Having a marijuana-related offense on your record can affect your career long after the legal consequences have ended. Even in Arizona, where recreational use is now legal, old convictions or arrests can continue to appear on background checks, raising questions for employers and limiting access to career opportunities. Fortunately, Arizona’s marijuana expungement law gives eligible individuals a chance to erase that record—and with it, many of the barriers that have stood in the way of employment, licensing, and advancement.
Why Expungement Matters for Employment
Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 36-2862), certain marijuana offenses—including possession of under 2.5 ounces, possession of paraphernalia, and cultivation of up to six plants for personal use—are eligible for expungement. This means the court can order those records to be permanently removed from public access.
This matters because employers rely heavily on background checks during the hiring process. Even if the offense was minor or years ago, its appearance on a report can affect how a hiring manager views a candidate compared to other caondidates with a clean record. In some industries like healthcare, education, finance, and government even a non-violent marijuana conviction can disqualify applicants outright. Expungement helps by eliminating the record entirely from most commercial background databases, allowing candidates to apply without the weight of a past conviction shaping their chances.
We’ve seen clients regain confidence and job mobility once their records are cleared. With expungement, individuals no longer have to explain outdated offenses in interviews or worry about automatic disqualification before they even get a chance to speak.
What Changes After Expungement
Expungement transforms how your record appears to potential employers and licensing agencies. Once the court approves the petition and orders the record removed, state agencies and law enforcement must comply. In most employment situations, this means the offense is legally treated as if it never occurred.
Here are the most direct benefits when it comes to job-seeking:
• The offense no longer appears on standard employment background checks
• You are not required to disclose the expunged charge on most job or license applications
• Eligibility is restored for positions or certifications that previously barred applicants with marijuana offenses
• You are more likely to pass screenings for promotions, leadership roles, or sensitive responsibilities
• Job interviews can focus on your current qualifications, not your past record
These changes don’t just improve your chances of being hired—they reduce the emotional burden of navigating the job market with a record. Expungement helps shift the narrative from your past to your potential.
What Expungement Doesn’t Do
While Arizona marijuana expungement provides significant relief, it doesn’t wipe the slate clean in every scenario. Federal agencies, such as those involved in immigration or high-level government clearances, may still have access to expunged records through independent databases. In some professions, particularly those regulated by state licensing boards—like nursing, real estate, or legal practice—you may still be required to disclose prior offenses, even if expunged.
Expungement also does not erase records from private websites or third-party data brokers not bound by Arizona’s laws. That’s why we advise anyone considering expungement to discuss their goals with an attorney. Understanding where protections apply and where they don’t can help you make informed decisions about your future.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Arizona’s marijuana expungement law offers more than a legal fix—it offers an opportunity to build a new chapter. If you’ve been held back by a conviction that no longer reflects your values or behavior, this law can open doors that were previously closed. You may no longer have to explain a mistake from years ago every time you apply for a job or a license.
We are here to help guide you through the process of expungement, from determining your eligibility to submitting a strong petition. Clearing your record is a meaningful step toward reclaiming your future, and we’re ready to walk that path with you.
Zachary Divelbiss, Lawyer
Future First Criminal Law
