California Considers Expunging Marijuana-Related Convictions

What’s the story?

• Californians who were charged with weed-related crimes may soon be able to expunge their convictions or reduce their sentences.
• Lawmakers in the Golden State passed a bill this week that would require the state Department of Justice to review cases as far back as 1975 and compile a list of individuals eligible for the erasing of their marijuana convictions.
• The legislation would apply to any pot charge that has been legalized under Proposition 64, including the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use.
• As the Associated Press explained:

"When [California] voters passed Proposition 64 in 2016 to allow adult use of marijuana, they also eliminated several pot-related crimes. The proposition also applied retroactively to pot convictions, but provided no mechanism or guidance on how those eligible could erase their convictions or have felonies reduced to misdemeanors."

What are both sides saying?

• "Individuals are having a hard time getting housing, finding jobs because of these convictions on their record that don't even need to be there anymore, that California says are no longer convictions that should be on your record," said Assemblyman Rob Bonta, a Democrat from Alameda who introduced the bill in January.
• But Republican Sen. Jim Nielsen of Gerber opposed the measure, telling his colleagues:

“This directs us to forget any prior behavior that was illegal. They should not be given a pass.”

What do you think?

Should states that legalize marijuana revisit pot-related convictions? Or should states respect federal marijuana laws? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your comments below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / Bill Oxford)