Pennsylvanians have one week left to clear weed convictions

gov. Tom Wolf and Lt. gov. John Fetterman want thousands of Pennsylvanians to erase their records for possession and personal use convictions.

If you live in Pennsylvania and have a minor cannabis-related charge on your record, this month is your great opportunity to set things right. But the September 30th deadline is fast approaching.

Individuals can apply for an expedited pardon through this one-time project at pa.gov/mjpardon. Once an individual has submitted their application, they will be contacted if necessary follow-up is required.

Here is how the program started

Pennsylvania Deputy Governor John Fetterman, who is running for the Democratic nomination for the US Senate for Pennsylvania, salutes supporters at a campaign stop Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in Greensburg, Pa. (AP Photo / Keith Srakocic)

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and current Lieutenant Governor and US Senate nominee John Fetterman announced that thousands of Pennsylvanians are eligible for assistance through the state’s PA Marijuana Pardon Project.

The initiative is a long-term passion of Wolf and Fetterman. It is a “one-time, large-scale pardon” that allows anyone convicted of possession of marijuana or small amounts of personal use to have their files wiped.

There is no age limit for conviction, the application process is free and entirely online.

Social justice in cannabis

The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons is accepting applications for the PA Marijuana Pardon Project from Thursday, September 1 through Friday, September 30 from PA residents billed for up to 30 grams of marijuana or eight grams of hash.

Pennsylvanians eligible for clemency are those with one or both of the following beliefs:

• Possession of Marijuana (Title 35 Section 780-113 Subsection A31)
• Marijuana, small amounts for personal use (title 35, section 780-113, subsection A31I)

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has placed legalization of recreational marijuana high on his legislative agenda for fall 2020, but has yet to see any success. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

“I have repeatedly called on our Republican-led General Assembly to support the legalization of adult marijuana, but they have yet to heed that call to action from me and the Pennsylvania people,” Wolf said in a press release.

“Until they do, I am committed to doing everything in my power to support Pennsylvania residents who have been impacted by a minor marijuana offense on their record.”

“Nobody should be denied a nonviolent weed charge on an old nonviolent weed charge for a job, apartment, or volunteering at your child’s school, especially given the fact that most of us don’t even think that this should be illegal.”

Those who are not eligible to seek clemency under this project because they have additional criminal convictions on their records are encouraged to petition for clemency using a standard application available at bop.pa.gov.

Joe Evans

Joe Evans is a journalist, writer, editor and contributor to Where’s Weed, Leafly and more with over 5,000 published articles on topics ranging from cannabis, politics, car news, sports, pop culture and even a cult. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeEvansBlogs.

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