After 2016, Californians voted to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes, the question arose about the cancellation or revision of about 220 thousand prosecutions.
The legal framework of the state already disappeared some offense, a couple of years ago counts as a criminal offense. However, until now no mechanism was established which would abolish prosecution for a crime previously committed, or to mitigate the punishment for convicted inmates.
On 22 August, the California Senate approved the bill. If it is signed by the Governor, the Department of justice staff will have to work hard, examining all the cases for marijuana since 1975. The list must be made before July 1, 2019 and submitted to the district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors, in turn, had to choose those which are subject to review. Cases involving the distribution and possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana, can be closed. Of people with a big criminal history who committed a similar offense will be challenged by prosecutors. Some Californians alone were filed in the courts claims for the removal of old charges, and many have won. Now, however, lawmakers decided to create a separate mechanism to protect the rights of residents of the state.
The bill proposed by state Senator from the Democratic party Rob Bontas, supported by both Democrats and Republicans. However, some senators still fear the consequences of total Amnesty, in particular, that deprived of the right to possess firearms will be able to restore it.
In 2019, new York could also legalize marijuana. And, according to preliminary estimates, it will replenish the state budget at $1.3 billion.
