LINCOLN- A trio of state senators renewed their call Tuesday for the State Board of Pardons to adopt a “streamlined” process for people to be forgiven for minor marijuana convictions that do not involve violence. In a letter, State Sens. Danielle Conrad, Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne said that a “second chance” should be afforded to minor drug offenders by removing barriers to better jobs, education and professional licenses.

“Making sure Nebraskans can move on from past mistakes and are fully able to find good jobs is one of the most effective anti-recidivism tools, and is critical for our shared public safety goals,” stated the letter, which follows a similar request in June. Gov. Jim Pillen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Secretary of State Bob Evnen all said that they oppose any process to provide a “blanket” pardon for dozens of people at once.

“Each case brought before the board is considered on its own merits, and involves weighing individual circumstances, including whether the person has demonstrated a record of law-abiding conduct, before a pardon is granted,” said Pillen spokeswoman Laura Strimple. “We should at least be able to come together and start a conversation about folks who made a mistake in the past,” Conrad said. “We really need to have the Pardons Board step up and do more.”

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