Voters Hold the Key in Marijuana Convictions if Legal Pot is Approved!

June 18, 2018

Thousands of people, who have been incarcerated due to unlawful marijuana could be in line for a second chance, and it is all down to voters! The Nov. 6 election is important for a lot of reasons, and voters in Michigan could legalize the recreational use of marijuana, which could potentially turn the convictions of marijuana crimes! This could be a massive deal, because people will have their records sealed or expunged, and the voters could help thousands. 

If the vote in November is a landslide for recreational use of marijuana in the state of Michigan, then people who have been charged with nonviolent marijuana possession climes will no longer have criminal records! This bill is only designed to deal with misdemeanor convictions, which include possession of small amounts of marijuana, and in some cases growing marijuana. However, the legislation states, that the right to expunge criminal convictions can only be granted by judges. 

Second Chance at Life for Thousands 

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There are thousands of people in Michigan, who have had their lives turned upside down due to possession of marijuana. Now it seems that the power is going to be back in the hands of the people, and voters will be helping their fellow citizens by legalizing marijuana in the state. The Michigan State Police released statistics compiled in their records, which revealed that 117,123 Michiganders had been charged with misdemeanor offences and arrested in the past 5 years. Out of those arrested 49,928 had been convicted. 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) revealed national statistics, which revealed that 8.2 million people had been arrested for offenses related to marijuana from 2001 to 2010. Data compiled from the FBI also revealed that African-Americans were 3 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana crimes.  

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which oversaw the petition drive, which helped put marijuana legalization on the ballot in November, also supported the clause that called for an expungement of criminal convictions related to marijuana. There is good precedent for it, because the same thing happened in California in 2016, when voters managed to legalize weed. 

Marijuana Legalization is Freedom! 

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There have been a lot of people, who have had their dreams, careers, families, and lives destroyed due to marijuana related convictions. It is time that these people were no longer treated and seen in the public eye as criminals, because marijuana possession will no longer be a crime. There is already a lot of support behind it, and this is the logical thing to do for everyone involved. 

Even with this much support, most people in favor of marijuana legalization realize that it is a complicated topic, and one that will be challenged fiercely. However, there is hope that the voters will do the right thing in the November elections. Victory for marijuana legalization is the first step for people in Michigan, and the next step will be expungement of criminal records. Everyone is now waiting for what happens in the November elections. 

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