Last verified: March 2026
Nevada's Path Toward Cannabis Justice
As cannabis legalization expanded in Nevada, lawmakers recognized that thousands of residents still carried criminal records for conduct that was no longer illegal. Through a series of legislative actions and executive decisions, Nevada has created multiple pathways for people to clear cannabis-related convictions from their records.
AB 192 (2019): Record Sealing for Prior Cannabis Convictions
Assembly Bill 192, passed during the 2019 legislative session, enabled the sealing of prior marijuana convictions in Nevada. This landmark legislation allowed individuals convicted of cannabis offenses — possession, use, and certain low-level distribution charges — to petition the court to have those records sealed.
Record sealing is significant because sealed records do not appear on standard background checks, removing barriers to employment, housing, professional licensing, and other opportunities that a criminal record can obstruct. Under AB 192, qualifying convictions related to amounts that would be legal under current Nevada law became eligible for sealing.
Spring 2020: Mass Pardons for Cannabis Possession
In Spring 2020, Nevada's Board of Pardons approved mass pardons for cannabis possession convictions spanning from 1986 to 2017. This action covered more than three decades of marijuana possession cases, providing automatic relief to thousands of Nevadans who had been convicted under laws that no longer reflected the state's legal framework.
The mass pardons were a sweeping acknowledgment that continuing to penalize people for conduct that voters chose to legalize in 2016 was unjust. A pardon restores civil rights and can be cited in petitions to seal the underlying criminal record.
In Spring 2020, Nevada's Board of Pardons approved mass pardons for cannabis possession convictions spanning 1986 through 2017.
Nevada Board of Pardons
SB 277 (2023): Removing Felony Barriers to Industry Participation
Senate Bill 277, effective January 1, 2024, went beyond record sealing by removing certain felony barriers to cannabis industry participation. Previously, individuals with felony convictions were categorically barred from obtaining cannabis business licenses and agent cards in Nevada.
Under SB 277, individuals with prior felony records can now petition the Cannabis Compliance Board for licenses and agent cards. This change opens the legal cannabis industry to people who were disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition, providing a pathway from the criminal justice system into the regulated market.
Project Clean Slate: Free Expungement Services
Project Clean Slate (projectcleanslate.org), operated by Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM), provides free marijuana criminal record expungement services in Nevada. The program goes beyond basic legal help by offering comprehensive wraparound support:
- Free legal assistance with record sealing petitions and navigating the court process
- Job training to help participants build employable skills and enter the workforce
- Housing assistance to address the housing barriers that often accompany a criminal record
- Counseling services to support participants through the transition
Project Clean Slate specifically helps Nevadans take advantage of the record-sealing opportunities created by AB 192 and the 2020 mass pardons. The program is available at no cost to participants.
Contact: Visit projectcleanslate.org or minorities4medicalmarijuana.org for information about upcoming clinics and eligibility.
How to Get Cannabis Records Sealed in Nevada
If you have a prior cannabis conviction that may qualify for record sealing under current Nevada law, here is the general process:
- Determine eligibility. Convictions for cannabis possession, use, or low-level offenses involving amounts that would be legal today (2.5 oz flower or less, 0.25 oz concentrate or less) are generally eligible. Convictions for trafficking, distribution to minors, or large-scale manufacturing typically are not.
- Obtain your criminal history. Request your records from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Records, Communications and Compliance Division, or the court where you were convicted.
- File a petition. Submit a petition to seal records with the court in the jurisdiction where you were convicted. The petition should identify the specific convictions and cite the applicable statutes (including AB 192).
- Attend the hearing. The court may schedule a hearing. If the petition is unopposed by the district attorney, it may be granted without a hearing.
- Receive the order. If granted, the court issues a sealing order, and the records are removed from public background checks.
Free help is available. Organizations like Project Clean Slate and Las Vegas NORML can assist with the record-sealing process at no cost. Nevada Legal Services and local legal aid organizations may also provide free representation for qualifying individuals.
Timeline of Cannabis Criminal Justice Reforms
| Year | Action | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | AB 192 enacted | Enabled sealing of prior marijuana convictions |
| 2019 | AB 132 enacted | Prohibited most employers from denying jobs based on pre-employment cannabis tests |
| 2020 | Board of Pardons mass pardons | Pardoned cannabis possession convictions from 1986–2017 |
| 2023 | SB 277 enacted (eff. Jan 1, 2024) | Removed felony barriers to cannabis industry licenses and agent cards |
| 2023 | SB 225 enacted | Gave police departments the option to remove cannabis drug testing from hiring |
SB 277 (2023) removed restrictions barring certain felons from cannabis business ownership, allowing them to petition the CCB for licenses and agent cards.
Nevada Legislature
For in-depth cannabis education, dosing guides, safety information, and research summaries, visit our partner site TryCannabis.org