Efforts to enact a law clearing certain marijuana convictions stalled on Thursday morning when the state Senate pulled a vote on some of the changes Gov. Phil Murphy wanted to have in the cannabis expungement bill. Lawmakers instead reintroduced the bill yesterday afternoon, which according to Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-3rd District, contains much of what Murphy wants.
Thursday’s vote on Senate Bill 3205, which would set up a system for wiping certain marijuana offenses from a criminal record was pulled after only 19 Democratic lawmakers showed up. Sweeney said none of the Republican Senators would approve the measure, meaning the bill had no way to get to the 21-member threshold to pass from the floor.
He told reporters immediately following a press conference with Gov. Phil Murphy that the measure will be taken up for a vote during the next Senate voting session.
Thursday’s version of S3205 establishes a “clean slate” expungement process that seals convictions after 10 years of a clean criminal record.
The measure revamps the application process to make it more accessible. Anyone still paying of fines could be eligible for expungement as well, and the money paid would go to the State Treasurer.