Crime

Sarauw Says Recreational Marijuana and Expungement Bills Finally Ready; Senate President Says Approval May Not Happen Until January

Senator Janelle Sarauw on Monday said her recreational marijuana and accompanying expungement measures are ready to be heard in Senate committees of jurisdiction after legal counsel released the final draft on Oct. 10. “It has been a very cumbersome process to get these bills to where they are today," she said in a release received by the Consortium Monday.  According to the senator, the adult use legislation now contains provisions for opportunities "for those that have been ostracized by cannabis for so long, as well as those who may have otherwise been overlooked for inclusion in the industry for one reason or the other." Ms. Sarauw said both bills were worked on by inside and outside counsel, community stakeholders, and input from senators in both the 33rd and 34th Legislature, as well as industry experts. However, according to Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory, the measure will mostly likely be voted upon in January when the 35th Legislature is sworn in, pointing to the expan...