What Will Happen To Marijuana Convictions Now That It’s Legal?

A new Michigan bill would provide relief to people with low-level marijuana misdemeanor convictions. This includes convictions for marijuana use and possession of small amounts of marijuana. This law would automatically erase those convictions – people wouldn’t be forced to go through a court process to erase the convictions

The bill would also provide a path for expungement (legal word for getting rid of a conviction) through the court process.

Who Would This Help?

There are currently 235,000 Michiganders with marijuana use and low-level possession charges on their records. This is an astonishing number considering how many people have probably  received marijuana convictions but the convictions are non-public through HYTA or 7411 (legal mechanisms to make convictions non-public – these people wouldn’t need relief from this bill because their convictions are hidden from public view). Presumably, there must be many more people in addition to the 235,000 with convictions we don’t know about because the convictions are not public.

An estimated 25,000 people have more serious marijuana crimes, such as possession with intent to deliver or manufacturing or delivery of marijuana (drug dealing).

The bill has been introduced by Jeff Irwin of Ann Arbor. Other bills have been introduced that would have an effect on marijuana-type convictions. One such bill would release prisoners with marijuana convictions. Another bill would release those with marijuana crimes from probation or parole, if the marijuana crime would not now be illegal. None of these bills have advanced in the state legislature.

Call us

Call Sam Bernstein at 734-883-9584 or e-mail at bernstein@arborypsilaw.com.

Sam Bernstein is an Ann Arbor Defense Attorney focusing on Marijuana and DUI Laws

ArborYpsi Law is located at 2750 Carpenter Rd #2, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

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Fast-Changing Marijuana Laws

The law on marijuana has been in flux for the last ten years. We had medical marijuana and now marijuana has been made legal for recreational use (and we still have medical marijuana). ArborYpsi Law has covered all those changes. Stay tuned for our blog articles on updates.

Based in Washtenaw County, ArborYpsi Law does not stay in one place. We are currently representing clients faced with felony charges in Oakland, Jackson, and Livingston Counties. In addition, we are representing clients facing misdemeanor charges and traffic tickets in cities throughout Wayne and Washtenaw Counties. Our clients face a variety of charges, from selling ecstasy to felonious assault, from drunk driving to organized retail crime. We are not scared of any charge or any court. Call us to see how we can help.

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