Tag

Expungement

All articles tagged with #expungement

politics2 years ago

Ohio's Controversial Cannabis Legislation: Updates on Legalization and Medical Program Enrollment

The Ohio Senate Republicans have introduced a bill on legal cannabis that includes provisions for expungement and allowing existing medical dispensaries to sell recreational cannabis. However, the expungement provision is confusing and may not be effective, and the inclusion of the home-grow provision is seen as a deceptive move by the GOP. Additionally, the bill diverts tax revenue from legal cannabis to fund jails and law enforcement, undermining the social equity measures included in the voter-approved statute. Critics argue that the bill is a giveaway to law enforcement and lacks transparency.

politics2 years ago

McCarthy's Secret Promise to Trump: Expunging Impeachments

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy denies making a promise to former President Donald Trump that the House would hold a vote before the August recess on expunging Trump's past impeachments. McCarthy has previously expressed support for symbolic resolutions seeking to expunge the impeachments, but the measure lacks enough GOP votes to pass. The resolutions, introduced by Reps. Elise Stefanik and Marjorie Taylor Greene, aim to expunge Trump's first and second impeachments. However, the expungement resolutions cannot undo the impeachment votes, as they would still remain in the congressional record. McCarthy's neutrality in endorsing Trump has been a point of contention between the two.

politics2 years ago

"McCarthy's Secret Promise to Erase Trump's Impeachment Sparks Controversy Among GOP Centrists"

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy denies making a deal with Donald Trump to expunge his impeachment record, as a bloc of House GOP centrists express skepticism or opposition to any vote aimed at symbolically rescinding Trump's impeachments. Swing district Republicans question the purpose of a vote solely to help Trump and express doubts about its legality. McCarthy faces challenges in managing a conference closely tied to the former president, as failing to hold the vote risks antagonizing Trump, while forcing the issue puts purple-district Republicans in a difficult position. Some Republicans question the timing and purpose of the expungement push, while others say they have not heard much about the resolutions coming up for a vote.

politics2 years ago

"McCarthy's Secret Promise to Trump: Expunging Impeachments Denied"

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy privately expressed support for expunging former President Donald Trump's two impeachments during a call with Trump, but did not promise to bring it to a vote on the House floor. McCarthy has been trying to mend his relationship with Trump after a recent interview in which he did not fully endorse Trump's 2024 presidential bid. However, it is unlikely that there are enough votes to pass an expungement resolution, and it is unclear if expunging an impeachment is even possible. Trump's allies have been pushing for a House vote to expunge the impeachments, but the procedural consequences and effectiveness of such a resolution remain uncertain.

politics2 years ago

Kevin McCarthy's Shifting Defense of Trump and Jan. 6 Investigation

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy made a promise to former President Donald Trump to expunge the two impeachments against him in order to calm Trump's anger over McCarthy's suggestion that he may not be the GOP's best presidential nominee in 2024. However, McCarthy's promise has put him in a bind, as several moderate House Republicans are reluctant to revisit Trump's impeachments, especially the charges related to the January 6 attack on the Capitol. McCarthy's own leadership team is divided on the matter, and it remains unclear whether an expungement vote would have enough support to pass the House. Trump's team plans to hold McCarthy accountable for his promise, but McCarthy has already pushed back the timeline for the vote.

politics2 years ago

Clean Slate Act approved in New York to seal criminal records.

The Clean Slate Act, a bill that would automatically expunge certain criminal records in New York, has been passed by lawmakers and sent to Governor Kathy Hochul for signature. The bill would allow for the automatic sealing of certain convictions after a certain period of time has passed, and would also allow for the expungement of certain marijuana-related offenses. The legislation is part of a broader push for criminal justice reform in the state.

politics2 years ago

Minnesota Legislature Approves Recreational Marijuana Legalization

The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older. The bill will allow people to carry up to 2 ounces of marijuana in public and possess up to 2 pounds at home, as well as grow home plants. However, selling the product without a state license could result in criminal penalties and civil fines. The bill would also automatically expunge low-level cannabis convictions and set up a board to consider expungement or resentencing of felony crimes. The measure will now head to Democrat Gov. Tim Walz's desk for signature.

marijuana-legalization2 years ago

Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Passes in Minnesota Senate and House.

