Thanks to Michigan’s Clean Slate Legislation, thousands of Michiganders now have a real path forward. At Fluresh, Grand Rapids’ first recreational cannabis dispo, we believe that path should be as clear and accessible as possible.
If you were charged with a marijuana-related offense before Michigan legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, you may be eligible to have that conviction removed from your record.
What Is Michigan’s Clean Slate Law?
On October 12, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the Clean Slate Legislation into law, with expungement provisions taking effect on April 11, 2021.
The law was designed to address a straightforward injustice: people were still being penalized for conduct that is no longer a crime in Michigan.
When cannabis was legalized in December 2018, it did not automatically erase prior convictions. People with marijuana charges on their records continued to face barriers to employment, housing, and education long after the law changed. The Clean Slate Legislation was Michigan’s answer to that problem.
Who Qualifies for Marijuana Expungement in Michigan?
Michigan’s expungement law for marijuana offenses is more flexible than expungement laws for other types of convictions. Here is what makes it different.
No Waiting Period
Unlike other criminal convictions, marijuana charges can be set aside immediately. You do not have to wait years after completing your sentence to apply.
Multiple Convictions Can Be Expunged
The law allows you to apply to set aside more than one marijuana-related misdemeanor conviction. That is a significant departure from how expungement typically works in Michigan.
The Burden Falls on the Prosecution
If a prosecutor challenges your application, they must prove that the behavior that led to your conviction would still be a criminal act under current Michigan law. In most marijuana cases, they simply cannot do that.
Misdemeanor marijuana convictions are the clearest candidates for expungement under this law. If you were convicted of possession, use, or another marijuana-related misdemeanor prior to legalization, there is a strong chance you qualify.
How the Michigan Expungement Process Works
Applying is more straightforward than most people expect. Here is how it works step by step.
Step 1 – Pull Your Certified Record of Conviction
Get your certified record from the court where you were convicted. You will need this as part of your application.
Step 2 – File Your Application
File your application with that same convicting court by mail or in person. Your application must include your full name, your current address, and the certified record of each conviction you are seeking to have set aside.
Step 3 – Serve the Prosecutor
Send a copy of the application to the prosecutor’s office that handled your case. They may or may not respond. If they do respond, a hearing will be scheduled within 30 days. If they do not, the court has 21 days to issue an order setting aside the conviction.
Step 4 – Receive Your Order
Once your conviction is set aside, the Michigan State Police will update the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) to reflect the expungement. Your record has been cleared.
If you want help navigating the process, Michigan Legal Help offers a free do-it-yourself expungement tool. Organizations like Legal Aid of West Michigan have been active in supporting Grand Rapids residents throughout the process.
Why This Matters to Us at Fluresh
We have been part of this community since 2018. We know firsthand how the War on Drugs impacted people in Grand Rapids and across Michigan, and we know that legalization alone does not undo that damage.
That is why Fluresh has supported the Last Prisoner Project, sponsored hundreds of individual expungement applications, and donated to organizations working to make the process more accessible for people who need it most.
Cannabis legalization is meaningful. But expungement is what makes it just.
If you have a marijuana conviction on your record, we encourage you to look into your options. The process is more accessible than most people realize, and the outcome can change your life.
Have questions about cannabis in Grand Rapids? Our Cannabis Advisers are here to help. Place your order online, through the Fluresh app, or call us at 616-208-9934. We are at 1213 Phillips Ave SW, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 9 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marijuana Expungement in Michigan
No. There is no required waiting period for marijuana-related misdemeanor convictions. You can apply as soon as you are ready.
Michigan law allows you to set aside multiple marijuana-related misdemeanor convictions, which differs from general expungement rules that typically cap how many convictions can be set aside.
Not yet. Michigan is developing a system for automatic expungements, but it is not fully operational. For now, you need to apply through the court where your conviction occurred.
You do not need a lawyer to apply. Michigan Legal Help provides a free do-it-yourself expungement tool, and organizations like Legal Aid of West Michigan offer free or low-cost assistance to qualifying individuals.
The Michigan State Police will update your public criminal record to reflect the expungement. The conviction will no longer appear on background checks run through the state’s public database.
State expungements apply only to Michigan state records. Federal records are separate and unaffected by a Michigan expungement order.
Fluresh has been a committed supporter of equity, expungement, and community impact since day one. Learn more about who we are.