A majority of members of an elected body tasked with reviewing pardons said they are on board with Gov. Maura Healey’s plan to forgive people with cannabis possession convictions in Massachusetts.

Support from at least five of the seven Governor’s Councilors puts the proposal on a path to approval sometime in the next few weeks. Healey, a first-term Democrat, pitched the initiative Wednesday as a “sweeping” idea that has the possibility to affect “hundreds of thousands of people.”

Councilor Paul DePalo, a Worcester Democrat, said he thinks Healey’s plan is a “brave move” and should even be expanded to cover those with intent to distribute cannabis convictions.

“We are pardoning people for crimes that we don’t consider crimes now,” he told the Herald at the State House. “We’re doing it on an issue that we know disproportionately impacted poor and Black and brown communities.”

More than seven years after Massachusetts legalized the recreational use of cannabis, Healey asked the Governor’s Council to approve a blanket pardon of misdemeanor convictions for the possession of cannabis that were resolved before March 13.

The pardon does not apply to those with other cannabis-related convictions like intent to distribute or trafficking; convictions from outside the state or federal court; or continuances without a finding or other non-conviction dispositions.

Healey said the pardons would become effective immediately after the Governor’s Council votes to approve, though it could take “some time” for individual records to be updated. Most people will likely have to do nothing in order to claim the pardon, she said.

Councilor Terrence Kennedy said he “fully supports” the initiative, and like DePalo, said he also wants to see intent to distribute cannabis convictions pardoned.

“I can walk into a dispensary right now. I’ve never been into one but I could walk into a dispensary right now and somebody is going to sell me marijuana. It’s not a crime. So why should we keep it on people’s records if it’s not a crime anymore?” the Lynnfield Democrat told the Herald.

Councilor Eileen Duff, a Gloucester Democrat, said the pardons are a “great idea” and “long overdue.”

“This is something, honest to goodness, we’ve never seen before and we’ve never done,” Duff told the Herald. “We’re in uncharted territory that we will figure it out.”

Councilor Christopher Iannella also said he would support the pardons, which were “long overdue.”

“It’s going to go through the council. There’s no question about that,” Iannella said in an interview. “And like I said, it’s long overdue and I’m supporting it.”

Councilors Tara Jacobs, a North Adams Democrat, and Joseph Ferreira, a Swansea Democrat, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A Governor’s Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday afternoon was canceled prior to Healey’s announcement but the group could meet next in the coming weeks to consider the pot pardons.

Councilor Marilyn Devaney, a Watertown Democrat, said she was “shocked” by the proposal but expressed support for the idea.

“I’m going to talk to the lieutenant governor today and see how fast we can get this through,” Devaney said Wednesday morning.