Missouri has now expunged over 70,000 cannabis convictions, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
Since President Biden announced in October 2022 that cannabis convictions would be eligible for expungement, states across the US have been enacting the pardons.
Speaking at the time, Biden stated: “Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit. Criminal records for marijuana possession have also imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities.”
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The latest numbers, provided in an update by NORML Board of Directors Member Dan Viets, have revealed that Missouri courts had expunged an estimated 43,000 marijuana-related cases by June 2023, including over 10,000 felonies. Over the past month that number has increased to over 70,000.
Speaking in June on the matter, Viets, stated: “It is clear that many counties have made no serious effort to comply with the requirements of the Missouri Constitution. It should not be necessary to seek a court order in order to force our courts to comply with the Missouri Constitution, but if that is what is required, we may pursue that option.
“There is no reason why these counties should be dragging their feet and failing to comply with the law as passed by the voters of our state.”
