CANNABIS EXPUNGEMENT & SOCIAL EQUITY REPORT

Policies surrounding expungements for cannabis-related offenses and felonies vary significantly from state to state, reflecting the diverse approaches taken by individual jurisdictions in response to evolving attitudes towards cannabis legalization and criminal justice reform. Some states have implemented automatic expungement processes, where certain cannabis-related convictions are expunged without the need for individuals to petition the court, while others require individuals to navigate complex and often costly legal procedures to have their records cleared. Additionally, the criteria for eligibility for expungement, the types of offenses that qualify, and the timeline for processing expungement petitions differ widely across states. This patchwork of policies underscores the need for a comprehensive and uniform approach to expungement at the federal level, ensuring that individuals affected by outdated cannabis laws have equitable access to relief and the opportunity to move forward without the burden of past convictions hindering their opportunities for employment, housing, and other essential aspects of life.