85,000 marijuana convictions to be dismissed in California

MORE than 85,000 marijuana convictions, some going back decades, will be dismissed in California thanks to a pilot program that will mostly help minorities disproportionately targeted by law enforcement.

“The dismissal of tens of thousands of old cannabis-related convictions in Los Angeles County will bring much-needed relief to communities of color that disproportionately suffered the unjust consequences of our nation’s drug laws,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said.

The other counties taking part in the so-called Clear My Record program are San Francisco, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Contra Costa.

Officials say clearing the convictions will help people move on with their lives and more easily find jobs and housing in a state that legalized recreational marijuana in 2018.

“This is a clear demonstration that automatic record clearance is possible at scale, and can help to right the wrongs of the failed war on drugs,” said Evonne Silva, a senior official with Code for America.