Legislation introduced today in the Maine House of Representatives would establish an automatic process for sealing certain marijuana-related criminal records.
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House Bill 1916, titled “An Act to Automatically Seal Criminal History Record Information for Class D and Class E Crimes Relating to Marijuana Possession and Cultivation,” was filed on behalf of the Judiciary Committee and referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety for consideration.
The measure would apply to low-level marijuana possession and cultivation offenses committed between January 1, 2001 and January 30, 2017, prior to the legalization of recreational marijuana in Maine. Under the proposal, qualifying criminal history records would be identified and reviewed monthly by the State Bureau of Identification. If the records meet specific eligibility criteria—such as the absence of recent convictions or pending charges—they would be forwarded to the Administrative Office of the Courts for final determination.
If approved by the court, the record would be officially sealed, and individuals would not be required to disclose the conviction when asked by employers or other entities, with limited exceptions.
The bill stems from recommendations made by the Criminal Records Review Committee and is intended to align Maine’s criminal record policies with changes in marijuana law. The Supreme Judicial Court would be required to establish rules governing appeals by January 1, 2026. The legislation preserves a person’s right to petition for sealing even if they do not qualify under the automatic process.
The filing of the bill marks the first step in what could be a significant move toward addressing the long-term impacts of marijuana criminalization in Maine.
