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Ohio Group Clears Hurdle in Effort to Expunge Old Pot Crimes
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A plan to purge old pot-related convictions is heading to Ohio lawmakers for their consideration next year.
Ohio’s elections chief said Friday supporters of the so-called Fresh Start Act have collected enough petition signatures to get the idea before the General Assembly. Legislators would need to act within the first four months of 2016 or backers could potentially put the measure to voters next fall.
The proposal calls for reviewing sentences and expunging criminal records for people with previous marijuana convictions if their actions would no longer be considered illegal.
The ResponsibleOhio campaign is advancing the plan. It was behind a marijuana legalization initiative that voters rejected Tuesday.
Campaign director Ian James says it remains focused on passing the Fresh Start Act and legalizing marijuana as soon as November 2016.