An Ohio group is preparing to file petition signatures in its effort to create a process for purging old pot-related convictions made obsolete if marijuana is legalized this fall.
The group ResponsibleOhio is also behind the pot legalization effort. It
considers the so-called Fresh Start Act the next step.
The initiated statute calls for reviewing and expunging criminal records for people with previous marijuana convictions if their actions would no longer be considered illegal.
ResponsibleOhio plans a news conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss the proposed act. It must submit some 92,000 valid signatures by year's end to get the issue before state lawmakers next year. Legislators would need to act within the first four months of 2016 or supporters could potentially put the question to voters next fall.