Yes. Massachusetts lets people clear certain past marijuana records through expungement or sealing, depending on the case facts and the statute used. Expungement permanently destroys eligible records, while sealing hides records from most public checks and lets you say you have no record in most settings. Which path fits your case depends on the offense, timing, and the paperwork you file.
What can be sealed or expunged
Massachusetts offers two main tools for clearing past marijuana matters. Expungement removes the record from state systems when specific statutory criteria are met. Sealing restricts who can see the record and gives you legal rights when asked about it in daily life.
Under non-time-based expungement, a court may expunge records if the case falls into categories listed in Chapter 276 section 100K. One category covers offenses that are no longer a crime, which includes past possession of small amounts of marijuana. Other 100K grounds include identity theft, false identification, or errors by police, witnesses, or court staff. You must show clear and convincing evidence that one of these reasons applies to your record.
Massachusetts also allows time-based expungement for a narrow set of offenses under sections 100E through 100U, subject to exclusions in section 100J. These provisions are technical and exclude serious offenses by statute. For cannabis matters, most people rely on the non-time-based route tied to decriminalization and legalization rather than the time-based list.
Sealing is broader. Conviction sealing is handled by the Massachusetts Probation Service under section 100A. You can request sealing by mail once the waiting period has passed. The standard waits are three years for most misdemeanors and seven years for most felonies, counted from the later of the guilty finding or release from custody. Sealing for cases that ended with dismissal, nolle prosequi, or not guilty is available in court without a waiting period under section 100C, and courts apply a good cause standard guided by state case law.
Categories often eligible
- Past possession of small amounts now legal under state law can qualify for expungement as an offense that is no longer a crime. The state’s expungement page gives that example by name. (Mass.gov)
- Dismissed or not guilty marijuana cases can be sealed through the court under section 100C with no wait, and recent rulings reinforce a pro-sealing framework for non-convictions. (Boston Lawyer Blog)
- Old misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions may be sealed after the three-year waiting period if you choose the sealing route, and many people also benefited from statewide pardons for simple possession approved in 2024. A pardon forgives but does not by itself seal or expunge, so you may still file to seal or expunge. (AP News)
How the process works
Your first step is to identify the right remedy for your case. If your marijuana offense fits a 100K ground, you can petition for expungement in court using the statewide form. If your case is better suited to sealing, you can either mail a petition to Probation for convictions or ask the court to seal a dismissal or a not guilty case under section 100C. Both paths are free and use standardized forms.
For expungement based on marijuana offenses that are no longer a crime, the Trial Court publishes a dedicated form called Petition for Expungement of Marijuana Offenses. You complete the form, attach any supporting documents, and file in the court that handled the case. The petition cites section 100K and asks the judge to permanently destroy the records tied to the listed docket numbers.
For conviction sealing by mail, you send a Petition to Seal Conviction Records to the Office of the Commissioner of Probation under section 100A. Probation reviews eligibility and will seal qualifying convictions once the waiting period has passed and conditions are met. For non-convictions, you can file a Petition to Seal Criminal Records for Nolle Prosequi or Dismissal in the court that handled your case. That court may hold a short hearing and decides based on good cause factors recognized in state decisions.
Forms timelines and notices
- Expungement petition for marijuana offenses
Use the statewide marijuana expungement form. After filing, the court may notify the district attorney. If the petition meets statutory grounds, the court can order expungement. The record is then removed from court and state agency databases as the order is carried out. (Mass.gov) - Sealing convictions by mail
Mail your section 100A petition to Probation. You can request sealing three years after a misdemeanor conviction or seven years after a felony conviction, measured from the later of conviction or release. If approved, Probation seals the eligible entries and updates CORI access. (Mass.gov) - Sealing dismissals and not guilty cases
File the 100C petition in the court where the case ended. There is no waiting period for these outcomes. Courts follow a good cause test and recent guidance supports sealing non-convictions when requested. (Mass.gov) - Time-based expungement petitions
Time-based expungement has its own eligibility screen and notice rules, and many offenses are excluded under section 100J. If eligible, the Commissioner of Probation notifies the district attorney and the case proceeds on that track. Most marijuana petitioners use the 100K route instead. (FindLaw Codes) - What to expect after filing
Expungement permanently destroys the record once the order is executed. Sealing does not destroy the record, but it restricts access, updates CORI, and changes what most employers or landlords can see. Both remedies are free to file, and statewide guides walk you through each step. (Mass.gov)
Bring simple supporting materials that show why clearing the record matters. For sealing, people often include a brief statement, job or housing letters, or proof of training or schooling. Legal aid guides explain how to package these materials and where to send them. (Legal Services Center)
What a cleared record changes
Expungement and sealing both improve everyday outcomes, but they do it in different ways. Expungement removes the record from state systems so the court and other Massachusetts agencies no longer have it. Sealing hides the record from most public and private checks and gives you specific rights when you are asked about your history.
