235,000 Michiganders could have marijuana record cleared under new bill

Misdemeanors involving low-level marijuana use and possession would be automatically cleared from Michiganders’ records under a bill that will be introduced this week by Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor.

The bill would allow roughly 235,000 people to have their misdemeanor records for marijuana use and possession automatically expunged without having to go through the courts.

“We would go in through the Michigan State Police’s database and make changes to records electronically and administratively without having to go through all the time and expense of going through the courts,” Irwin said. “This is so important to a large number of people in Michigan … who when they’re applying for jobs or student loans, they’re put in a position where their record can affect their future.”

The Michigan bill is similar to action taken in California to clear low-level marijuana crimes after voters approved legalizing weed for recreational use. In Illinois, the legislature passed a bill earlier this year that, in part, will provide an automatic gubernatorial pardon of possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.

Both Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel have said they favor clearing low-level marijuana crimes from people’s records and the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, which advocates for the industry, applauded the bill. [Read more at Detroit Free Press]