‘Clean Slate Bill’ gives marijuana offenders new opportunities

When marijuana was legalized in Michigan in 2018 for recreational use, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wanted to give the people of Michigan who have had marijuana-related convictions in the past a chance to remove the offenses on their criminal records.

On Oct. 12, Whitmer signed the Clean Slate Bill, which will do just that for the citizens of Michigan. Whitmer made marijuana conviction reform a major issue in her campaign for Michigan’s governorship in 2018.

“This is a historic day in Michigan. These bipartisan bills are a game-changer for people who are seeking opportunities  for employment, housing, and more, and they will help ensure a clean slate for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders,” Whitmer said (Michigan.gov).

As she states, Michigan citizens who have had a marijuana offense on their criminal record have many opportunities that they couldn’t get before the Clean Slate Bill was signed.  

No matter your political views on the governor, many people believe that this is a good opportunity for Michiganders to get a second chance.  

She also went on to say that this is a chance to grow Michigan jobs.

Mayor of Detroit Mike Duggan thanked the governor for the chances she’s giving many Michigan and Detroit citizens. 

“Thanks to the Governor and our State Legislators, more than 80,000 more Detroiters now will be eligible to have those past mistakes removed from their record and a chance at a new start,” Duggan said.

This not only gives Michiganders with a marijuana-related conviction big opportunities, but it also gives the state of Michigan and our jobs a massive opportunity as well. The bill will help Michiganders with minor crime convictions or marijuana convictions (clickondetroit.com).  

While some citizens say that this is a good second chance for the people of Michigan, some may argue that we should not give the offenders a second chance. Only time will tell the effect the bill will have.