A measure outlined in the Missouri House on Tuesday could give first-time offenders for marijuana possession the opportunity of community service, instead of jail time.
After completing the sentence, the bill would also allow for the convictions to be removed from the offender’s record.
Representative Rory Ellinger, a criminal defense lawyer from St. Louis, hopes that the bill will help youth offenders to get jobs by not having to disclose the conviction to employers.
Ellinger added that the measure would also save the state money by keeping first-time offenders out of jail.
The bill would only apply to those carrying less than 35 grams of marijuana.
