A 23-member task force has issued explicit policy recommendations to Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham regarding the legalization and regulation of cannabis. The Press Secretary for the Governor says, “The next steps will be to incorporate the recommendations of this working group into balanced legislation and working to win the support of legislators and stakeholders ahead of the session.”
Category: Expungement
Pennsylvania: Expedited Pardon Process Now Available for Those with Low-Level Cannabis Convictions
The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons has created an expedited process to review and grant pardon applications for those with marijuana-related records. “These people have done no harm to anyone else,” Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman said. “They shouldn’t continue to suffer with employment and housing issues because they were convicted of doing something that most Pennsylvanians don’t even think should be illegal.”
Illinois: Clemency Available for 0 to 30 Grams, Expungement Available for Convictions of 30 to 500 Grams
Illinois has an estimated 770,000 marijuana related criminal records which are now eligible for clemency by Governor Pritzker.
New York: New Law Reducing Marijuana Possession Penalties Takes Effect Today
Legislation reducing marijuana possession penalties and facilitating the expungement of past cannabis convictions took effect today.
Arizona NORML, Partners File 2020 Statewide Legalization Initiative
A coalition of activist groups, including Arizona NORML, the Drug Policy Alliance, and the state chapter of the ACLU, have filed language with the Secretary of State seeking to legalize the adult use and dispensing of cannabis.
NAACP Denver and Minorities for Medical Marijuana Tackle Social Equity
Members of NAACP Denver and Minorities for Medical Marijuana join forces to address the lack of diversity and need for social equity within the marijuana industry.
Delaware: Law Signed Reducing Marijuana Penalties for Juvenile Offenders
Democratic Gov. John Carney has signed legislation amending criminal penalties for juveniles who violate the state’s marijuana possession laws.
Historic: Judiciary Committee Chairman Introduces Bill To End Federal Marijuana Prohibition
Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (NY) introduced The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act.
New Hampshire: Governor Signs Marijuana Annulment Measure
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has signed legislation into law establishing procedures permitting those with prior, low-level marijuana convictions to petition the court to have their convictions annulled. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2020.
Hawaii: Measure Decriminalizing Minor Marijuana Possession Becomes Law Absent Governor’s Signature
Democratic Gov. David Ige failed to take action on legislation decriminalizing low-level marijuana possession offenses, thereby allowing the measure to become law without his signature. The new law takes effect on January 11, 2020.