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California Courts Have Sealed 90 Percent Of Eligible Cannabis

A new report from California’s state attorney general’s office has revealed that hundreds of thousands of cannabis convictions have been sealed, resentenced or dismissed since 2018.

A new report from California’s state attorney general’s office has revealed that hundreds of thousands of cannabis convictions have been sealed, resentenced or dismissed since 2018.

Following the legalisation of cannabis possession, cultivation and sales in 2016, the governor signed AB 1793 which created a process to automate clemency in 2018.

Last year, further legislation was signed giving courts until March 1, 2023 to seal records for qualifying cannabis cases that weren’t challenged by July 1 2020.

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Now, a report on the progress of this initiative has found that as of April 6, 2023, the state’s judicial system has processed relief for 206,052 out of an estimated 227,650 cannabis cases identified as eligible, equating to around 90%, Marijuana Moment reported.

“Some counties aren’t making much progress, notably Alameda, Amador, Marin and Trinity,” California NORML said in a blog post on Wednesday.

“Marked progress was seen in El Dorado, Humboldt, Kern, Madera, Napa, Riverside, Sacramento and Sutter counties, with small gains in other counties. Imperial County brings up the rear with only 7.9 percent compliance, clearing only 258 of its potential 1,767 convictions.”

TopicscaliforniaClemency

Ben Stevens

Ben is the editor of Business of Cannabis. Since 2021, he has researched, written, and published the vast majority of the outlet’s content, delivering agenda-setting journalism on regulation, business strategy, and policy across Europe.

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