Denver Program Will Erase Low-Level Cannabis Offenses

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]D[/dropcap]enver, Colorado is the latest city in a string of states and municipalities to clear low-level drug offenses out of the courts after cannabis was legalized in the state.

The city’s “Turn Over A New Leaf” program will offer a series of clinics where low-level cannabis offenses that—given the current law—could be cleared. Included in that criteria are possession of less than an ounce of cannabis or cases involving hemp or cannabis paraphernalia.

There are up to 13,00 people eligible for Denver’s program, but a much smaller number is expected to participate. Participants can either submit an application through the program’s website or attend one of the clinics scheduled in upcoming months.The program is the beginning of a series of initiatives that will help communities that have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.

“It’s more than just helping people,” said District Attorney Beth McCann. “We are proactively saying to the community, in the interest of justice and fairness, we’re going to agree and the courts are going to grant motions to seal and vacate.”

“There are a lot of young men and women of color who are in this city and around the state of Colorado who today can’t get certain jobs—can’t be gainfully employed in the marijuana industry—because they have these low-level marijuana convictions on their records that today are legal,” said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.

A 2014 report found that arresting blacks disproportionately, was a common theme in municipalities where cannabis has been legalized after Amendment 64 took effect. Last year, San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago were among the first to create options for residents to clear low-level offenses.

“You know, we’ve had people who have come from outside the state of Colorado and have looked at our industry and go ‘Boy, you guys look awfully white,” Hancock said. “How do you open this opportunity up for other folks to be full participants?”

“I did not support the legalization of recreational marijuana. I’ve been very clear about that,” said Hancock. “At the end of the day, however, we legalized it, and now we need to make sure that we have a responsible and accountable policy.”