trajectory of a person’s life. Employment provides financial stability, which is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving long-term self-sufficiency. Our workforce development programs provide the necessary skills and advocacy to help people overcome these barriers. By supporting people in finding employment, we help them become active, contributing members of their communities.

Moore’s pardons address some of the injustices faced by those with cannabis convictions, but this is only the beginning. Until society acknowledges the wrongs done and the accompanying stigma, we need more than just government action. We need employers, communities and all citizens to embrace and support these people to achieve their full potential. Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. By embracing these affected people, not only do we benefit their lives, but we also create more resilient and empowered communities and strengthen our economy.

I am incredibly proud that Governor Moore and Maryland are leading the way with these historic pardons. These pardons are a significant milestone, but they are also a call to action for all of us to dismantle systemic systems and stigmas and ensure everyone has the opportunity for a second chance to lead a fulfilling life.

Carole Argo (cargo@ncianet.org) is the CEO of the Baltimore-based NCIA.