A state lawmaker says people with misdemeanor marijuana convictions should have their records cleared automatically now that Michigan has legalized it. Rick Pluta reports.
Voters last year legalized marijuana for recreational use in Michigan. State SenatorJeff Irwin is a Democrat from Ann Arbor. He says 235,000 people in Michigan have been convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana.
“And I thought it was important for the Legislature to take the next step and provide relief for the many thousands of Michigan residents who still have a record for something that’s now legal.”
Under Irwin’s bill, people with more serious marijuana convictions would have to petition a court rather than having their records automatically cleared. GovernorGretchen Whitmer says she’s open to the idea. The state Senate’s Republican leaders have not taken a position yet.
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org
