New legislation in Baton Rouge would allow Louisianians to expunge cannabis-related crimes from their records.
House Bill 774, filed by Rep. Cedric Glover, the former mayor of Shreveport, would allow those convicted of misdemeanor charges involving cannabis possession to have their records expunged and the fees waived, according to a FOX 8 report.
In August 2021, a decriminalization law took effect in Louisiana that removed the threat of jail time and reduced the maximum penalty to a $100 fine for first-time offenders convicted of possessing up to 14 grams of cannabis.
Glover also sponsored the legislation behind that law, House Bill 652.
The Legislature has also been working to expand the state’s medical cannabis program; a new law took effect Jan. 1 that allows patients to access flower, while lawmakers are currently considering legislation that would increase the number of cultivation and pharmacy licenses, as well as allow nurse practitioners to recommend medical cannabis to patients.
The Louisiana Legislature convened March 14 for the 2022 legislative session and will adjourn June 6.
