Free Cannabis Record Expungement Clinic Coming to Trenton

New Jersey residents carrying old cannabis convictions will get another chance to wipe their records clean at a free expungement clinic scheduled for January 24 in Trenton.

The clinic, organized by the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association and legal advocacy groups, offers on-site assistance for people seeking to remove marijuana-related charges from their criminal records — a process that can cost hundreds of dollars when done through private attorneys.

“We’re seeing people who’ve been carrying these convictions for decades, and it’s affected their ability to get jobs, housing, even student loans,” said a spokesperson for New Jersey CannaBusiness Association, one of the event’s sponsors. “This gives them a direct path to relief.”

The clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Trenton War Memorial, located at 1 Memorial Drive. Attorneys and paralegals will be available to help applicants navigate the paperwork and determine eligibility for expungement.

New Jersey has been pushing aggressive expungement efforts since legalizing recreational marijuana in 2021. The state automatically cleared some 360,000 marijuana-related cases, but thousands more require individual applications — particularly cases involving distribution charges or convictions tied to other offenses.

The manual expungement process typically costs $75 in court fees plus attorney costs that can run $500 to $1,500. Free clinics eliminate the legal fees and often help cover court costs through grant funding.

Since 2021, New Jersey has held similar clinics in Newark, Camden, Jersey City, and Atlantic City. The events consistently draw hundreds of applicants, with many traveling from across the state.

“The demand tells you everything about how many people have been affected by prohibition,” said the spokesperson. “These aren’t just statistics — these are neighbors, parents, people who made mistakes or got caught up in a system that disproportionately targeted certain communities.”

The timing coincides with ongoing Politics & Government discussions about criminal justice reform in Trenton. State lawmakers continue debating broader expungement legislation that would cover additional non-violent offenses beyond marijuana.

Governor Murphy’s administration has made expungement a priority, with the state providing $4.2 million in grants to fund legal clinics and community outreach. The money comes from New Jersey’s share of cannabis tax revenue, creating what officials call a “restorative justice loop.”

But the process remains complicated. Applicants must gather court documents, employment records, and other paperwork that can be difficult to obtain years or decades after conviction. Some cases involve multiple jurisdictions or overlapping charges that require additional legal review.

The January 24 clinic aims to streamline that process by having attorneys, paralegals, and court staff available in one location. Organizers recommend bringing identification, any available court documents, and records of arrests or convictions — but stress that missing paperwork won’t disqualify applicants.

“We can help track down records and figure out what someone is eligible for,” said the spokesperson. “The goal is to make this as accessible as possible.”

New Jersey’s cannabis expungement program has cleared more cases than any other state, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. But advocates say thousands more people remain unaware of their eligibility or are deterred by the complexity of the application process.

The trade association has partnered with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, New Jersey Policy Perspective, and several legal aid organizations to organize the Trenton clinic. Similar partnerships have been crucial to the success of previous events.

“Having community groups involved means we can reach people who might not otherwise hear about these opportunities,” said the spokesperson. “A lot of folks have given up on the legal system helping them.”

Beyond individual relief, expungements carry broader economic implications. A 2022 study by New Jersey Policy Perspective found that clearing criminal records could boost annual earnings for affected workers by $5,000 to $8,000 on average, generating additional tax revenue and reducing reliance on public assistance.

The study also found that expungement particularly benefits Black and Hispanic residents, who were arrested for marijuana offenses at disproportionately high rates during prohibition.

For the January clinic, organizers expect several hundred applicants based on previous events. The Trenton location was chosen for its accessibility to residents from central and southern New Jersey counties where cannabis arrests were historically high.

People seeking services don’t need to pre-register, but organizers recommend arriving early as applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The clinic will also provide information about other legal services and resources for job training and financial assistance.

Additional expungement clinics are planned for later in 2024, though specific dates and locations haven’t been announced. Information about future events will be posted on the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association website and through participating legal aid organizations.

The January 24 clinic represents part of New Jersey’s broader effort to address the lasting impacts of marijuana prohibition while building support for the legal cannabis industry that launched in 2022.