Why it matters: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is expediting the process for expunging low-level, misdemeanor cannabis offenses after a state bill empowered him to do so. The Bibb administration is working to notify eligible people with cannabis conviction records and will file motions on behalf of those people using a $10,000 grant to help pay for filing fees related to expungement.
What they are saying: Bibb said he was moved to act after hearing from many Cleveland residents who couldn’t access housing, employment, or student loans because of collateral sanctions on their records, many of which stemmed from low-level marijuana convictions. National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) Program Director Morgan Fox applauded the mayor’s leadership on the issue and called for more leaders like him to start programs directly affecting the communities they’ve been elected to lead.
The big picture: Bibb’s proactive measures serve as an example for other leaders to follow in expunging low-level cannabis offenses and removing barriers that hindered previous attempts to do so.
What to watch: As the city of Cleveland continues to notify eligible people with cannabis conviction records and file motions on their behalf, watch for other leaders to follow Bibb’s example in expediting the process for expunging low-level cannabis offenses and helping those impacted by historical inequities.
My take: It’s heartening to see leaders like Bibb taking proactive measures to expunge low-level cannabis offenses and address the collateral sanctions that have negatively impacted so many Cleveland residents’ lives. By removing barriers and making the process simpler, he’s paving the way for other cities and states to do the same, ultimately leading to greater equity and opportunities for those impacted by historical injustices.
