By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – There’s room for improvement – says one state lawmaker – in Illinois’ recreational marijuana program.
A bill from State Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) would expunge the records of more people whose crimes then are not crimes now. His bill would make it easier for people with a police record of pot to get a job or a place to live.
“Ideally, I would like all cannabis-related convictions to be expunged,” said Evans. “If you have a cannabis conviction that is a misdemeanor, felony, arrest — anything cannabis-related would be expunged from your record.”
The current law only expunges misdemeanors and lower felonies. Evans says, especially with marijuana being legal in Illinois, an old conviction should not mark you for life.
“You see an individual who had a drug conviction at 18, 19, 20 years old who is now in their forties or thirties and trying to put their life back together,” said Evans, “but they are losing opportunities due to their conviction. That’s probably one reason why i am such a strong advocate for expungement, and i have been for quite some time.”
And as for the state’s lackluster fulfillment of a “social equity” provision giving, for example, entrepreneurs of color pot licenses, Evans says he is being patient.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].