When your record is sealed under section 100A, most employers and many landlords cannot see the sealed entry through CORI. State guidance explains that after sealing, you may answer that you have no record in most job and housing contexts. When a record is expunged, the law goes a step further. You are not guilty of perjury or a false statement if you fail to acknowledge an expunged record in response to an inquiry. Legal aid summaries cite sections 100N and 100M to make this point clear.
Jobs housing and licensing basics
- Employment
Sealed records are not visible on most employer CORI checks, and applicants may state that they have no record. Expunged records are destroyed and do not appear. Some roles that require high-level checks or professional licensing may still access certain information under narrow statutes, but routine hiring cannot rely on sealed entries. State pages and bar articles explain these effects so job seekers can plan their applications with confidence. (Massachusetts Legal Help) - Housing
Landlords who use CORI typically receive a report that does not show sealed cases. An expunged case is not in the database at all. This often improves approval odds for people whose only criminal history involved old cannabis possession matters. Legal aid sites walk through the differences and how to talk about them during screening. (Massachusetts Legal Help) - Licensing and education
State boards and schools vary in what they ask and what they can access. In many settings sealed entries are off limits and expunged entries are gone. Some regulated fields have special statutes, yet the general rules favor applicants with sealed or expunged records in ordinary admissions and licensing checks. A 2024 action also granted sweeping pardons for simple possession, which can reduce barriers while you pursue sealing or expungement. (AP News) - Travel and immigration
Sealing and expungement change state records. Federal databases, immigration rules, and other states may have their own rules. People with immigration questions should consult an attorney, but clearing a Massachusetts record can still help on employment and housing while you seek federal advice. State resources make this distinction in their guides. (Mass.gov)
Practical tips that match real cases
Start with the docket number and outcome. Your paperwork should list the court, the case number, and how it ended. If the charge was simple possession from years ago, compare it to the cannabis example on the state expungement page. If the case was dismissed or ended not guilty, consider a 100C sealing petition first because there is no waiting period. If it was a misdemeanor conviction, check if three years have passed for a 100A mail-in seal.
Use the correct form and send it to the right place. The marijuana expungement petition goes to the court that handled the case. The mail-in sealing petition for convictions goes to Probation in Boston. The non-conviction sealing petition is filed in the court that handled the case. State pages and form packets explain where to file and what to include.
Track notices and attend any hearing. Some petitions move on the papers. Others involve short hearings. If a district attorney objects in a time-based expungement, you may receive notice and a date to appear. The statutes outline who must be notified and when. Bring your ID and any proof that supports the petition, such as proof of job offers, housing denials, or training certificates.
Keep copies of your forms and the final order. After sealing, give it a few weeks before pulling your CORI to confirm the change. After expungement, ask the clerk about the timetable for execution so you know when state systems update. Legal services booklets suggest keeping a small file with your forms, the order, and any letters so you can respond if a background screener uses an outdated report.
When people compare local court addresses or directions before filing, we often see them anchor the drive around familiar waypoints near the Rhode Island line and the I-90 corridor. Typical checks include Pettals Cannabis Dispensary – Attleboro and Pettals Cannabis Dispensary – Charlton, along with quick map taps for Attleboro and Charlton while confirming courthouse locations and hours on Mass.gov.
Frequently asked points
Can I say I have no record after clearing a case
Yes. State materials explain that you may say you have no record after sealing or expungement in most everyday contexts. Expungement also protects you from perjury claims for not disclosing an expunged case. (Greater Boston Legal Services)
Is a pardon the same as sealing or expungement
No. A pardon forgives the conviction but does not automatically seal or expunge records. The 2024 pardons for misdemeanor simple possession ease barriers and you can still file to seal or expunge. (AP News)
Do I need to wait to seal a dismissed case
No. The court can seal a dismissal or not guilty case under section 100C with no waiting period, using the specific court petition. (Mass.gov)
How long must I wait to seal a conviction by mail
Three years for most misdemeanors and seven years for most felonies, counted from the later of conviction or release. (Mass.gov)
What if my case involved identity theft or an error
Those are classic 100K expungement grounds. The court can expunge if you prove the record was created due to identity misuse or official error. (Massachusetts Legislature)
By matching your situation to the right statute, using the correct petition, and tracking the timeline, you can clear many past marijuana records in Massachusetts. Expungement removes qualifying records under section 100K, while sealing under sections 100A or 100C limits who can see the record and restores practical rights in hiring and housing. If you keep copies, follow the filing steps, and confirm the update after a few weeks, you will feel the difference the next time a background check runs.
