How do I get a pardon for a cannabis conviction?

There is a simplified process that you can use if you're only trying to get a record suspension for simple possession of cannabis for personal use. You can't use this simplified process if you were convicted of possession of cannabis with an intent to sell or any other convictions.

A record suspension doesn't erase your criminal record. But a record suspension takes your criminal record off the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database so that it doesn't show up on a police record check. This means that your conviction will not show up on a police record check. A record suspension used to be called a pardon.

You might need a police record check for a:

• job or volunteer position
• visa or other international travel document
• citizenship application

Getting a record suspension can help you get more opportunities for jobs and education.

You don't need to apply for a record suspension for:

• an absolute or conditional discharge, or
• a conviction from a youth court or youth justice court.

If you get a conditional discharge, the conviction will be removed from your record 3 years after you are found guilty. An absolute discharge will be removed one year after you are found guilty.

Youth convictions will be removed from your record once a certain amount of time has passed. Read How does having a youth record affect me? for more information.

The Parole Board of Canada handles everything related to record suspensions.

A record suspension isn't always permanent. The Parole Board will add your criminal record back into the CPIC database if:

• you are convicted of a new indictable offence,
• you lied in your record suspension application, or
• you weren't eligible for a record suspension when it was ordered. For example, you accidentally missed something in your application and the Parole Board didn't catch the mistake

The Parole Board can also add your criminal record back into the CPIC database if you're convicted of a summary offence. The board decides this on a case-by-case basis. If the Parole Board is thinking about cancelling your record suspension, they will send you a letter. You will have the chance to write to them to explain that you've been showing good behavior, like taking counselling, and that your record suspension shouldn't be cancelled.

Getting help

Be aware of scams. Don't work with companies that say you can't apply for a record suspension on your own or that charge you more money to get the record suspension faster. Companies can help you with the application if you need it, but you can apply for a record suspension on your own. And there is no way for a company to make the process faster. The government has published some helpful tips on how to avoid scams.

If you have questions about the application process, you can call the Parole Board of

Canada toll-free at 1-800-874-2652 or email suspension@pbc-clcc.gc.ca.