DETROIT — Despite Michigan citizens voting to legalize the use of recreational marijuana in November 2018, the state’s process for the expungement of past marijuana convictions has lagged behind. As the first recreational sales took place on Dec. 1, hundreds of consumers lined up to purchase products while thousands are still waiting for their low-level marijuana convictions to be expunged from their records. In response, state Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D-Detroit) issued the following statement:
“While our state’s laws have advanced to allow recreational marijuana, there are still thousands of citizens who have been convicted for actions that would no longer be considered a crime under Michigan’s new framework. As one of the sponsors of the “MI Fresh Start” bipartisan expungement package passed by the House, I am eager to see these bills progress through the Senate to ensure relief for those who have been waiting for us to act.”
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