Seattle reminds us it's past time to throw out old marijuana convictions

Seattle is leading the way. 

The city is on the verge of tossing out old convictions for marijuana possession, and with legalization spreading across the country it's past time other cities and states follow suit. 

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According to The Hill, officials are looking to vacate old possession charges which have dogged 542 people over the years. In a statement, Seattle's Mayor spoke to the necessity of trying to undue the damage wrought by years of failed policy. 

“Vacating charges for misdemeanor marijuana possession is a necessary step to correct the injustices of what was a failed war on drugs, which disproportionately affected communities of color in Seattle,” wrote Mayor Jenny Durkan.

The convictions under consideration all came prior to 2010. Washington legalized marijuana in 2012. 

At present, recreational marijuana use is legal in nine states and Washington D.C. — and yet there are people in those states who still have old possession convictions on their records.

That needs to change. 

"The war on drugs in large part became a war on people who needed opportunity and treatment," continued Mayor Durkan. "While we cannot reverse all the harm that was done, we must do our part to give Seattle residents — including immigrants and refugees — a clean slate."

USA Today reports that a municipal judge is presently reviewing the convictions.

In a motion filed Friday by Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, the logic behind the push is made explicit. 

"A drug conviction, even for the misdemeanor offense of Possession of Marijuana, can have significant negative collateral consequences affecting a person's employment opportunities, educations options, qualification for government benefits and programs, travel, and immigration status," he wrote. 

"According to a report by the ACLU, African-Americans are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for possession of Marijuana than Caucasians, even though both groups consume marijuana at similar rates."

And there it is. 

Throwing out these past convictions is one necessary step on a long journey to right the wrongs and heal the damage caused by the racist war on drugs. Hopefully, Seattle is just the first city of many to do what is already long past due. 

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