7 1 0 g u I d E | 2023 N E W T I M E S | J u l y 6 t h – J u l y 1 2 t h , 2 0 2 3 11 GeT a Clean slaTe resources for expungement of low level Marijuana offenses Courtesy of proven Media In November 2020, Prop 207 allowed the legalization, taxation, and recreational use of cannabis for adults 21 and over. This brought up the question – what about those impacted by low level marijuana offenses and convictions? Luckily, beginning July 12, 2021 the same proposition allowed the opportunity for those with past marijuana arrests or convictions to apply for expungement. Now, nearly two years later, many still don’t realize this is an option and that help is out there. what is expungement? Expungement is, “A fancy word for erasing all records of your low-level marijuana arrest and/or conviction,” according to Arizona NORML, a marijuana legalization organization. “When you ‘expunge’ your records, they get sealed, and no prying eyes will be able to find out about your past (and entirely unjust) conviction or arrest. Want opportunities you were wrongly denied? This is your chance for a clean slate.” NORML’s mission is to,” Move public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high-quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.” The national organization was founded in 1970 and its Arizona chapter was founded in 1990 by Bill Greene. who qualifies for expungement? According to the Arizona State Legislature, someone qualifies for expungement if they were arrested, charged, convicted or acquitted of any of the following offenses: • Arrests, criminal charges, and convictions relating to possession, use, or transport of up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana. • Cultivation of up to six plants at the person’s primary residence for personal use. • Possession or use of marijuana paraphernalia related to the cultivation or consumption of marijuana. “There are over 192,000 Arizona residents with marijuana charges that qualify for expungement,” says Ryan Hurley, general counsel at Copperstate Farms. Copperstate Farms’ Sol Flower dispensaries have worked with Arizona NORML to offer free expungement workshops in the past. Benefits of expungement “Low-level marijuana offenses result from harmless behavior that is now legal, but the offenses still follow people for a lifetime, causing landlords to reject housing applications, limiting opportunities to receive state licenses, and leading many employers to deny jobs to otherwise qualified applicants,” cites
