Legalization often comes with social justice objectives that seek to amend some of the damage that prohibition had on minority communities. Many states with legalization push marijuana tax dollars and license preferences towards these communities for the sake of reparations.
Montana, however, is seeking to do the exact opposite. Though the state voted to approve legalization last year, regulators are currently pushing for a strict new set of rules for people who want to work within the industry. They want to effectively end eligibility for anyone who has a criminal conviction within the past three years, including minor possession offenses that are now legal in the state,
The Montana Department of Revenue proposed that the following factors are grounds for suspension or revocation of worker permits: “conviction, guilty plea, or plea of no contest to a criminal offense within three years of the application or renewal.” This, unfortunately, includes “any provision of the marijuana laws,” including offenses that occurred in other states.
Advocates argue that these rules would only further encourage racial disparities, as we know that people of color have been disproportionately targeted and charged with substance-related law enforcement. Pepper Peterson of the Montana Cannabis Guild summed it up perfectly in a conversation with Marijuana Movement:
“Montana DOR just flushed restorative justice down the toilet with absurd their new rules, and to add insult to injury they want to make it harder to be a budtender or marijuana worker now when we are in the middle of an employment crisis.”
A public hearing is scheduled for November 30th. We hope that lawmakers come to understand the importance of restorative justice and the positive impact it can have on communities that have long suffered under prohibition.
If you’re tired of explaining your marijuana arrest, charge, or conviction, we may be able to help scrub it from your record entirely. Get in touch with us today to see if we can offer you a fast, affordable, and easy expunction.