“Thousands of citizens unduly carry the undue burden and stigmatization of a past conviction for behavior that is no longer considered to be a crime. Our sense of justice and our principles of fairness demand that officials move swiftly to right the past wrongs of cannabis prohibition and criminalization.”
The move comes after Gov. Polis signed separate legislation into law earlier this year granting him the expanded authority to issue such pardons, which took effect this month.
Both measures now await final action by Republican Gov. Phil Scott.
Members of a bicameral conference committee have finalized an agreement on Senate Bill 54, legislation regulating the commercial production and retail sale of marijuana to adults.
Members of the Vermont House of Representatives preliminarily approved legislation to facilitate the automatic expungement of many past, low-level marijuana possession convictions.
Included in legislation being considered this special session are a number marijuana-related objectives which have advanced in both the Senate and House of Delegates thus far.