A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House aims to establish an expungement mechanism for low-level, non-felony violations of federal cannabis laws. Sponsored by Reps. Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), the Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement Act seeks to expedite the clearing of non-felony cannabis offenses in the federal system.
Rep. Carter highlighted the impact of past misdemeanors on individuals’ lives: “No one should face imprisonment simply for using or possessing marijuana. This bipartisan bill aims to restore justice to millions of Americans who have endured lasting consequences from marijuana-related misdemeanors, affecting access to education, housing, occupational licenses, and even foster parenting.”
The bill addresses concerns raised despite President Joe Biden’s pardons for federal cannabis possession crimes in 2022 and 2023, noting that pardons do not expunge records or remove them from public view.
Rep. Armstrong emphasized the importance of record expungement for individuals’ opportunities: “Carrying a low-level non-criminal petty offense on a record can severely impact a person’s life, hindering employment opportunities and more. The Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement Act offers a second chance to non-violent petty marijuana offenders, facilitating reentry and supporting a fairer society.”
Earlier this year, the Justice Department announced plans to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, a move that could take several years to implement.
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