Cannabis Community Care and Research Network (C3RN) and Boston University School of Law announced their partnership aiming to provide free expungement & sealing services of criminal records to those who qualify in Massachusetts.
As part of the recent criminal justice reform act, Massachusetts residents now have the ability to expunge their past criminal convictions. This service has been available since late 2017, yet few have taken advantage of expunging or sealing their records to date. People with convictions have a difficult time finding housing, loans, financial support, and other services. Expunging or sealing records can improve access to these services.
Starting effective immediately, BU School of Law and C3RN will accept applications for free expungement and sealing records for those who fit program criteria. Resources and referrals for supportive and ongoing services, including eligible criteria and how to apply can be found here: www.cannacenterofexcelllence.org/expunge
“BU Law students in the criminal clinic are motivated, intelligent and trained to provide the highest quality defense representation”, said David Rossman, Professor of Law, Boston University Law School.
These services come at a time where new career opportunities exist, including in the new legal medical and adult-use cannabis industry in Massachusetts. Specifically, the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) programs for economic empowerment and social equity prioritize those with a CORI record, leading to opportunities that can improve the quality and productivity of lives for many.
Despite legalization unfolding in Massachusetts, disparities in cannabis enforcement and arrests still remain. According to the April 2019 Cannabis Control Commission baseline report on social equity and enforcement in Massachusetts:
● “Statewide, Blacks had a larger percentage of cannabis-related:
(1) transportation, (2) distribution, (3) possession, (4) buying/receiving, (5) using/consuming violations relative to their percentage of the population overall.
● Hispanics made up a larger percentage of: (1) transportation, (2) distribution, (3) possession, and (4) buying/receiving violations relative to their population.
● In contrast, Whites represented a smaller percentage relative to their population in all cannabis violations with the exception of cultivating/manufacturing.
● Asians represented a smaller share of all cannabis violations related to their percentage of the population.
● Literature reviews suggest that drug records have adverse effects on employment, which may be compounded for Black and Latino/Hispanic individuals.
● Nationally, Black and Latino/Hispanic cohorts are arrested for drug offenses at higher rates than Whites despite similar rates of drug use and sale; No peer-reviewed research exists for Massachusetts data.”
Randal MacCaffrie, Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer for C3RN said “Disparities in arrests and access still exist in Massachusetts, and those who have a criminal record face difficulty in accessing the basic services available to improve financial income and quality of life. Our partnership with Boston University School of Law aims at righting the wrongs of the drug war and offering a free and accessible pathway for those disproportionately impacted to have a chance for a better life.”
Join the Equity First Alliance, C3RN, and MRCC in Worcester, Massachusetts on Wed September 25, 2019 from 6-9 PM for an educational expungement and record sealing clinic. Address: 26 Millbury St Worcester, MA 01604. Register for the free event here: https://www.cannacenterofexcellence.org/event-3540249
To see if you qualify for free expungement and criminal record sealing services through C3RN and Boston University School of Law, please register at www.cannacenterofexcellence.org/expunge For more information about clearing cannabis convictions in Massachusetts, please visit www.masslegaalhelp.org/cori. Read more: Cannabis Control Commission A Baseline Review and Assessment of Cannabis Use and Public Safety Part 2: 94C Violations and Social Equity: Literature Review and Preliminary Data in Massachusetts April 2019: https://mass-cannabis-control.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/1.-RR2-94C-Violations-FINAL.pdf
About Cannabis Community Care and Research Network (C3RN)
Cannabis Community Care and Research Network (C3RN) is a public benefit corporation (B Corp) based out of Bull Mansion in Worcester, MA that specializes in providing high-quality research and analytic services related to the impacts of medical and adult-use recreational cannabis. C3RN specializes in designing, monitoring, and evaluating models of integrating adult-use and medical cannabis to positively impact social, clinical, and public health outcomes. C3RN runs a national anon cannabis consumer and patient survey in addition to a veteran’s health and cannabis research study in Massachusetts. C3RN and HCC are selected qualified training vendors for the cannabis control commission social equity training program. Learn more at: www.canncenterofexcellence.org
About Boston University School of Law
Founded in 1872, Boston University School of Law is a top-tier law school with a faculty recognized nationally for exceptional teaching and preeminent scholarship. You can explore virtually any area of the law in 200+ classes and seminars, 20+ clinics and externships, and 21 study abroad opportunities. BU Law offers a full-time JD degree, six LLM & master’s degrees, and 17 dual degrees. With the support of a global network of nearly 24,000 alumni and a robust Career Development & Public Service Office, our graduates achieve remarkable career success. BU Law is located in the heart of Boston and housed in the ultra-modern Sumner M. Redstone Building and Law Tower.
Source: https://mass-cannabis-control.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/1.-RR2-94C-Violations-FINAL.pdf
