Birmingham, AL: The mayor of Birmingham (population: 212,000) announced on Tuesday his intent to have city officials issue automatic pardons to thousands of residents with low-level marijuana convictions.
Under the newly announced policy, those convicted of marijuana possession charges in municipal court will receive blanket pardons. No further actions will need to be taken by those who are eligible for pardons, and no fees are required. It is estimated that some 15,000 Alabamans will receive blanket pardons under the program.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said: “No one should be held up by a single past mistake. No one should be denied job opportunities or freedoms due to missteps from the past. No longer will these residents be bound to their past. They deserve a chance to be part of our work force, to provide for their families and to achieve success on their own. That new life starts rights here, today, with forgiveness and redemption.”
The Mayor is also coordinating an online petition drive calling on the Alabama legislature to enact legislation decriminalizing marijuana offenses. Under state law, the possession of any amount of cannabis is classified as a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $6,000 fine.
In recent years, 18 states have enacted legislation facilitating the process of having past marijuana convictions expunged, vacated, or otherwise set aside.
For more information, contact Carly Wolf, NORML State Policies Manager.