Tagged With: Past
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
Review: Thousands Of Peer-Reviewed Studies Specific To Medical Cannabis Have Been Published Over Past Decade
The total number of peer-reviewed scientific papers dedicated to cannabis, and the therapeutic use of cannabis in particular, has increased exponentially in recent years, according to data published the journal Population Health Management. Israeli researchers assessed trends in the number of scientific publications specific to cannabis as compared to all scientific publications during the years … Continue reading
California: Governor Signs Legislation Expunging Past Marijuana Convictions
Democrat Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation, Assembly Bill 1793, facilitating the review and expungement of hundreds of thousands of past marijuana convictions. The new law requires “the Department of Justice, before July 1, 2019, to review the records in the state summary criminal history information database and to identify past convictions that are potentially … Continue reading
New York: Brooklyn DA Intends To Vacate Thousands Of Past Marijuana Convictions
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez at a press conference today announced his intent to vacate over ten thousand low-level marijuana convictions. Though state lawmakers decriminalized minor marijuana possession offenses in 1977, possessing small amounts of cannabis “in public view” remains a criminal misdemeanor. City police have made several hundred thousand arrests since the late 1990s … Continue reading
California: Sonoma County District Attorney To Vacate Thousands Of Past Marijuana Convictions
The District Attorney’s Office for Sonoma County, California (population 502,000) is directing staff to review and vacate thousands of past marijuana convictions. County officials estimate that an estimated 3,000 cases are eligible for either a sentencing reduction or expungement. The Sonoma County D.A.’s actions follow those of district attorneys for Alameda County, San Diego County, … Continue reading
California: Alameda County District Attorney To Vacate Thousands Of Past Marijuana Convictions
The District Attorney for Alameda County has announced her intent to automatically vacate thousands of past marijuana convictions. Alameda County, which includes Oakland, is the 7th-most populous county in California. According to the DA’s office, there are an estimated 6,000 marijuana convictions eligible for either a sentence reduction or a dismissal. “California is offering a … Continue reading
Domestic Hemp Production More Than Doubles In Past Year
Domestic hemp production increased dramatically from 2016 to 2017, according to data compiled by the advocacy organization Vote Hemp. The group calculates that US farmers cultivated over 23,000 acres of hemp in 2017, up from fewer than 10,000 acres in 2016. Under a 2014 federal law, states may license hemp cultivation as part of a … Continue reading
Nevada: Governor Vetoes Bill Vacating Past Marijuana Convictions
Governor Brian Sandoval vetoed legislation, Assembly Bill 259, that sought to allow minor marijuana offenders to vacate and seal their past convictions. The measure stated: “If a person has been convicted of a misdemeanor for the possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana in violation of subsection 4 of NRS 453.336 or for a … Continue reading
New York: Seal Past Marijuana Possession Convictions
Update: A. 2142 has passed the state Assembly by a vote of 95 to 38. The Senate has yet to take action on its companion bill, S. 3809. Legislation (A. 2142 and S. 3809) is before the Assembly and Senate to seal the records of those who have previously been convicted of the possession of … Continue reading
Missouri: Lawmakers Take No Action On Bill Seeking To Allow For Expungement of Past Marijuana Convictions
Lawmakers took no action on House legislation that was prefiled —HB 1524 — to allow marijuana convictions to be expunged contingent upon the passage of a constitutional amendment or other statutory enactment legalizing marijuana. According to 2012 arrest data, Missouri police arrested some 18,500 people for minor marijuana possession offenses. These offenders, many of them … Continue reading
