“Today I am announcing an effort using the Governor’s pardoning power to expedite our move to a saner drug policy and criminal justice system,” Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin said at an event on Thursday.
This explosive announcement offers hope for those who have small possession charges on their record.
Gov. Peter Shumlin stated that for his last few weeks in office, he is accepting pardon applications for any Vermont citizen who has been convicted of possessing up to an ounce of marijuana. On July 1, 2013, marijuana possession up to one ounce was decriminalized in Vermont.
“Decriminalization was a good first step in updating our outmoded drug laws. It makes no sense that minor marijuana convictions should tarnish the lives of Vermonters indefinitely,” Shumlin said. “This is the right thing to do.”
Now before he leaves office, Shumlin wants to take it a step further — cannabis-related misdemeanors and nonviolent offenses are also eligible for the pardon. Those with prior convictions can fill out this online application, which will be sent to the governor, who will review each case and either grant or deny a pardon.
<drop quote>“It makes zero sense for Vermonters with minor marijuana convictions to have their lives and their careers at times tarnished because of drug laws that have evolved to more sensible policies since when they were convicted.” – Gov. Peter Shumlin
Applications may be denied if they are untruthful, or if the applicant has prior felonies, including violent offenses. A representative for Governor-elect Phil Scott said to NBC5, “The Governor-elect believes pardon applications should be thoroughly reviewed and carefully considered to ensure that they are granted only to those who made a minor mistake, consistent with the intent of the decriminalization law.”
The Governor’s website states, “A pardon will not necessarily erase a conviction or the record of that conviction, and may not change the consequences of that conviction.”
However, this process is a significant opportunity for those who don’t necessarily have the resources to go through the expungement process. The expungement process was introduced alongside Vermont’s decriminalization but it is costly and requires legal representation.
“I’ve heard endless stories of Vermonters who, you know, have wanted to go to nursing school but can’t because they got convicted of a small marijuana charge back in the 1970s or ’80s,” Shumlin said.
In order to be eligible for the pardon, those applying must be up-to-date with state taxes and child support payments. The applicant must also state why they deserve the pardon in 200 characters or less.
A heads-up for those interested in applying for a pardon, applications will only be accepted from December 8, 2016 through December 25, 2016.
