Pardons could be on the way for people with simple cannabis possession convictions in Canada.
Canada's Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale announced Wednesday morning that the federal Liberals intend to propose a new law sometime by the end of 2018 that would allow people who have been convicted of simple cannabis possession of 30 grams or less to easily apply for a pardon once their sentence has been completed.
"Now that the laws on cannabis have changed, individuals who previously acquired criminal records for simple possession of cannabis should be allowed to shed the burden of that record," said Goodale. "This will eliminate what are disproportionate consequences and break down barriers, which could mean greater access to job opportunities, education, housing, and even the ability to volunteer for a charity."
Until now, the maximum penalties in Canada for the first conviction for possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis included a fine of $1,000 or six months in jail, or both.
Goodale said under the existing law, the waiting period for a pardon could also be up to ten years or longer and included a fee of $631. The proposed legislation would eliminate that waiting period and the fee that is normally associated with applying for a pardon.
Regarding court proceedings that are currently in process, Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould said ongoing court cases are within the domain of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. She said that means it is up to public prosecutors to decide whether or not there is a reasonable prospect of conviction in the case and if there is, then prosecutors will need to determine whether it is in the public interest to proceed.
