BYO cannabis convention in Edison will offer free expungement services

Listen to this article

New Jersey’s largest bring-your-own-cannabis consumer convention, 420 Expo, will offer free expungement clinics to attendees.

Scheduled for Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, the event is touted as a “stigma-free celebration of the legal cannabis lifestyle” and will feature more than 100 vendors, live entertainment, educational seminars and celebrity appearances.

Now in its second year, 420 Expo sought to take its commitment to social justice to the next level by partnering with some of the area’s top legal experts to provide the clinics. The attorneys donating their time to the cause include: Andrew Cooper of Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP, Michael Hoffman of The Hoffman Centers PC and John Williams of the Law Office of John D. Williams.

“People with cannabis convictions often find it impossible to find jobs, housing, or college loans. They often lose their right to vote and the ability to receive public assistance. Many employers won’t hire anyone with a drug conviction or have policies requiring immediate termination if a past drug arrest is discovered – with or without a conviction. The issue is even more profound when you consider that a significant majority of those arrested for cannabis have been simple possession charges,” said Cooper, chair of the Cannabis & Psychedelics Practice Group at Falcon Rappaport & Berkman.

Cooper also said, “The so-called war on drugs has been particularly hard on minority and low-income communities, and although studies show white, brown, and Black people use cannabis equally, Black and brown people were nearly four times as likely to be arrested for cannabis violations. Despite laws designed to assist these communities, the individuals affected most are also least able to benefit due to a lack of access to information and support. The Expungement Clinics at 420 Expo are intended to provide the kind of meaningful access to information otherwise sorely lacking in society.”

Dan Davis, co-founder of 420 Expo, echoed Cooper, saying, the initiative “will provide access to legitimate support that can help people take advantage of their legal rights and make huge steps in achieving their social justice.”

“We are thrilled to bring this type of necessary social support to our three-day cannabis celebration,” Davis said.

Sponsored by Wakit Grinders, the event will be guest hosted by actor, cannabis activist and art collector Cheech Marin and is expected to draw an even bigger crowd than last year’s 17,000 attendees.

420 Expo will include VIP meet and greets with Marin as well as guest appearances by other cannabis-related celebrities and more than 20 seminars and panels appealing to both casual and experienced cannabis enthusiasts. The event will also feature product demonstrations, gaming areas, contests, glass blowing and axe throwing. Outdoors, there will be a large smoking section in addition to a variety of food trucks.

While THC products will not be sold at 420 Expo, attendees may bring the legal limit for personal use under state law, according to organizers.

420 Expo will be open 5 to 11 p.m. on Sept. 29, noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 30 and noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 1. For more information or to purchase advance tickets to this 21-plus event, visit 420Expo.com.