Sacramentans could get help clearing their criminal records courtesy of the weed industry

Hundreds of Sacramentans looking to clear their criminal records so that they can find better employment prospects are about to get a little help from the marijuana industry.

The California Community Reinvestment Grants Program, which receives funding from cannabis cultivation and excise tax revenue, announced a $450,000 grant to United Core Alliance to support the organization’s criminal record expungement clinics.

It is one of 78 grants, totaling $35.5 million, awarded to organizations across the state. Over the last four years the program has distributed 126 grants totaling $57 million, including $5.9 million to groups in the Sacramento area.

“We see that the War on Drugs has disproportionately impacted certain communities,” said Assistant Deputy Director Fiona Lavelle, explaining the program’s purpose. She specifically mentioned Black, Hispanic and low-income communities.

Willie Rudman, a spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), which oversees the grants program, said in an email that even though Black, Hispanic and white people use and sell marijuana at similar rates, Black and Hispanic people historically have been arrested more frequently for marijuana violations.

“The overall vision is for the CalCRG Program to really be a resource to address the multi-generational impacts of the War on Drugs,” Lavelle said.

Khalil Ferguson, president of United Core Alliance, a two-year-old nonprofit, said the grant represents recognition by the state for its work.

“Our attorney reminds us all the time you’re moving along very well, your structure is very solid,” he said.

Ferguson said that the state grant will help fund 500 expungement efforts. That’s no small thing considering the filing fee for each is $120 and often a person may have to file for multiple expungements to clear their record, he said.

With the success rate for expungement filings at less than 10%, every little bit helps when people are taking the time to make the effort, including potentially taking time off work and having to find child care, Ferguson said.

This story was originally published May 31, 2022 at 11:28 AM.