How Marijuana Pardons Affect Employee Background Checks

by Danielle Dwyer and Jesse Stavis

On Oct. 6, 2022, President Joe Biden issued a blanket pardon to all citizens and lawful permanent residents convicted of simple possession of marijuana under the federal Controlled Substances Act. The move reflects a shift in attitudes towards low-level drug offenses, and should serve as an impetus to employers to review their policies on criminal record checks.

Because marijuana possession offenses predominantly fall under the jurisdictions of the states, not the federal government, the immediate impact of these pardons is limited. Only about 6,500 people have been convicted for simple possession under federal law and a few thousand more have been convicted under the Code of the District of Columbia.

Read more: https://www.duanemorris.com/articles/marijuana_pardons_affect_employee_background_checks_0223.html

New bill takes aim at California’s slow progress clearing pot convictions

by Kiera Feldman - Los Angeles Times

California would set new deadlines to dismiss and seal many cannabis convictions under a bill introduced Wednesday aimed at redressing anti-drug laws that disproportionately targeted communities of color.

The move comes two weeks after a Times investigation found that tens of thousands of Californians are still stuck with felonies, misdemeanors and other cannabis convictions on their records. Despite a 2018 law that required the state to clear cannabis convictions, many courts have been slow to process cases, The Times found.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-01-26/lawmaker-moves-to-fix-delays-in

As more states legalize marijuana, people with drug convictions want their records cleared

by Courtney Vinopal - PBS News Hour

Michael has struggled with kidney disease since he was in his early 20s serving in the military. The high stress of the job ultimately put him in the hospital, and he was not able to return to the service due to his condition. The 37-year-old Virginia Beach resident, who requested his name be changed because of concerns about retaliation from future employers, said that a nurse mentioned during that hospital stay that marijuana could help alleviate many of his symptoms, like nausea and vomiting. But at the time, the substance was not legal in Virginia.

Read more: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/as-more-states-legalize-marijuana-people-with-drug-convictions-want-their-records-cleared

Legislature approves automatic expungement bills

by David Eggert - Associated Press

LANSING — Michigan would automatically expunge criminal records and ease the application process for those convicted of marijuana offenses under sweeping "clean slate" bills that received final legislative approval Thursday.

Read more: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/government/legislature-approves-automatic-expungement-bills