Republican Senator Rand Paul and Democrat Senator Bob Casey Introduce Cannabis-Related Measure

Republican Senator Rand Paul was busy last week, unveiling a new cannabis-related bill alongside his Democrat colleague, Senator Bob Casey.

What Happened

In addition to proposing legislation to ease federal restrictions on hemp, Paul introduced a measure that would allow the THC content in hemp to increase from 0.3% to 1%. However, Paul’s most notable move was the introduction of the Clean Slate Act, a cannabis-related bill aimed at criminal justice reform.

The Clean Slate Act would allow individuals convicted of simple drug possession and other low-level, nonviolent marijuana-related crimes to request the sealing of their criminal records. This process is meant for cases that do not qualify for automatic expungement under current laws.

The measure is a companion bill to a House version introduced in 2023 by Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Nancy Mace (R-SC). Unfortunately, the House version did not reach the floor for a vote, as reported by Marijuana Moment‘s Kyle Jaeger.

Why It Matters

The bipartisan legislation from Senators Paul and Casey has the potential to impact millions of Americans by granting them a second chance. The bill aims to automatically seal federal arrest records for individuals who were not convicted, as well as for those who were convicted of minor, nonviolent drug offenses after completing their sentences.

In addition to the automatic sealing provisions, the legislation establishes a procedure for individuals to petition a federal district judge to review and possibly seal records for other nonviolent offenses that are not eligible for automatic relief.

“This legislation will ensure that parents, workers, and families who have successfully completed their sentence can build successful lives that are unburdened by minor, nonviolent criminal histories,” Senator Casey said in a press release.

Broader Legislative Efforts

The Clean Slate Act reflects a growing trend of criminal justice reform aimed at giving people with low-level, nonviolent drug convictions a fresh start. On the state level, several legislative initiatives have emerged, including efforts in Minnesota, Colorado, Connecticut, and New York, all pushing for second chances for individuals with similar criminal records.