Cleveland, Ohio, is speeding up the process of expunging records for low-level cannabis convictions and misdemeanors after a state bill unleashed the mayor’s power to do so.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, who He won office at the age of 34 As the city’s first millennial mayor, he’s reaching out again to his constituents and giving them what they asked for—cannabis erasure.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of residents who couldn’t get a job, who couldn’t get a student loan, who couldn’t get to qualify for housing because they have collateral penalties on their record, many of which stem from convictions,” Pape said. Low level marijuana.
Grants are being offered to cover filing fees and expungement clinics to make eliminations possible. “We knew we were going to have some uphill battles in the legal system,” he said.
Also called Pip’s Senate Bill 288, which was signed into law by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine this past January. The bill helps enable the City of Cleveland to provide for deletions by removing barriers that previously impeded Bibb’s attempts to expunge records even earlier.
“We’re trying to fight on behalf of our residents,” said Pep.
Now that SB 288 has been approved, Bibb and the city are free to take further action. Bibb’s administration is working to notify eligible people of cannabis conviction records. Then, the city will file applications on behalf of those people using a $10,000 grant to help pay filing fees related to the expungement and sealing of records. The city is working with organizations to host eviction clinics where people can file and close their cases, without going to court.
“Cities and counties now have a legal status to write off petty marijuana misdemeanors throughout the state of Ohio,” Pape said.
Spectrum News 1 reports Babe’s actions have been applauded by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). “During college, I got a first-hand look at the justice system after being arrested for mere possession,” said Morgan Fox, program director for NORML.
“I’d see people out there who had the same charges against me with exactly the same legal history as me, but who didn’t look like me receive much bigger sentences, whether it be bigger fines, longer probation, or even in some cases jail time, just for possession of cannabis.” Quite simply.”
Pep’s proactive actions set an example for other leaders to follow.
“I think Mayor Pepe has ever shown remarkable leadership on this issue,” Fox said. “And, you know, from a national perspective, I hope there are a lot of people like him that have been leading the way in starting these programs that directly impact the communities that they’re elected to lead.”
According to the Bibb administration, 838 people have received write-offs after his office coordinated with the Biden administration. Mayor announce He assisted in more than 4,000 court cases on April 4, aiming to seal those records. “We will continue to spread the message that the City of Cleveland is ready to help our citizens take positive steps forward in their lives,” Mayor Pepe said at the time.
The idea is to make the process simpler. “We realize that citizens do not always want to be involved in the criminal justice system, it is not always easy to use. And sometimes it is really difficult for citizens to access,” said Attorney General Akila Jordan. “We can, as a city, do this on behalf of those residents who have been negatively affected by historical injustices.”