Minnesota lawmakers have passed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana for adults over 21, making it the 23rd state to do so. The bill includes a 10% tax on cannabis products, possession limits, and automatic expungement of records for those convicted of misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor possession. Retail sales at dispensaries are expected to be at least a year away. The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who has pledged to sign it into law.

politics2 years ago

Minnesota Senate Passes Recreational Marijuana Bill, Awaits Governor's Signature

The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill legalizing recreational cannabis, which now awaits Governor Walz's signature. The law will take effect in August, and related misdemeanors will be expunged. Minnesotans must be 21 to buy marijuana, and there will be a 10% sales tax. While it will take time to set up dispensaries, Minnesotans will be able to possess and even home-grow a certain amount of the plant. Republicans raised concerns about exacerbating drug and behavioral health crises, but Democrats emphasized the bill's extensive measures for safety, education, and prevention.

politics2 years ago

Minnesota Senate Passes Bill to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Minnesota is set to become the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana after the state Senate approved legislation allowing adults over 21 to carry up to 2 ounces of marijuana in public and possess up to 2 pounds at home. The bill also includes automatic expungement of low-level cannabis convictions and a board to consider expunging and resentencing felony cannabis convictions. Governor Tim Walz is expected to sign the legislation, but it may take months or even years to complete the process of expunging tens of thousands of cannabis convictions. There may also not be licensed dispensaries for up to 18 months as a new state agency sets up the legal market.

politics2 years ago

Minnesota Legislature Approves Recreational Marijuana Bill, Awaits Governor's Signature

Minnesota is set to become the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana after the state Senate approved a bill that would allow adults aged 21 and over to possess up to two ounces of marijuana flower in public and two pounds at home starting August 1. The bill would also establish an Office of Cannabis Management to regulate and oversee the sale of cannabis products in the state. The legislation would also expunge low-level marijuana convictions and establish a review board to determine eligibility for higher-level offenses. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has said he plans to sign the bill into law.

politics2 years ago

Minnesota Senate Passes Recreational Marijuana Bill, Awaits Governor's Signature.

The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, making it the 23rd state to do so. The bill also includes automatic expungement of low-level cannabis convictions and sets up a board to consider expungement or resentencing of felony crimes. A new state Office of Cannabis Management will be established to implement the new rules and regulations to shift an illicit market into state-licensed businesses throughout the state. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz and will take effect on August 1.

politics2 years ago

Minnesota on the Verge of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana and Sports Betting.

The Minnesota House of Representatives has approved a marijuana legalization bill, sending it to the Senate for a final vote before it reaches the governor's desk. The legislation allows adults aged 21 and above to purchase and possess up to two ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to eight plants at home. The bill also promotes social equity by ensuring diverse licensing and expunging prior marijuana records. The Senate is expected to take up the measure soon, and the governor has pledged to sign it.

marijuana-legalization2 years ago

Maryland Governor Signs Bills for Cannabis Reform, Abortion Protection, and Health Care Access.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed a bill to regulate marijuana sales, setting the stage for statewide legalization. The law will tax cannabis at nine percent, with medical marijuana sales exempt from the tax. Thirty-five percent of marijuana tax revenue will go toward a community reinvestment fund, with counties, a Cannabis Public Health Fund, and a Cannabis Business Assistance Fund each getting another five percent. The legislation will end sales of delta-8 hemp products on the broad market, instead requiring that any intoxicating cannabis products be done through licensed marijuana businesses. Past convictions for conduct made legal under the proposed law will be automatically expunged, and people currently serving time for such offenses will be eligible for resentencing.

politics2 years ago

"Minnesota's Marijuana Legalization Sparks Concerns Over Criminal Records and Taxation"

Minnesota lawmakers are proposing ways for people to get marijuana offenses cleared through a process called expungement or sealing records. The legislation aims to make sealing marijuana records a simpler process. Criminal records can follow people for a lifetime, costing them jobs, housing, and more. The bill would automatically expunge possession misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors, as long as the offense was nonviolent. The bill also creates a new governmental Cannabis Expungement Board to review all felony marijuana records to determine if they’re eligible for expungement, a lesser sentencing, a vacated conviction, or dropped charges.