Convictions for simple marijuana possession would be removed from criminal records under a bill N.H. Rep. Jonah Wheeler of Peterborough says he is sponsoring to help people avoid being stigmatized for an offense that has been decriminalized.

In 2017, New Hampshire made possession of up to three-quarters of an ounce of cannabis a violation-level offense, similar to a speeding ticket, instead of a criminal offense that would go on someone’s record.

Wheeler, a Democrat, said his House Bill 196 would prevent old marijuana possession charges from disrupting people’s lives.

“These are people that have served their sentence, done the time, come out and now the charge that they were incarcerated for is no longer being prosecuted, but they’re still unable to get forward in life,” he told the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Jan. 23.

Wheeler noted the point of rehabilitation under the criminal justice system is to eventually allow people to become productive citizens.