Department of Justice starts deletion request

Now is the time to speed up the process and get proof of pardon for low-level cannabis convictions that no longer exist today but still haunt individuals, sometimes decades later. According to a March 3 announcement, the U.S. Department of Justice is launching the request to ease the wiping process for those with low-level federal cannabis convictions.

For interested individuals, you need to collect personal information such as name, mailing address, email address, and citizenship status. You must also know the file or case number and section of code that was charged and provide copies of documents such as: B. Indictment documents (charge, complaint or criminal information) or sentencing documents. It is also important to know the exact date the penalty was imposed.

Pardons for low-level cannabis convictions were promised by President Joe Biden last October.

“Today, the Department of Justice is issuing a request for eligible persons to obtain a certificate proving they have been pardoned pursuant to President Biden’s October 6, 2022 proclamation,” the Department wrote on March 3.

“On October 6, 2022, the President announced a full, unconditional and categorical pardon for prior federal and DC offenses of simple possession of marijuana. The presidential pardon removes barriers to housing, employment and educational opportunities for thousands of people with these criminal records. President Biden directed the Justice Department to develop a process for individuals to obtain their pardons.”

The application for a pardon will be available on the Parole Attorney’s Office website. Individuals with eligible cases can submit paperwork to the Parole Attorney’s Office and receive a certificate showing that the individual was pardoned for simple possession of cannabis on October 6, 2022.

Presidential pardons can help pardoned cases by eliminating civil or legal penalties such as restrictions on voting, holding office, or serving on a jury.

The process makes proof of pardon significantly easier for people seeking licenses, bonds, or employment. President Biden said last October that the purpose of pardoning low-level cannabis convictions is to “help mitigate the consequences of those convictions.”

To be eligible for a certificate, an applicant must have been charged or convicted of simple possession of cannabis in federal court or DC superior court, and the applicant must have been a lawful resident of the United States at the time of the offense. Additionally, an individual must have been a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident on October 6, 2022.

Those convicted of state-level cannabis offenses are not eligible for pardons.

In a historic move, Biden announced on October 6, 2022 that he would pardon people with federal convictions for simple possession of cannabis and announced that he would meet US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services will be led by Xavier Becerra to initiate the process of reviewing the federal cannabis classification.

The White House statement said that under current federal law, cannabis falls under Schedule I alongside deadly drugs like fentanyl. The White House will “quickly review” the facility’s current rating.

“Like I said before, no one should be in jail for using or possessing marijuana,” Biden tweeted. “Today I am taking steps to end our failed approach. Allow me to expand.”

For more information on determining eligibility and answers to frequently asked questions, see Presidential Marijuana Possession Proclamation.