Virginia officials are urging lawmakers to seal all criminal records related to simple marijuana possession and streamline the record-sealing process for cannabis paraphernalia offenses as the 2025 legislative session begins.
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The Virginia State Crime Commission (VSCC) recently approved several recommendations on record-sealing policies, including those focused on marijuana.
Colin Drabert, VSCC’s Deputy Director, says the proposals ensure “that all possession of marijuana offenses are sealed, regardless of whether they’re a conviction or not a conviction, without the entry of a court order.”
Legislators on the commission have already introduced bills reflecting these recommendations. State Senator Scott Surovell (D) filed Senate Bill 1466, while Delegate Charniele Herring (D) introduced House Bill 2723. Both measures seek to ensure that all charges and convictions for marijuana possession are sealed automatically, eliminating the need for court orders.
Although the proposals would not cover certain Department of Motor Vehicle records, businesses that perform background checks would be obligated to quickly remove marijuana-related offenses that have been sealed from their databases.
Whether or not the VSCC’s recommendations will be implemented is now up to the Virginia Legislature and Governor Glenn Youngkin.
