House Bill 81, which would restrict the release of certain marijuana-related criminal convictions, has been scheduled for a public hearing in the House State Affairs Committee.
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Introduced by Representatives Nelson, Gray, and Prax, the bill would limit the public release of criminal justice information for individuals convicted of minor marijuana possession offenses. Specifically, it prohibits agencies from disclosing records related to cases where a defendant was convicted solely of possessing less than one ounce of a Schedule VIA controlled substance, was at least 21 years old at the time of the offense, and faced no other criminal charges in the case. Additionally, individuals meeting these criteria may request that their records not be released.
The hearing will take place on March 6 at 3:15 p.m. in Gruenberg 120.
The proposed legislation would provide relief to those with low-level marijuana possession convictions, aligning with Alaska’s broader marijuana reform policies. If enacted, the law would take effect on January 1, 2026, with a provision allowing individuals to request nondisclosure of their records expiring on January 1, 2028.
