New Jersey lawmakers are demonstrating an eagerness to reform the state's justice system by granting over 362,000 expungements for New Jerseyites with low-level cannabis convictions, with hundreds of thousands more on the way.
When it comes to outdated marijuana policies, decriminalization is merely the tip of the iceberg. New Jersey lawmakers are demonstrating an eagerness to reform the state's justice system by granting over 362,000 expungements for New Jerseyites with low-level cannabis convictions, with hundreds of thousands more on the way.
Marijuana policies require more than slight tweaks. States often tease citizens with decriminalization laws and promises of legalization, yet leave their people to withstand the hardships that come with having a criminal record. Individuals previously charged with selling or possessing small amounts of marijuana must be considered when establishing better cannabis policies, because even one conviction will follow them when they apply for jobs, housing, and occupational licenses.
Statistics also show disproportionate rates of cannabis-related arrests in Black communities. These new decriminalization policies do not restore justice for the people, it's just another way for lawmakers to disguise the bare minimum as progress. Without accessible expungement, decriminalization will not put an end to the cycle of incarceration, homelessness, and poverty. It will hardly even slow it down.
New Jersey advocates and lawmakers expressed hope that another 150,000 expungements will come very soon for New Jerseyites with cannabis convictions, setting a standard for other states to follow. New Jersey attorney Chirali Patel recently spoke about the rapid expungements within the state:
"Decriminalization and legalization are trying to work hand-in-hand,of course, this is just one step. Dealing with the collateral damage of having had a record ,it still prevented them from so much. They're finally going to be getting to the starting line."
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