SF204

SF204 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Past cannabis crimes expungements or resentencing eligibility clarification

Related bill: HF1094

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes changes to public safety laws in Minnesota to clarify who is eligible for expungement or resentencing regarding past cannabis-related offenses. Specifically, it outlines that individuals can seek to have their criminal records cleared or their sentences reduced if:

Their conviction was for certain specified degrees of controlled substance crimes involving the sale or possession of marijuana or its compounds.
The offense did not include the use of a dangerous weapon, the infliction or attempted infliction of bodily harm, or any act intended to cause fear of immediate bodily harm or death.
The behavior leading to the charge would now be considered either a lesser offense or not a crime at all following legal changes that took effect on August 1, 2023.
The individual has either not appealed the conviction, had their appeal denied, or the deadline to appeal has passed.

This bill aims to adjust legal consequences for individuals in light of updated cannabis laws, recognizing changes in societal and legal perspectives on marijuana use and possession.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file
1st Engrossment PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 15, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 15, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 15, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
January 15, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
March 16, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Comm report: To pass as amended
March 16, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Second reading
March 19, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on eligibility criteria for cannabis-related offense expungements."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill clarifies eligibility for expungements or resentencing for past cannabis crimes under section 609A.06.",
      "modified": [
        "Modification of eligibility criteria for expungement based on the severity of the cannabis-related offense."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609A.06",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This citation covers offenses related to the first-degree controlled substance crimes.",
      "modified": [
        "Includes specifics about cannabis-related first-degree controlled substance crimes now eligible for expungement."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "152.021",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This citation pertains to the first-degree controlled substance crimes, defining lesser offenses eligible for expungement.",
      "modified": [
        "Subsection further clarifies cannabis distribution offenses lessened from a first-degree charge."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "152.021",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This citation refers to the second-degree controlled substance offenses eligible for reconsideration.",
      "modified": [
        "Conditions for second-degree cannabis-related offenses adjusted under expungement criteria."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "152.022",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This citation deals with second-degree controlled substance crimes, focusing on eligibility requirements.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifications provided for second-degree cannabis-related offenses eligible for reconsideration."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "152.022",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section covers third-degree controlled substance offenses in relation to cannabis.",
      "modified": [
        "Guidance on eligibility for expungement of third-degree cannabis-related crimes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "152.023",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This citation concerns the third-degree controlled substance offenses and their eligibility criteria.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts third-degree cannabis-related offenses for potential expungement."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "152.023",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This citation is related to fourth-degree cannabis-related controlled substance offenses.",
      "modified": [
        "Fourth-degree cannabis-related crimes included for expungement eligibility."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "152.024",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section covers fifth-degree controlled substance offenses linked to cannabis.",
      "modified": [
        "Determines expungement legitimacy for cannabis-related fifth-degree offenses."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "152.025",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusions for dismissals directly linked to cannabis offenses."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section discusses general expungement eligibility.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on expungement eligibility for lesser-associated cannabis offenses."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609A.055",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]