Topic: Expungement

Illinois became the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, notably doing so through the state legislature rather than a public referendum. Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill, which also includes provisions for expunging nearly 800,000 past marijuana-related convictions.

President Obama issued pardons to eight individuals for decades-old offenses, including conspiracy to import marijuana and the illegal sale of American alligator hides. Critics question the selection process, noting that many of the recipients had already completed their sentences years ago, while more pressing cases on death row remain unaddressed.