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Last week, the governor of Louisiana enacted into law a measure that made it easier for individuals with first-time convictions on cannabis possession to apply for record expungement. This comes after the governor signed a resolution in 2021 that decriminalized the possession of no more than 14 grams of marijuana.
The initiative in question, which was introduced by Rep. Delisha Boyd, was advanced through the legislature about two weeks ago. This measure makes it so that individuals convicted of possessing no more than 14 grams of marijuana as a first offense can get their record expunged 90 days after they were convicted.
This approval by Gov. John Bel Edwards will reduce the relief timeline, especially since the current legislation allows people to clear their records after a five-year period.
Prior to its approval, the resolution was amended in a House committee to stipulate that cannabis possession cases that involved more than 14 grams weren’t eligible for expungement. The amendments also eliminated a provision that waived court processing fees for first-time marijuana expungements.
The measure, which will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2023, set $300 as fees for record expungement. The bill stipulates that the processing fees collected will be allocated in equal proportions to the sheriff’s general fund and the district attorney’s office. It also includes a template for a motion to clear records that individuals can fill and submit to the court in their jurisdiction.
Currently, 70% of people in the state of Louisiana support the legalization of recreational cannabis possession for adults. Results from the same survey also found that 90% in Louisiana support the legalization of medical marijuana.
Despite these favorable attitudes, cannabis legalization by the legislature has stalled. However, legislators have taken steps to reform marijuana laws and improve the state’s medical cannabis program. For instance, a measure that would ensure individuals remained eligible for unemployment benefits if they were registered medical marijuana patients was recently cleared by a House committee.
Additionally, regulators gave physicians a temporary go-ahead to continue issuing medical cannabis recommendations through telemedicine in 2022. Furthermore, a legislative task force passed rules in 2022 that provided worker protections for medical marijuana patients.
During the previous session, Gov. Edwards signed various cannabis reform measures, including one that would prevent law enforcement officers from conducting searches in individuals’ homes over the smell of marijuana. Another reform measure that was signed would increase the number of medical dispensaries that could operate in the state of Louisiana.
As more reforms are enacted in Louisiana and elsewhere around the country, business could improve for various enterprises, such as Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX), since the improved operating environment would support more growers that would in turn need more cultivation equipment.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX
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