The National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR) welcomes the introduction of the Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement Act (H.R.8917) by Congressman Troy Carter (D-LA) and Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) to create an expungement mechanism for low-level violations of federal cannabis law and provide an expedited, orderly process that clears the deck of non-felony cannabis offenses lingering in the federal system. This bipartisan bill was originally introduced in the 117th Congress by U.S. Reps. Carter and Rodney Davis (R-IL) following a 2022 Criminal Justice and Clemency Symposium on Capitol Hill hosted by NCR along with the Weldon Project's Mission Green, ASU Law's Academy for Justice, and Justice Roundtable.
"With cannabis programs established in 38 states, it is beyond unjust that individuals with minor cannabis charges continue to be punished for these previous offenses for what is now legal activity in a majority of the country," said Saphira Galoob, Executive Director of the National Cannabis Roundtable.
"Cannabis-related criminal justice reform efforts must remain at the forefront of federal reform efforts to begin to address the harms caused by decades of the misguided War on Drugs. The National Cannabis Roundtable applauds the leadership of Reps. Carter and Armstrong did just that with the introduction of the Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement Act in the 118th Congress, building on the pardons previously granted by President Biden, to break down barriers caused by prior cannabis-related convictions when individuals are seeking education, housing, and employment opportunities."
"No one should be in jail just for using or possessing cannabis. This bipartisan bill will restore justice to millions of Americans who have suffered excessive secondary consequences associated with cannabis-related misdemeanors," said Congressman Troy Carter. "These misdemeanors, even without a conviction, can restrict the ability to access educational aid, housing assistance, occupational licensing, and even foster parenting. Delivering justice for people who have been impacted by cannabis-related misdemeanors is a vital part of comprehensive cannabis reform."
"Records matter and carrying a low-level non-criminal petty offense on a record could heavily impact a person's way of life from sustaining employment to applying to new opportunities," said Congressman Kelly Armstrong. "The Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement Act gives a second chance to non-violent petty cannabis offenders after the sentence is complete and removes barriers to reentry while upholding the rule of law and supporting a more equitable society."
"While thousands of individuals with federal simple cannabis possession charges were pardoned by President Biden in 2022, the unfortunate reality is that those records still follow them even after that historic act of clemency. But Congress has the authority to provide the expungements necessary to wipe the slate clean and provide a true second chance," said Weldon Angelos, President of the Weldon Project. "Our federal cannabis and criminal justice policies must be reformed to recognize the fact that cannabis is now legal in 38 states as we continue to move towards ending prohibition. I want to thank Congressman Carter and Congressman Armstrong for introducing this bill creating a mechanism to expunge low-level violations of federal cannabis law, which will be nothing short of life-changing for countless families impacted by the War on Drugs."
"The bill is synthetic by design, drawing upon current federal law, previous congressional bills, and various secondary works," said Professor Erik Luna of Arizona State University and founder of the Academy for Justice at ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. "The goal is to create a method for expunging cannabis-related misdemeanors and other low-level offenses that is comprehensive, coherent, efficient, and just, all without threatening public safety. Along the way, the scheme seeks to capture whatever lessons can be drawn for future efforts, such as relief for federal cannabis-related felonies and federal offenses for other controlled substances, for instance, and the possibility of automatic record-clearing and general expungement provisions. The bill thereby offers a national symbol of reform that also sets the stage for further informed congressional relief."
For more information:
National Cannabis Roundtable
www.nationalcannabisroundtable.org