COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the past five years in Columbus, hundreds of people have had marijuana possession records expunged.
“We've been very active actually in partnership with [Columbus] City Council, and The Ohio State University — going back and sending people notices proactively that we're going to expunge their records,” said City Attorney Zach Klein.
In 2019, Klein's office announced it would dismiss all marijuana possession charges. Since then, 315 cases have been expunged.
The policy was announced after the passage of a state law then that decriminalized hemp possession and cultivation.
Klein said this removes a barrier for people who have a possession charge on their record.
"Having an old misdemeanor marijuana possession that may be stopping you from getting a job or have some sort of licensure, you know, whether that's a truck driver, barber license, whatever it may be, that'd be prohibited... We want to wipe those records clean and give people a chance to be employed, to be successful, to be the moms and dads they want to be,” Klein said.
But statewide, even though Issue 2 is now in effect, people still don’t know if they will have possession charges on their records wiped clean. Lawmakers in both chambers are working to change that.
A bill approved by the Senate this week would establish an expungement process for Ohio – and would create a funding stream for that to cover legal and court fees. You can read the bill here.
If the house approves it – Gov. Mike Dewine has already said he would sign it.
The house has its own version of a bill to amend the marijuana law which would also provide details for the expungement process.
It's in committee – and has not passed the House. The House is back in session mid-week.