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 […]
marijuana crimes
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 […]
Los Angeles County to dismiss nearly 66,000 marijuana convictions
In a sweeping move, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced Thursday that her office has asked the court to dismiss nearly 66,000 marijuana convictions going back decades, CBS LA reported. In a news conference, Lacey called it the largest such undertaking in state history. “We believe it is the largest effort in California to wipe out […]
Colorado lawmakers consider bill to automatically clear past marijuana convictions
One key detail could determine whether an upcoming bill in Colorado’s statehouse stands to affect hundreds of thousands of people, or perhaps just a few hundred. State Rep. Jonathan Singer, a Democrat from Longmont, is vowing that “there will be a bill” introduced in 2020 to allow for statewide expungement of criminal records for all […]
Trump administration proposes rule denying asylum to migrants with US marijuana convictions
The Trump administration is proposing a new rule that would deny asylum to migrants who have been convicted of misdemeanors like possession of marijuana. The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security propose in a draft of the rule, which was published Thursday in the Federal Register, to expand regulations governing asylum eligibility and disqualify those convicted […]
Gov. Jay Inslee offers pardons for thousands with misdemeanor pot convictions
Gov. Jay Inslee will offer pardons to thousands of people with misdemeanor marijuana convictions, in an effort to help them move on from minor criminal records that can hinder housing and job prospects. Under the plan, Inslee will pardon anyone who has an otherwise clean criminal record but with a sole conviction as an adult […]
