The governor’s office and Senate leaders are nearing an agreement that would remove criminal charges associated with underage marijuana possession and use, a deal that all sides hope will be the last one required before Gov. Phil Murphy signs the bills to legalize weed in New Jersey. While negotiations are continuing, legislative sources said Monday that a deal […]
marijuana crimes
Illinois starts new year by expunging nearly 500,000 marijuana arrest records
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said in an announcement hours before the start of the new year that his state had expunged nearly 500,000 marijuana-related convictions. The move follows Pritzker signing legislation in 2019 legalizing recreational marijuana use in the state starting in 2020. The expansive legislation also paved the way for 770,000 state residents to be […]
House will vote on cannabis legalization bill in December
A bill to remove federal penalties on marijuana and scrap some cannabis-related records will receive a vote on the House floor in December, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. In a letter to colleagues Monday, Hoyer outlined the legislative schedule for the lame-duck session in November and December. “The House will vote on the MORE Act to decriminalize […]
N.J. should stop marijuana possession arrests now that voters have OK’d legal weed, top lawmaker says
New Jersey’s most powerful lawmaker asked the state’s top cop Monday to halt all marijuana possession arrests since residents voted overwhelmingly for legalization. “No one should be arrested and face criminal charges for possession of minimal amounts of marijuana now that the people have spoken,” state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, said in a statement. State […]
Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs ‘clean slate’ bill to expunge petty marijuana-related offenses from criminal records
Nearly two years after Michigan residents approved the legalization of marijuana, residents convicted of many pot-related crimes now have an opportunity to clear the offenses from their criminal record. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of bills on Monday that provides a fresh start for up to 235,000 Michigan residents with pot-relate convictions. Marijuana convictions […]
Vermont House Votes to Approve Marijuana Expungements by Wide Margin
The Vermont House on Friday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would automatically expunge thousands of low-level marijuana convictions and allow people to possess and grow twice as much of the drug without being charged with a crime. The two cannabis-related measures were included in a miscellaneous judiciary bill that passed the chamber by […]
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis says pardons for marijuana convictions can start in 90 days
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law Monday that allows him to mass-pardon Coloradans with minor marijuana possession convictions, although he has not said exactly how the process will work. Lawmakers passed House Bill 1424 on June 15, the last day of the 2020 legislative session. The bill aims to make the legal marijuana industry […]
Colorado lawmakers let governor mass-pardon marijuana possession convictions
The governor would be able to mass-pardon marijuana convictions for possession of 2 ounces or less if he signs a bill that gives him that authority. It was the last amendment to the last bill considered Monday before Colorado’s General Assembly ended its work for the year. Lawmakers added the mass expungement option to House Bill 1424, which […]
Nevada governor announces plans to pardon small marijuana possession convictions
A resolution being drafted by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak would pardon tens of thousands of people who have been convicted for possessing small amounts of marijuana, according to a statement posted to Twitter Thursday. “If approved, this resolution will clear the slate for thousands of people who bear the stigma of a conviction for actions that […]
A prior marijuana conviction could be a good thing for owners of Michigan pot businesses
A previous marijuana-related conviction could help entrepreneurs hoping to open a recreational marijuana business in Michigan. Michigan officials are trying to attract a wider variety of businesses to the booming recreational marijuana industry, not just those with deep pockets. The Marijuana Regulatory Agency, a subdivision of the state Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Administration that regulates […]
