Greens announce plans to erase cannabis possession convictions

As part of their cannabis legalisation package, the Greens announced on March 21, 2019, their plans to expunge all cannabis possession convictions in NSW. David Shoebridge, a Greens MP in the NSW Parliament, commented:

Tens of thousands of people in NSW alone are living with the legacy of a criminal conviction for possessing a substance that is legal in many different countries around the world.

Indeed, over the past 10 years in NSW, 43,000 people were convicted of possessing cannabis. Earning them a criminal record that may stop them travelling, getting a job, or even renting a house. As these convicted persons will need to apply for their expungement, the Greens also plan to fund NSW Community Legal Centres - injecting $1 million over three years to set up clinics providing free advice to those affected. You can read the full announcement here.