Minnesota Expunges Nearly 58,000 Criminal Record for Cannabis Possession

Minnesota, one of the newest states to legalize recreational cannabis use for adults over 21, is ahead of other states in clearing cannabis-related offenses under the Adult Marijuana Act.

Just nine months after the law went into effect, the state has expunged tens of thousands of minor cannabis-related convictions. According to a press release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, criminal convictions eligible for expungement under the new law are no longer publicly visible in the Minnesota Criminal History System (CHS).

About three months ahead of schedule, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCA) expunged 57,780 records, while the state Supreme Court ruled that 213 records should not be expunged.

Quick Actions to Eliminate Crimes After Legalization in Minnesota

BCA Chief Drew Evans expressed satisfaction with the quick removal of the records, stating: “Minnesotans will see changes to their records immediately, with additional removals expected to be implemented in the coming months and years.”

The Adult Marijuana Act, which went into effect on August 1st, 2023 , decriminalizes the possession, use and cultivation of cannabis in homes for adults over 21 years of age. It allows the possession of up to 900 grams of cannabis in a private place, eight grams of cannabis concentrates and edibles containing a total of up to 800 mg of THC. Additionally, it allows you to grow up to eight plants, with a maximum of four mature ones, provided they are kept in a closed, private place.

Following the introduction of the regulations, BCA identified records eligible for automatic deletion, updating the system to hide these records from public view.

Currently, lawmakers and cannabis industry professionals are preparing for the launch of Minnesota’s recreational market, initially scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, although finalizing regulations and licensing could extend that deadline.

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(Featured image by standuppaddle via Pixabay)

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