AABANY's Government Service & Public Interest Committee ("GSPI") and Brooklyn NAACP present a CLE on vacatur and expungement of NY Penal Law Article 221 Marijuana convictions pursuant to the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (“MRTA”). This CLE will educate attorneys, law students, advocates and members of the public on the implications and impact of the MRTA law – particularly as it relates to NY criminal code relating to cannabis conviction prior to this law and present day. The CLE will also review the impact the law has on racial justice, immigration and labor law. Attendees of this CLE will have an opportunity to earn 1.5 CLE credit hours in the Areas of Professional Practice.

In addition to helping the community understand key attributes of the MRTA, there will be an additional component, i.e., Expungement Clinic, which will require pro bono assistance from attorneys. In order to participate in the expungement clinic, all volunteers will be required to take the CLE. The purpose of the Clinic is to not only explain the expungement process, but also to assist individuals who seek to expunge marijuana convictions. While the requirement to assist during the Expungement Clinic is not mandatory in order to earn CLE credits, we highly encourage attendees to volunteer their time. Details about the Expungement Clinic will be announced after the CLE.