marijuana convictions; misdemeanors; fines; assessments

Arizona's HB 2801 allows individuals convicted of specific low-level marijuana offenses occurring before November 30, 2020, to petition courts for expungement of their records. It directly affects people arrested or convicted for possessing ≤2.5 ounces of marijuana, growing ≤6 plants at home for personal use, or possessing related paraphernalia. The bill requires courts to grant expungement unless prosecutors prove ineligibility with clear evidence, sealing records and restoring civil rights like firearm possession. Agencies must remove expunged records from public access and cannot use them in future cases. This policy change takes effect July 12, 2021, for eligible cases.