R.I.: Ask lawmakers to support automatic expungement for past cannabis offenses

Tomorrow, the House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on an automatic expungement bill.

Tomorrow at 6:00 p.m., state lawmakers are holding a public hearing on H 5307 (along with several other bills) in the House Judiciary Committee.

This legislation, introduced by Rep. Anastasia Williams and co-sponsored by other members of the House, would direct the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies to expunge all past misdemeanors and felony cases involving cannabis. Individuals would not be required to pay any fees to have their records cleared.

Arrest records for cannabis possession can be a long-term barrier to housing, employment, and vital services. This legislation would positively impact the lives of tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders who have prior cannabis possession convictions.

Please support H 5307 by emailing supportive testimony to HouseJudiciary@rilegislature.gov. Be sure to include your name, the bill number, and your viewpoint (“support”) at the top of the message. You must submit your email testimony by 3:00 p.m. tomorrow. You can also testify during the hearing by phone if you sign up here by 11:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.

If you or someone you know has experienced hardship as a result of a prior cannabis arrest, please consider testifying in support of this important legislation.

Thank you.