Individuals with convictions for possession of minor amounts of marijuana – under 56 grams or 1.9 ounces, are encouraged to apply to have their records expunged to enjoy less hassle when seeking a job, a passport or travel visa.

The Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which was passed earlier this month, made it possible to expunge such records through a simplified process outlined by Attorney General, the Hon. Vincent Byron Jr.

According to the Attorney General, he explained the process begins with a visit to the Post Office to purchase a $10.00 stamp.

The person must then go to the Criminal Records Office at Police Headquarters and fill out a form.

This is where the $10.00 stamp is used. The person then returns the form to the office to complete the process.

He added that “it’s an automatic expungement.”

However, persons with other serious convictions will have to apply for expungement under a separate process.

Furthermore, persons convicted of murder, manslaughter, firearm offences, treason or sexual offences are not eligible to have their records expunged.