Trudeau moves to expedite pardons for Canadians convicted of marijuana possession

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration announced legislation that would expedite the pardon process for individuals with previous convictions on marijuana possession after the drug was legalized in the country Wednesday.

Scott Bardsley, a spokesperson for Canada’s Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, told ABC News that the pardons would not apply to cases in which an individual was charged with trafficking the drug, such as dealers or producers.

“We will be introducing legislation to introduce an expedited pardon process, with no fee, for those with previous convictions for simple possession of cannabis,” Bardsley said.

{mosads}”The reason we’re doing this is because it’s now something that’s legal, and the consequences of the criminal record are disproportionate to the gravity of the offense,” he added.

Currently, those convicted of minor marijuana offenses who have been crime free for five years can pay $631 Canadian to apply for a pardon. 

Parliament must still approve the new pardon proposal, ABC reported. 

Canadian lawmakers voted in June to legalize recreational marijuana nationwide, lifting a 95-year-old ban. The policy officially went into effect on Wednesday.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Canada for nearly two decades.