The criminal justice reform bill released by the Massachusetts House on Monday would let individuals convicted of marijuana possession completely expunge their records.
"People will be able to expunge their record if they were ever prosecuted for possession of marijuana," said Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez, D-Boston, House chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.
The marijuana provision is just one aspect of a more significant change: the bill would create a process for the first time for a criminal record in Massachusetts to be expunged.
STATE BY STATE: Massachusetts Cannabis News
Today, records in Massachusetts can only be sealed. A sealed record is still available to law enforcement, probation officers, the court, licensing agencies such as for someone applying for gun, and other agencies allowed by state law.
Someone convicted of marijuana possession can petition a judge to have their record sealed.
Top photo: © Andrey Popov | iStockPhoto.com
