Madison Kwiecinski – Editor-in-Chief

Mvk5945@psu.edu 

Photo Credits: Moussa81/Getty Image

Pennsylvania is offering a one-time state-wide pardon project to help expunge certain non-violent minor marijuana convictions from peoples records. The application for pardons is free, online, and nearing its end soon. The Board of Pardons is accepting applications received from September 1 to September 30, leaving nearly only a week left. 

Individuals who are eligible for a one-time marijuana pardon must have received one of two convictions. Those charged with Possession of Marijuana, Title 35 Section 780-113 Subsection A31, and those charged with Marijuana, Small Amount Personal Use, Title 35 Section 780-113 Subsection A31 may apply for pardon. There is no age limit for when the conviction occurred, but the crime must have taken place in Pennsylvania to be eligible for forgiveness. Also, people who have additional convictions on their record are not eligible for the marijuana pardon. 

“I have repeatedly called on our Republican-led General Assembly to support the legalization of adult-use marijuana, but they’ve yet to meet this call for action from myself and Pennsylvanias,” Wolf said early in September during a Press Release about the pardon program. “Until they do, I am committed to doing everything in my power to support Pennsylvanians who have been adversely affected by a minor marijuana offense on their record.” 

These accelerated pardon requests can be filled at pa.gov/mjpardon. Those who are ineligible to apply for the marijuana pardon due to prior convictions may still fill out the standard application for clemency online. Although pardons constitute complete forgiveness, those with pardons would still have to petition the court in order to get in expunged off of their record, if they wish to do so. 

“This pardon project has the potential to open the door for thousands of Pennsylvanias – the college grad looking to start their career, the grandparent who’s been wanting to chaperone a field trip, or any Pennsylvanian who’s been told ‘no’ for much needed assistance,” states Governor Wolf. 

Fetterman, Wolf’s Lieutenant Governor and current Democratic nominee for PA Senator stated, “Nobody should be turned down for a job, housing, or volunteering at your child’s school because of some old nonviolent weed charge, especially given that most of us don’t even think this should be illegal.”