In 2016, the New Orleans City Council passed an ordinance to “decriminalize” cannabis possession, replacing possible jail time with a modest fine. Advocates hoped the tickets issued would not count as a conviction for purposes of collateral consequences — such as related to student loans and job applications. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.
In a Presidents Day push, Congressional Cannabis Caucus co-chairs, Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Barbara Lee, announced they are sending a formal letter to the Biden administration requesting mass clemency for people with non-violent federal cannabis convictions.
The first round of pardon applications, which you can access here, will be accepted until Aug. 10
Great news! In a unanimous decision last week, North Dakota's Pardon Advisory Council voted to allow individuals previously convicted of certain marijuana crimes to apply to have those offenses pardoned.
The new policy, supported by Gov. Doug Burgum and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, will wipe the slate clean — free of charge — for thousands of North Dakota residents with marijuana possession convictions…
