Sealing or expunging marijuana cases
The law has changed and you may be able to seal or expunge your criminal cases for possession of marijuana.
In 2016 voters approved a ballot question that made possession of small amounts of marijuana legal. The law went into effect December 15, 2016. It allows anyone over age 21 to have small amounts of marijuana at home and to carry up to two ounces without criminal penalties. G.L. c. 94G, § 13(e).
In 2018, another law on passed which allows judges to expunge cases for offenses that are no longer criminal offenses like possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana. G.L. c. 276, § 100K.
The Massachusetts sealing law lets you seal crimes that are no longer criminal offenses. G.L. c 276, § 100A. If you have a past criminal case for marijuana possession and the case involved only 2 ounces or less of marijuana, you can seal the possession case now instead of having to wait for the waiting period to expire. The new law covers only charges for “possession” and not “possession with the intent to distribute” or other drug crimes.
Use the Legal Resource Finder to find free legal help to seal your CORI, including CORI sealing clinics on Zoom.
Download self-help booklets about CORI, including CORI sealing, prepared by Greater Boston Legal Services.
The Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services has information, links to CORI forms, and more.