Over 2.3 Million Cannabis Convictions Pardoned in U.S. Since 2018

LOS ANGELES- In a significant move towards criminal justice reform, U.S. state courts have pardoned or expunged over 2.3 million cannabis-related convictions since 2018, with about half a million cases resolved in the last year alone. This data, revealed in an updated analysis by NORML, underscores the shifting legal landscape around cannabis in the United States.

The NORML report highlights the extensive efforts undertaken by state courts to address past cannabis convictions, reflecting a nationwide trend towards the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis. Illinois leads the way with approximately 800,000 convictions sealed, followed closely by New Jersey and Virginia, each clearing over 300,000 cases. California and New York have each expunged around 200,000 convictions, among other states implementing similar policies.

While expungement, which involves sealing past convictions from public view, has been the primary method of relief, about 100,000 individuals have received pardons for cannabis offenses, granted by elected officials such as governors or the President.

In December, President Joe Biden reiterated his call for state governors to pardon state-level cannabis possession charges. This appeal aligns with his October 2022 initiative, where he pardoned all federal convictions for simple cannabis possession. The President, however, has not extended these actions to commute sentences for those currently incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses.

NORML’s Deputy Director, Paul Armentano, commented on the necessity of these actions, stating, “Hundreds of thousands of Americans unduly carry the burden and stigma of a past conviction for behavior that most Americans, and a growing number of states, no longer consider to be a crime.” He emphasized the urgency for public officials and courts to rectify the injustices of cannabis prohibition and criminalization.

This wave of legal adjustments comes as public opinion increasingly favors cannabis legalization, with recent polls indicating that 70% of Americans support federal legalization of cannabis. The report and ensuing actions by state courts and elected officials mark a significant step in addressing the historical impact of cannabis criminalization on millions of Americans.