Updated May 9, 2017 at 5:02 p.m. The following corrected information has been added to this article: Because of a wire service error, a previous version of this story referred to a different bill from the one referenced below on sealing criminal records.
DENVER — Convictions for marijuana crimes that would now be legal under current Colorado law could be petitioned to be sealed under legislation that is moving forward.
The House on Wednesday voted 58-5 to approve House Bill 1266, which would allow a person convicted of a crime related to marijuana that would not be a criminal offense if it had occurred after December 2012 — when Colorado marijuana laws were formally enacted — to petition in court to have that record sealed.
Yesterday the state Senate rejected a bill to prohibit public employees from assisting federal agents in “arresting a Colorado citizen for committing an act that is a Colorado constitutional right.”
The bill was inspired by threats that federal authorities may try cracking down on the marijuana industry. Federal authorities generally rely on local law enforcement to enforce federal drug law. But senators called the bill confusing.
California lawmakers are considering a similar bill.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
