Proposition 47 Archives

Bill to Defelonize Personal Drug Possession Filed in U.S. Congress

May 4, 2015

Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN) has filed House Resolution 2153, a proposal to make some federal drug crimes a misdemeanor rather than a felony, while simultaneously eliminating the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

HR 2153, To “reclassify certain low-level felonies as misdemeanors, to eliminate the increased penalties for cocaine offenses where the cocaine involved is cocaine base, to reinvest in our communities, and for other purposes”, has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, the House Energy Committee, and the House Education and Workforce Committee.

California Initiative to Defelonize Drug Possession Approved Handily by Voters

November 5, 2014November 4, 2014

California voters have handily approved Proposition 47, the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, passing it with 57% of the vote. The initiative will remove felony charges for the personal possession of illegal substances, reducing the offense to a misdemeanor.

The initiative, which won’t apply to those with a history of violent crimes, will also defelonize other nonviolent offenses such as petty theft and check fraud. The proposal was put forth by San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon and San Diego Police Chief William Landsdowne.

Just Three Days Until 2014 Election

November 1, 2014November 1, 2014

In just three days, on Tuesday, November 4th, the 2014 general election will be upon us. In this election, numerous states and localities will be voting on initiatives to reform their cannabis policies. Polling shows that most of these measures are incredibly close, further emphasizing the need for cannabis advocates to VOTE!

Here’s a brief breakdown of the proposals being voted on this Tuesday.

2014 Election a Week Away

October 28, 2014October 28, 2014

A week from today, on Tuesday, November 4th, the 2014 general election will occur, and voters in numerous locales will be given the opportunity to strike a blow to the absurd prohibition on cannabis.

Below is a quick overview of the cannabis-related proposals being voted on:

Oregon:

Measure 91 would legalize the possession of up to 8 ounces of cannabis, in addition to the private cultivation of up to 4 plants. The proposal would also authorize state-licensed cannabis retail outlets, which anyone 21 and older could purchase cannabis from. The outlets would be regulated by the Oregon Liquor Commission, and cannabis would be taxed at $35 an ounce.

Netflix CEO and Founder Donates Over $245,000 to Defelonize Drug Possession in California

October 23, 2014

Reed Hastings, Founder and CEO of Netflix, has donated nearly a quarter of a million dollars to Proposition 47, an initiative being voted on next month in California which would defelonize personal drug possession, in addition to other non-violent crimes such as petty theft.

The contribution (which was $246,664.20 to be exact) is the second highest from an individual donor; only Molly Munger has given more at over $325,447.82. The largest overall contribution comes from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has donated over $3 million. This is according to the most recent campaign finance filings.

Initiative to Defelonize Drug Possession in California Leading 62% to 25% in Newest Poll

September 24, 2014

New polling released Tuesday by the Public Policy Institute of California has found that Proposition 47, an initiative to defelonize certain nonviolent crimes including personal drug possession, is currently favored by 62% of voters in the state, with just 25% opposed. The proposal will be voted on this November.

Proposition 47, titled the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, would remove felony charges for the personal possession of illegal substances, reducing the sentence to a misdemeanor (unless the person has a history of violent crimes). It would also defelonize other nonviolent offenses including petty theft and check fraud.

Initiative to Defelonize Personal Drug Possession in California Qualifies for November Ballot

June 30, 2014

The California Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act has officially qualified for the general election ballot, and will be put to a vote this November as Proposition 47. The measure, in addition to other criminal justice changes, would remove felony charges for the personal possession of illegal substances, reducing the sentence to a misdemeanor. The proposal would also defelonize other nonviolent crimes such as petty theft and check fraud.

The initiative, backed by San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon and San Diego Police Chief William Landsdowne, wouldn’t apply to charges involving the manufacturing or distribution of illegal substances, and for charges placed on someone with a past violent conviction. All other drug possession charges would be defelonized.