Sen. Jacky Rosen Introduces Bill Seeking Fed Grants To Cover Expungement Costs For People Unjustly Sentenced For Cannabis Offenses
Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced legislation on Thursday aimed at establishing a cannabis-related federal grant program that would automatically fund expunging or sealing cannabis-related records at the state level, leveraging federal resources.
The Harnessing Opportunity by Pursuing Expungement, or HOPE Act was initially introduced by a bipartisan group of House members in two straight Congresses led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH).
Introducing it now in the Senate, Rosen seeks the support of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), reported The Nevada Independent. Rosen’s aim is for the bill to be included in an anticipated cannabis reform package, focusing on banking reforms that Congress and industry leaders are advocating for this month, coinciding with the marijuana holiday, 4/20.
The disproportionate impact of cannabis-related imprisonment on minority groups, particularly Black Americans, has been a significant concern. Statistics show that Black individuals are three times …