Missouri preparing for marijuana expungements
MISSOURI (KHQA) — In less than a month, Missouri will be the 22nd state to begin the expungement process for non-violent marijuana related offenders.
While sales will not be legal until February, Missouri is already preparing for the changes that will come after the legalization of recreational marijuana use.
“One of the most exciting things about this new law is if you have a previous marijuana conviction that’s nonviolent or didn’t involve any sales to minors, or driving under the influence, your record is automatically expunged," said Kathryn Jamboretz, communication director for Legal MO '22.
As the state looks at a potential tax revenue of $40 million annually, the legislation in place will ensure the funding is going back into Missouri
“So, right off the top the money goes to expungements, that’s to do all the back-end paperwork and then after that it will be split into three buckets, these are great things for Missouri." says Jamboretz, "Veterans’ services, things like rides and therapy. Public defenders, who are so severely underfunded across the state. And then finally to drug treatment and counseling. So, we are really pleased with the amount of money this will raise though sales tax.”
She said the criminal aspect of the law can also help ease the strain on law enforcement.
“This would take the burden off police of chasing around these low-level marijuana convictions; they could repurpose their time and energy and money of their departments focusing on real violent crimes.” she said
Low-income communities and minorities, who are often impacted the most by drug related offenses, will also benefit with the expungement process, Jamboretz said.
“It’s truly life changing." Jamboretz said "These low-level marijuana possessions follow you your entire life. Every job application you must disclose it. It can really hold down your economic prospects. And it’s really taken a toll on underserved communities. The number of wages that are being held down by these low-level convictions holding people back.”
Jamboretz hopes the expungement process for low-level possessions to be finished within the first six months - starting December 8th, 2022.
Missouri hopes to resolve over 100,000 low level possession convictions in the next year.
