Yes, and in many cases it has already happened. The Rhode Island Cannabis Act of 2022 required the courts to automatically expunge past convictions for possessing amounts that became legal, with the process to be completed by July 1, 2024. The automatic process covered qualifying possession offenses only, not sale, delivery, or possession with intent, and records sometimes slip through, so it is worth confirming. A certified BCI record, which costs $5, shows whether the conviction is still there. If it is, a motion can be filed to clear it, and there is no court filing fee. Convictions for larger amounts or for distribution follow the ordinary expungement rules and waiting periods. A lawyer can check the record and file the motion if the automatic process missed yours.
