Hawaii Houses Passes Bill to Expunge Some Criminal Records Including Low-Level Cannabis Possession
In a significant move towards criminal justice reform, the Hawaii House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would allow for the expungement of certain criminal records, including those related to low-level cannabis possession. This legislation, if signed into law, would provide a fresh start for thousands of Hawaii residents who have been hindered by their criminal records in various aspects of life, such as employment and housing.
Understanding the Bill
The bill, HB285, was passed by the Hawaii House of Representatives in March 2021. It aims to provide a pathway for individuals with certain criminal records to have their records expunged, effectively erasing these convictions from their public records. The bill specifically targets low-level cannabis possession offenses, reflecting a growing trend across the United States towards the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis.
Under the proposed law, individuals who have been convicted of possessing three grams or less of cannabis would be eligible to apply for expungement. This is a significant shift from the current law, which does not allow for the expungement of any drug-related offenses.
The Impact of the Bill
The potential impact of this bill is substantial. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), nearly half of all drug arrests in the U.S. are for cannabis possession, and these arrests disproportionately affect minority communities. In Hawaii, the ACLU reports that Native Hawaiians are 2.7 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than their white counterparts.
By allowing for the expungement of these records, HB285 could help to address some of the racial disparities in Hawaii’s criminal justice system. Moreover, it could provide a fresh start for individuals who have been hindered by their criminal records in various aspects of life, such as employment and housing.
Case Study: The Impact of Expungement
To understand the potential impact of this bill, it’s helpful to look at the experiences of other states that have implemented similar legislation. In California, for example, the passage of Proposition 64 in 2016 allowed for the expungement of certain cannabis-related offenses. According to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, individuals who had their records expunged saw a significant increase in their employment and wage prospects.
This suggests that the passage of HB285 could have a similar positive impact on the lives of Hawaii residents. By removing the stigma of a criminal record, individuals would have greater opportunities for employment and economic advancement.
Conclusion
The passage of HB285 by the Hawaii House of Representatives represents a significant step towards criminal justice reform in the state. By allowing for the expungement of certain criminal records, including those related to low-level cannabis possession, the bill could provide a fresh start for thousands of Hawaii residents. While the bill still needs to be signed into law, its passage by the House is a promising sign of progress.
By C.N.W
Keywords: Hawaii, cannabis possession, criminal records, expungement, HB285, criminal justice reform
Sources:
- Hawaii House of Representatives. (2021). HB285. Retrieved from https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=285&year=2021
- American Civil Liberties Union. (2020). A Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Era of Marijuana Reform. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/report/tale-two-countries-racially-targeted-arrests-era-marijuana-reform
- Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. (2020). The Effects of Proposition 64 on Marijuana-Related Arrests in California. Retrieved from https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/jclc/vol110/iss1/3/
