By Maureen Meehan<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Congressmen\u00a0Troy\u00a0A.\u00a0Carter, Sr.\u00a0(D-LA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL)\u00a0introduced bipartisan legislation on Friday that\u00a0would create a mechanism for federal misdemeanor marijuana offenses to be expunged, amid a new push for decriminalization at the federal level.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce\u00a0The\u00a0Marijuana Misdemeanor Expungement\u00a0Act<\/a>, bipartisan legislation that will restore justice to millions of Americans who have suffered inordinate collateral consequences associated with marijuana-related misdemeanors,\u201d said Congressman Carter in a press release. \u201cThese misdemeanors \u2014 even without a conviction \u2014 can result in restrictions to peoples\u2019 ability to access educational aid, housing assistance, occupational licensing and even foster parenting. Delivering justice for our citizens who have been impacted by marijuana-related misdemeanors is a key component of comprehensive cannabis reform.\u201d<\/p>\n Illinois Congressman Davis\u00a0added,\u00a0\u201cGiven the number of states, like Illinois, where marijuana has long been legalized for adult use, we must ensure that our criminal justice system keeps pace so that individuals with low-level misdemeanor violations related to its use does not preclude them from getting jobs and participating in society.\u201d<\/p>\n Cannabis reform advocates,\u00a0including\u00a0Weldon Angelos<\/a>,\u00a0founder and president of the Weldon Project,\u00a0Roz McCarthy<\/a>,\u00a0founder and CEO of Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana\u00a0and\u00a0Dr. Chanda Macias<\/a>,\u00a0CEO of National Holistic Healing Center\u00a0shared their support for the legislation.<\/p>\n \u201cFor far too long, millions of Americans have been affected by the lifelong consequences of marijuana-related convictions on their record for simply possessing a small quantity of cannabis,\u201d said\u00a0Angelos who called the bill life-changing for so many people and their families.<\/p>\n McCarthy called the bill landmark legislation\u00a0that will allow thousands of Americans to move forward with their lives and\u00a0maximize\u00a0their full potential. \u201cAddressing the\u00a0negative societal & economic effects permeated\u00a0by marijuana prohibition at both the federal and state level will be critical as we seek to deliver comprehensive cannabis reform in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED: Federal Cannabis Prohibition Has Failed, Sen. Booker Says During Senate Hearing<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Chanda Macias\u00a0said it is\u00a0unacceptable that those who have been convicted of low-level marijuana offenses, often disproportionately black and brown people, continue to have convictions hanging over their heads, \u201cespecially as cannabis legalization, research, and reform efforts are more supported by the American people than ever before.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED: Schumer Touts \u2018Overwhelming Evidence\u2019 That Cannabis Legalization Doesn\u2019t Increase Crime<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The chief justice\u00a0would have one year\u00a0upon enactment of the bill to promulgate procedural rules for expungement. Each federal district would have up to two years to \u201cconduct a comprehensive review and issue an order expunging, sealing, and sequestering\u201d pursuant to those rules.<\/p>\n Angelos, McCarthy and Macias will all be at the upcoming\u00a0Benzinga Cannabis\u00a0Capital Conference<\/a>\u00a0in Chicago, Sept. 13-14. Join us there and meet these extraordinary marijuana reform advocates and\u00a0many more<\/a>.<\/p>\n This article originally appeared on Benzinga<\/a> and has been reposted with permission.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"marijuana](\"https:\/\/thefreshtoast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/marijuana-arrest-e1652198347579.jpg\")
Cannabis Reform Advocates Approve<\/strong><\/h3>\n