Bill to expunge records of medical marijuana patients clears House

By Brandon Dunn

Medical marijuana patients with criminal charges may be able to have past marijuana-related convictions expunged under a bill passed by the Missouri House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The legislation, sponsored by St. Peters Republican, Rep. Ron Hicks, provides patients approved for a medical marijuana card an opportunity to expunge an unlimited number of past misdemeanor marijuana convictions or municipal violations.

An amendment to allow for additional expungements of felony marijuana convictions over 10 years old was also adopted on the House floor, providing the individuals have not committed a felony in that time frame.

Additionally, St. Charles Republican Rep. Nick Schroer offered a successful amendment which prevents medical cannabis patient data from being shared with federal agencies.

Rep. Hicks’ bill cleared two committees with near unanimous support prior to arriving at the floor. The full House approved the legislation in a voice vote. The bill calls for “records and files maintained in any court proceeding in an associate or circuit division of the circuit court or in municipal court shall be confidential and only available to the parties or by order of the court for good cause shown,” for qualified medical users.  

The bill now moves to the state senate for approval.