We’ll cut to the chase: if you are a resident of this Commonwealth and have a past conviction for a non-violent marijuana offense, now is the time to contact a Pennsylvania pardon attorney to apply for a pardon.
Governor Wolf’s desire to legalize recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania is no secret. To that end, in the Fall of 2019, the Governor announced a new expedited process for citizens with past non-violent marijuana offenses to obtain a pardon in Pennsylvania.
Unlike the traditional pardon review process, which focuses heavily on the age of the conviction, pardons for marijuana charges are granted based primarily on the applicant’s showing that the pardon will improve his or her overall quality of life. That means that even recent convictions of marijuana offenses are eligible for a pardon through the expedited process.
Importantly, the expedited Pennsylvania pardon process is not limited to the charge of possession of marijuana for personal use. Convictions for felony possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance (marijuana only), possession of drug paraphernalia, and marijuana related DUIs incurred by medical marijuana cardholders are also eligible for an expedited pardon.
Possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia are misdemeanors under Pennsylvania law, and possession with the intent to deliver marijuana is a felony. Without a pardon, misdemeanor and felony convictions cannot be expunged – although certain misdemeanors may be “sealed” after 10 years.
However, if your application for a pardon is granted, you may then file a Petition for Expungement in the Court where your conviction occurred and ultimately the charges will be forever cleared from your record.
The expedited Pennsylvania pardon process is an extremely positive development for individuals seeking to clear their criminal record.
Contact our office today to speak with one of our Pennsylvania pardon attorneys!
