Minnesota's first cannabis expungement clinic opens Saturday

Dispensaries across the U.S. are hosting similar clinics.

September 11, 2021 at 1:45AM
A downtown Minneapolis medical marijuana dispensary is partnering with volunteer lawyers from St. Paul's Mitchell Hamline School of Law in hosting the state's first-ever expungement clinic to help people clear their records of nonviolent cannabis charges on Saturday.
A downtown Minneapolis medical marijuana dispensary is partnering with volunteer lawyers from St. Paul’s Mitchell Hamline School of Law in hosting the state’s first-ever expungement clinic to help people clear their records of nonviolent cannabis charges on Saturday. (GLEN STUBBE - Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A downtown Minneapolis medical marijuana dispensary is partnering with volunteer lawyers from St. Paul's Mitchell Hamline School of Law in hosting the state's first-ever expungement clinic to help people clear their records of nonviolent cannabis charges.

The clinic is being held Saturday at Green Goods, 207 S. 9th St., from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Preregistration is required to attend the event, which aims "to provide assistance and education to those with cannabis convictions to clear their criminal records," according to Green Goods, which has eight dispensaries throughout Minnesota.

Mayor Jacob Frey tweeted Friday evening in support of the clinic and said he was "glad to see the first expungement clinic starting in downtown MPLS."

"We need to continue pressing for legalization and expungement under State law. Until then, efforts like these are laying important groundwork," Frey wrote.

In May, the Minnesota House cast a historic vote to legalize marijuana for adults, but shortly after the vote, the bill died in the Senate facing strong GOP opposition. Minnesota allows medical marijuana, but it prohibits smoking raw cannabis flower. Meanwhile, 18 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use.

Kim Hyatt • 612-673-4751

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Photo by Josh Edelson, Associated Press: A downtown Minneapolis medical marijuana dispensary is partnering with volunteer lawyers from St. Paul’s Mitchell Hamline School of Law in hosting the state’s first-ever expungement clinic to help people clear their records of nonviolent cannabis charges on Saturday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

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Kim Hyatt

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Kim Hyatt reports on North Central Minnesota. She previously covered Hennepin County courts.

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