House Bill No. [insert number] proposes the enactment of R.S. 15:572.2, which establishes new eligibility criteria for individuals convicted of certain marijuana possession offenses to receive a pardon from the governor. Specifically, the bill allows individuals convicted of possession of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, or its chemical derivatives under R.S. 40:966(C)(2)(a) to be eligible for a pardon without needing to complete their sentence or obtain a recommendation from the Board of Pardons. However, it stipulates that no pardon will be granted unless all court costs related to the conviction have been paid.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Division of Probation and Parole will issue a certificate recognizing the pardon for individuals who meet the criteria, affirming their restored rights of citizenship. It also clarifies that once a pardon is granted under this section, the individual cannot receive another pardon for the same offense. Furthermore, individuals pardoned under this provision may still be charged as second or multiple offenders in future convictions, as outlined in R.S. 15:529.1.