Gov. Peter Shumlin announced Dec. 8 his intention to allow Vermonters convicted of that offense prior to the law change to apply for a pardon, essentially wiping the offense off their criminal record. He cited 2013 legislative action to decriminalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana as he made the announcement.
Applications will be accepted beginning today and taken through Dec. 25.
“Today I am announcing an effort using the governor’s pardoning power to expedite our move to a saner drug policy and criminal justice system,” the governor said. “Decriminalization was a good first step in updating our outmoded drug laws. It makes no sense that minor marijuana convictions should tarnish the lives of Vermonters indefinitely.”
Gov. Shumlin said he will consider pardoning convictions of marijuana possession up to one ounce for people that do not have violent criminal Vermont convictions or felonies on their records.
To seek a pardon, applicants should visit governor.vermont.gov, then click the box titled “Pardon applications for marijuana possession” on the right side of the page. Applicants will be directed to a simple, secure web page application.
Each application will be considered individually, and there is no guarantee of a pardon.
“However, I will try to get through as many as possible before the end of my administration on Jan. 5,” Gov. Shumlin emphasized. “This is the right thing to do.”
To seek a pardon, applicants should visit governor.vermont.gov, then click the box titled “Pardon applications for marijuana possession” on the right side of the page. Applicants will be directed to a simple, secure web page application.