North Dakota’s pardon advisory board took a significant step Wednesday in wiping criminal records clean for 26 people with low-level marijuana convictions, a first under a new policy aimed at fixing problems the records have caused for people trying to find jobs and housing.

A new North Dakota program to expunge the records of low-level cannabis offenders has seen few takers so far, leading state officials wondering how to better get the word out. Under the program, offenders with convictions for minor marijuana crimes can receive a pardon and have their records cleared if they refrain from further unlawful behavior for five years.

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North Dakota’s decision to drop penalties for possession of personal quantities of cannabis to an infraction won little media attention back in May. And activists in the state, who pushed for last year’s defeated legalization initiative, say most of what coverage there was got it wrong. 

State officials have approved procedures permitting those with low-level marijuana possession convictions to seek unconditional pardons.

Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, who backed the plan, said, “By destigmatizing these minor, and in many cases, distant offenses, we can give individuals a second chance at a successful, healthy, productive life.”

With support from the state’s Republican governor, North Dakota moved on Wednesday to allow thousands of individuals to potentially wipe their slate clean of low-level marijuana convictions.

The state’s pardon advisory board unanimously approved the policy change, clearing the way for those residents to apply for a pardon for such convictions and emerge with a clear record if they avoid committing a crime for the next five years. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, both Republicans, support the move.

Marijuana reform is gaining momentum in the American Midwest as Nebraska and North Dakota have recently taken steps toward changing their outdated cannabis policies, writes Calvin Hughes.

Earlier this week, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R) quietly made a small but important change to the Roughrider State's marijuana policies. On Wednesday, he signed a bill that will see small amounts of cannabis decriminalized in the state come August 1.

North Dakota may not be the most publicly visible state when it comes to cannabis laws. The most recent example of the state’s relative quiet when it comes to weed is the fact that the governor just signed a new bill to lower the penalties for marijuana possession—and the whole thing happened without a whole lot of fanfare. Regardless, the move represents what could be a big step for cannabis law in North Dakota.

Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has signed legislation into law reducing marijuana possession penalties.

Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has signed legislation amending the state’s nascent medical cannabis access program.