Cannabis Clean Slate
Policy Committee April 20, 2026
PHILADELPHIA, April 20 – For too many people in historically underserved communities, a minor cannabis offense has meant years of lost opportunities and collateral consequences. Difficulty finding housing and struggles to find good-paying jobs can plague a person long after a cannabis conviction in Pennsylvania. The House Majority Policy Committee hosted a hearing on cannabis clean slate, highlighting the complex difficulties of Pennsylvania remaining one of 19 states where a cannabis conviction can result in jail time. 
- Hosts: Rep. Andre Carroll, D-Philadelphia
- Testifiers:
- Stephanie Shepard- Director, Last Prisoner Project
- Dr. Christi M. Smith- Law Enforcement Action Partnership
- Jamie Gullen- Managing Attorney for Employment Unit & Youth Justice, Community Legal Services
Agenda + Testimony
Media Release + News Coverage
- Cannabis clean slate would provide transformative legislation, April 20, 2026
- Penn Capital-Star, On 4/20, Pennsylvania Democrats hear testimony on marijuana legalization, clean slate laws, April 20, 2026
- KDKA, Pennsylvania lawmakers continue push for cannabis legalization with clean slate provision, April 20, 2026
- WFMJ, Policy committee reviews PA cannabis bill, reform needs, April 20, 2026
- WJET, Residents debate recreational cannabis use for Pennsylvania on 4/20, April 21, 2026
- MyChesCo, Cannabis Records Debate Intensifies as Reform Push Grows, April 22, 2026
Video + Photos