In recent cannabis news, Arizona has started the process of expunging cannabis-related charges. According to High Times, the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County granted 3,643 petitions for expungement since August. Ever since the passage of Proposition 207, many Arizonians have been filing petitions. Once the filing process is complete, the court will look into scrubbing cannabis charges from their records.
There are currently many resources available to those who are looking to move past their cannabis convictions. For example, the Superior Court in Maricopa County has made this process simple via their Law Library Resource Center. According to Paula Collins, the Center Administrator, “[customers] can download the forms and instructions for free on our website and follow the instructions for the remainder of the process.”
If the court grants your request, there are three things that can happen. First, your case file and police record in regard to the conviction will be sealed. In addition, your conviction and sentence will be vacated along with any debt surrounding the charges. Finally, the court will oversee the restoration of your civil rights.
After Proposition 205’s Failure, Proposition 207 Achieves Arizona Cannabis Legalization
While this is a monumental development in Arizona’s legalization history, none of this progression would have occurred if Proposition 207 wasn’t passed. This alteration was passed in 2020 after 60% of the votes supported legalizing cannabis. The recent decision followed the failure of Proposition 205, which also dealt with cannabis legalization. Now, anyone who was convicted for the sale, growth, cultivation, or transportation of cannabis is able to file a petition.
This news follows a general trend of pro-cannabis activism. Many states across the United States are beginning to support decriminalization or legalization. While prosecutors in Arizona are rapidly working to file motions and dismiss charges, many other states have been dismissing these charges for a few years. This is an exciting trend as many states are starting to understand the cultural, financial, and societal benefits that cannabis provides.
