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House Leader: Ohio Effort to Expunge Old Pot Crimes Scrapped
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Backers of an effort to purge old pot-related convictions in Ohio have withdrawn their proposal from consideration by state lawmakers.
An attorney for the supporters of the so-called Fresh Start Act wrote in a letter Monday to legislative leaders that his clients wanted the proposed law dropped from consideration and don’t intend to try to get the measure before voters.
Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger announced the details of the letter at a press conference Thursday evening. His office released a copy to the media.
The proposal had called 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 had advanced the plan. It was behind a marijuana legalization initiative that voters rejected in November.