On June 14th, 2022, the AMA, also known as the American Medical Association, announced their approval for a resolution that calls for legislation to expunge cannabis arrests and convictions in states where cannabis is no longer illegal. The decision was made at the Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates in Chicago last week, with the goal to bring fairness and equality in legalizing cannabis.
While the AMA still opposes cannabis legalization, the association supports the use of public health strategies over incarceration. The AMA also acknowledges the negative consequences for those with previous cannabis convictions or arrests. There are 18 states that have legalized cannabis use for adults, and 3 dozen states that have legalized the use of medical marijuana. However, in most of those states, those with cannabis arrests or convictions prior to legalization are still having to deal with the negative effects of a criminal record. The AMA notes that a criminal record could keep young adults from obtaining housing, education, loans, and/or jobs. Even those who were able to achieve expungement are still disqualified from eligibility for public health benefits, such as health insurance.
Because of these issues, the AMA is calling for the states where cannabis is now legal to carry out automatic expunctions. Having an automatic expunction system could help people avoid the cost and hassle of having to get an expunction on their own. In addition to expunctions, the policy would also end probation, parole, or other court-ordered supervision for cannabis-related offenses that were later decriminalized or legalized.
A criminal record shouldn’t stop you from getting to where you want to be in life. If you have a criminal record and are looking to get it expunged, visit EasyExpunctions.com. We offer easy and affordable expunctions so you don’t have to spend all your time or money dealing with a lawyer.