LOS ANGELES – The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion Tuesday calling on the Office of Cannabis Management to develop a countywide plan to facilitate the resentencing of minor cannabis convictions.
Under Proposition 64, certain convictions qualify for reduction or dismissal. However, many people are unaware that they may be eligible for legal relief, or are deterred by the cumbersome process.
“The war on drugs led to decades-long racial disparities in cannabis-related arrests and convictions,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said. “We have a responsibility now to seek widespread reclassification and resentencing for those with minor cannabis convictions on their records, including the destruction of court records for youth.”
“This would remove barriers to employment, housing, financial assistance, and deepening social and economic disparities,” he added. “For many, this is the second chance that was due to them, and has been a long time coming.”
The motion, coauthored by Supervisor Hilda Solis, also seeks to prevent the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis-related offenses seen in other jurisdictions post-legalization. In Alaska, for example, while overall cannabis-related arrests fell after legalization, African Americans were still arrested for these offenses approximately 10 times more often than Caucasians were. In Washington, D.C. this racial disparity was closer to 4:1, and in Colorado, 3:1.
Eunisses Hernandez, policy coordinator with the nonprofit Drug Policy Alliance, supported the motion. “The act of getting someone’s conviction reclassified or dismissed off their record removes at least 4,800 barriers that prevent them from obtaining housing, employment and supportive services,” she told the Board. “Providing post-conviction relief services opens the door for new opportunities that allow people to fully integrate back into their communities after being impacted by the criminal justice system.”
She added, “Everyone in our communities benefit from having more people eligible for employment and other resources that allows them to support themselves and their families.”
Previous related story: Proposal would get minor pot convictions reduced or dismissed
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F _ _ k AV says
A sane society will eventually decriminalize possession of small, personal use of all drugs. Catching a BS drug case is MUCH,MUCH more damaging to the individual and society as a whole than a little coke in some guys pocket on a Saturday night. This policy is working in Europe with great success. This is not decriminalizing large scale drug trafficking. A few dollars worth of coke or speed or _Fill in the Blank_ doesn’t amount to anything and is only an imaginary threat to the hysterical baton polishers of America. About 98% of Americans would not be able to identify a casual, weekend warrior drug user if this user walked up to them and stuffed a straw in their nose. Americans are terrified of things they don’t even have any real knowledge of – you can thank the Corporate Media for that.
B.O.B. says
Why does it have to about color ?
some people have more and smoke more than others.
see it everyday.
Solis your all about divide.
Pete says
I see now drugs are linked to racism…. Figures. Every nationality deals with drug issues. Im so sick of the bullshit associated with it all. Personally i hate pot because my ex was a pot head to stoned to do anything ever but at the same time i know it has helped cancer patients and seizure patients. Lets wate tax payers money so some dickheads can make money trying to prevent racism on a drug that all origins use. By the way my brother a white guy was arrested for pot and beat during the arrest… My son was also beat by ten cops hes white… Life is lif if you break the god damn law you get arrested and your ass kicked no matter what your color is.