Governor Jay Inslee recently announced a Marijuana Justice Initiative that will provide an expedited process to grant pardons to people with a single misdemeanor conviction for adult possession prosecuted under state law. The initiative applies to convictions between January 1998 and December 5, 2012, when I-502 legalized cannabis possession. There are an estimated 3,500 individuals eligible under this initiative.
People convicted under city laws still need to file petitions with the state's Pardons Board, except in Seattle, which is also clearing misdemeanor cannabis convictions. A clear criminal record can remove barriers to housing, employment, and education.
Those interested in requesting a pardon must complete and submit an online petition form on the Office of the Governor’s website.