Prosecutors in Boulder, Colorado are taking things a step further over the state and moving to completely erase previous cannabis convictions, the Boulder Daily Camera reports.
Boulder County District Attorney Ken Kupfner has made a list of nearly 4,000 possession convictions in country records since 2008 that would qualify to be vacated and sealed. Kupfner said the goal is to eventually erase even older convictions.
Boulder is going further for cannabis criminal reform than the state of Colorado, which passed a state law last year allowing people previously convicted of cannabis possession to have their charges sealed — but not erased.
“This is really a program based on fundamental fairness. This is conduct that is no longer illegal. It just seems like the right thing to do in these circumstances is to vacate and seal those convictions. … This is really designed for people who would not have found themselves in the criminal justice system today.” — District Attorney Ken Kupfner to the Boulder Daily Camera
Charges of possession of 2 ounces or less, or 1 ounce or less alongside paraphernalia charges qualify for erasure. Charges with any reference to distribution or other related crimes do not qualify.
On January 10 and 15 at the Boulder Justice Center — located at 1777 Sixth St. in Boulder — there will be a clinic where those with previous cannabis charges can have their case looked up to see if they qualify for expungement. An application to seal and vacate previous charges will also be posted on the District Attorney’s Office.