Tag: marijuana law District of Colombia

Legislators Approve Bill to Automatically Expunge Marijuana Records January 5, 2023 The City Council for the District of Columbia has sent legislation to the mayor for approval after a unanimous vote to approve the measure. This legislation includes the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2021, including the call for automatic expungement of some marijuana possession records. Once signed, it would require the automatic review and expungement of specific marijuana-related offenses since the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. Furthermore, it mandates these expungements to complete by January 1, 2025. In the District of Columbia, voters approved the legalization of possessing a limited amount of cannabis and home cultivation. This success led to the passing of a municipal initiative in 2014. The year after this initiative, arrests related to marijuana dropped by approximately ninety-nine percent. Before its passing, the District of Columbia had one of the country's highest per capita arrest rates for marijuana-related offenses. The bill will initiate the expungement of all records related to simple possession of any quantity of marijuana in violation of D.C. Code § 48-904.01(d)(1) before February 15, 2015, and since the legalization or decriminalization. These records include all court proceedings and criminal records related to arrests, charges, convictions, or citations for the commission of a criminal offense previously considered unconstitutional by the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia or the Supreme Court of the United States. If the mayor signs, the District of Columbia will join several other states that have passed laws allowing individuals to set aside or expunge records of low-level marijuana convictions. Many governors and elected officials in several states have issued pardons to individuals with low-level marijuana convictions. However, these pardons do not expunge the records. Nevertheless, an increasing number of states have either passed laws that automatically expunged these records, or given individuals a way to have the records expunged or sealed. These laws remove convictions from individuals' records for offenses that many Americans no longer consider a crime. This changed outlook gives many individuals more opportunities for jobs and housing. As for the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2021, it will undergo a 30-day Congressional review if the mayor signs it. Afterward, it may become law. With the changes around marijuana-related convictions and the general population's improved outlook on the matter, employers should review their hiring practices. For example, they should consider the necessity of considering marijuana convictions during the hiring process. One of the best ways to determine when to consider an offense is by working with a trusted screening provider. The right provider will stay updated on the ever-changing regulations and ensure your practices comply when the new law goes into effect. Keep your business up to date on new laws and regulations with Pre-employ’s free news resources. Contact a sales rep today. Source

Tag: marijuana law District of Colombia

Legislators Approve Bill to Automatically Expunge Marijuana Records

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