Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin wants to pardon people convicted of a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge in the city’s municipal court.

He’s calling the initiative “Pardons for Progress.” He says he hopes the pardon can help those who cannot find employment because of a single marijuana possession charge. A related drug paraphernalia charge connected to the marijuana possession charge will also be considered in the pardon.

The initiative could impact up to 6,000 people, Woodfin said.

“It is my firm belief that many men and women who have been convicted deserve a second chance in order to secure a job that may be blocked to due a one-time possession conviction,” Woodfin said. “In the spirit of reconciliation, the Pardons for Progress initiative will establish a process for individuals convicted of one marijuana possession charge to receive a pardon if the individual meets certain requirements.”

The pardons are only available for those convicted through the Birmingham Municipal Court.

Woodfin says Code of Alabama Section 12-14-15 gives him power to grant such pardons. That section of the law says “The mayor may remit fines and such costs as are payable to the municipality and commute sentences imposed by a municipal court or the court to which an appeal was taken for violations of municipal ordinances and may grant pardons, after conviction, for violation of such ordinances, and he shall report his action to the council or other governing body at the first regular meeting thereof in the succeeding month with his reasons therefor in writing.”

Those seeking a pardon can download an application from birminghamal.gov/pardons. Once completed, the application should be mailed to the mayor’s office.

Applicants must provide a photo ID and information about their conviction. A background check will be conducted.

Applicants should allow six weeks for review, during which the background check will be done and a five-member Pardons Advisory Council will review the application and present a recommendation to the mayor. Woodfin will ultimately issue the pardon.

The members of the advisory council have not been identified, but city officials said a former judge, member of the Alabama Bar Association, other members of the legal community and the faith community will be on the council.

Individuals with multiple prior misdemeanors, felony drug convictions and violent crime convictions will not be considered. Those who are found not to be compliant with orders from the court will also not be considered.

Those who receive a pardon will not be refunded any fines or court cost associated with their conviction.

Once the pardon is approved by the municipal court, the pardons will be reported to the Birmingham City Council.

Alabama Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, District 6 councilor Crystal Smitherman, District 9 councilor John Hilliard and Kerri Pruitt, Executive Director Kerri Pruitt of the Dannon Project.

More information about the initiative is available online at birminghamal.gov/pardons.