Tagged With: Offenders
Washington Governor Moves To Pardon Past Marijuana Offenders
Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee today announced his intent to provide an expedited process in order to grant pardons to those with past criminal misdemeanor marijuana-related convictions on their record. It is estimated that some 3,500 individuals will have their criminal records vacated as a result of these actions. “The Governor is to be commended for … Continue reading
Philadelphia: District Attorney To Cease Prosecuting Marijuana Possession Offenders
Philadelphia officials announced today that they will no longer prosecute marijuana possession offenses. In October 2014, Philadelphia enacted a municipal ordinance reclassifying cases involving the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis to a non-summary civil offense, punishable by a $ 25 fine – no arrest and no criminal record. Since that time, annual … Continue reading
Seattle To Vacate Criminal Convictions For Former Marijuana Offenders
Following in the footsteps of San Francisco, Seattle city officials announced today that they will be vacating the criminal convictions of former marijuana offenders. Seattle’s mayor and city attorney plan to ask the courts to vacate all misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions that were prosecuted before the plant was legalized in Washington state in 2012. Between … Continue reading
Federal: Measures Pending To Restore Financial Aid Eligibility To Marijuana Offenders
Legislation is pending in the House and Senate to restore federal financial aid eligibility to minor marijuana offenders. In the House, H.R. 3561: The Fair Access to Education Act of 2015 would “exclude marijuana-related offenses from the drug-related offenses that result in students being barred from receiving Federal educational loans, grants, and work assistance, and for … Continue reading
Ohio: Governor Signs Bill Amending Driver’s License Suspension Policy For Drug Offenders
On June 13th Governor John Kasich signed legislation, Senate Bill 204, into law so that certain drug offenses are no longer punishable by a mandatory loss of one’s driver’s license. House lawmakers previously approved the legislation in a 95 to 2 vote while Senate lawmakers unanimously approved the legislation. Under previous law, any drug conviction carried a mandatory driver’s … Continue reading
