Misdemeanors involving low-level marijuana use and possession would be automatically cleared from Michiganders’ records under a new bill.
The bill was introduced this week by Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor and would allow about 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.
He added, “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.”
“Having a marijuana arrest on your record can impact your ability to get a job or even a student loan,” said association spokesman Josh Hovey. “This legislation will give back
“If you’re one of the 25,000 people who have a more serious, related cannabis crime, there would be more opportunity to seek an expungement,” Irwin said. “This bill would say, you can seek even if you have more than one conviction.”
