HB 316, sponsored by Representative Harried Drummond (D-Anchorage), would seal public records of single marijuana possession convictions before February 2015 when Alaska legalized recreational marijuana use. Thousands of Alaskans still have criminal histories that make it difficult to obtain employment for an offense that is longer a crime in this state. HB 316 would remove that barrier to employment and also help remedy the racial disparity in the criminal justice system (according to Census data, Black and Alaska Native people were disproportionately arrested for marijuana use before legalization).
The bill passed the House by a 30-10 vote and is currently before the Senate Finance Committee.
