Arizona Superior Court clears marijuana charges for thousands after Prop 207 passage

PHOENIX — The Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County has granted more than 3,600 petitions for expungement to clear marijuana convictions since July with hundreds of people applying each week.

The passage of Proposition 207 in November legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 and over while also allowing people to petition the court to have their marijuana conviction expunged.

The Superior Court of Arizona said in a press release Monday that an average of 650 people a week are filing petitions with the court to have felony marijuana-related convictions wiped off their records.

People who were arrested, charged, convicted or acquitted of certain marijuana offenses were able to begin the application process on July 12 if the applicant met the requirements outlined in Arizona state law and the Arizona rules of criminal procedure.

Those who have their requests granted by the court will have the case file and law enforcement records of the charge sealed and not available to the public.

A filing fee is not charged for the petition to expunge the conviction.

The proposition, which passed with 60% of the vote, also included a 16% tax on the sale of marijuana that helps fund community colleges, public safety, public health programs and roads and highways.

A similar initiative, Proposition 205, was voted down by voters in 2016. It would have legalized recreational marijuana with tax revenue going to the state’s school system.

Follow @KTAR923