Lawmakers Revive Plan to Let Oregonians Expunge Past Marijuana Convictions

Lawmakers are considering ways to let people expunge their past marijuana convictions from their criminal records.

WW first reported in February that Rep. Lew Frederick (D-Portland) had introduced a bill to do so, but that measure is dead for this session.

Now, the idea is being revived by the House-Senate committee reviewing the effects of Measure 91, the voter-approved initiative that will make pot legal later this year.

Co-chairwoman Rep. Ann Lininger (D-Lake Oswego) wants to tack the provision on to an omnibus pot bill.

She says people could erase convictions for growing, selling or possessing weed, as long as the crimes occurred at least three years ago and didn't involve a violent crime.

"We need to figure out a way," Lininger says, "to deal with this piece of collateral damage from the war on drugs."

WWeek 2015

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