Legislation by Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, D-Sitka, that passed by the House on Wednesday, April 20, would make confidential records of individuals convicted of minor marijuana crimes.
House Bill 246 protects the privacy of individuals solely charged with low-level marijuana crimes by automatically removing these records from Court View.
The bill is aimed at countering the fact that even after marijuana was legalized on the state level in 2014 that many Alaskans were blocked from jobs and housing due to previous marijuana convictions. According to the Department of Public Safety, some 8,000 Alaskans have convictions for low-level marijuana crimes that could fall under the scope of this bill.
The bill would also reduce the penalty for low-level marijuana possession offenses by adults ages 18-20, from a class B misdemeanor (punishable up to 90 days in jail) to a violation, similar to underage possession of alcohol. In addition, the legislation would prohibit the court system from publishing records of these violations on Court View going forward.
“It’s been eight years since Alaskans voted to legalize marijuana and our marijuana laws need to reflect our new normal,” Kreiss-Tomkins said. “I’m especially pleased that we are lowering the class of offense for 18-20-year-old underage possession of marijuana. It’s crazy that a 20-year-old Alaskan — who is also old enough for military service and to go to war — could be incarcerated for up to 90 days for simple possession of pot.”
