Home California Alameda County DA Says Plan Would Reduce, Dismiss Marijuana Convictions

Alameda County DA Says Plan Would Reduce, Dismiss Marijuana Convictions

by ECT

The following was released by Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley

On November 8, 2016, California voters passed Proposition 64, the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act. The Act legalizes adult use Cannabis as well and establishes regulations that will control and oversee the industry. The Act further establishes protocols for redesignating, dismissing and sealing old convictions for Health & Safety Code Sections 11357, 11358, 11359 and 11360. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office immediately established a policy, protocol, and a process to redesignate and dismiss prior cannabis-related convictions.

Since that time, the DA’s Office has consistently handled a steady flow of petitions to dismiss cannabis related felony and misdemeanor convictions for Health & Safety Code Sections 11357, 11359 and 11360. This effort began with the implementation of California’s new cannabis laws, and DA staff have been handling these petitions on a weekly basis.

“California is offering a second chance to people convicted of cannabis crimes, from felonies to small infractions, with the opportunity to have their criminal records cleared,” says DA O’Malley. “We join our State officials and intend to reverse decades of cannabis convictions that can be a barrier for people to gain meaningful employment.”

From November 2016 through December 31, 2017, 609 petitions have been calendared and granted in Alameda County Superior Court. The DA’s Office has identified approximately 5,900 cases that are eligible for dismissal, of which the DA’s Office has identified 5,000 individuals who suffered those convictions. The DA’s Office continues to identify the remaining individuals who fall within the law. The DA’s Office is continuing to initiate actions to dismiss the remaining convictions. To the extent possible, the individuals will be notified by mail.

The DA’s Office has established a protocol, attached to this press release and also available to the public on the DA’s website (www.alcoda.org), for handling these matters.

The Call To Action is to those individuals who believe they are eligible to have their prior marijuana case(s) reviewed for redesignation, dismissal, and/or sealing under the Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act. Contact this office to expedite the process of review and action. To do so, please email the District Attorney’s Office at: [email protected]. Staff from the DA’s Office will contact you.

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11 comments

Melanie Feb 21, 2018 - 8:30 am

Pot shouldn’t have been legalized. CA voters created this mess.

Captain Feb 21, 2018 - 8:54 am

Another housewife coming to give her unimportant opinion

Melanie Feb 21, 2018 - 6:56 pm

Another minority on drugs. I work for a living.

Lola Saavedra Feb 21, 2018 - 5:53 pm

It’s already a mess…. at least 6 people in this state have already died as a result of some STONER toking up and then driving under the influence and killing people! The feds will stop this nonsense . . .and none too soon.

Nick Feb 21, 2018 - 9:35 am

I agree with Melanie. The last thing we need in this state is more drugs.

American Feb 21, 2018 - 10:24 am

Tax revenue is why it passed. It’s a supplement income to cigarettes and alcohol for California. Greedy tax monger politicians of lib cal.

American Feb 21, 2018 - 10:25 am

Tax revenue is why it passed. It’s a supplement income to cigarettes and alcohol for California. Greedy tax monger politicians of lib cal.

Dg Feb 21, 2018 - 5:24 pm

I totally agree with captain for once. Nobody is forcing others to smoke pot. It’s the individuals choice if they want to smoke. Pot is used for many positive things and it is safe UNLIKE alcohol!!!

elizabeth Feb 22, 2018 - 2:33 pm

The “positive” aspect of this plant is extracting chemicals from it to make medication which helps people with epileptic seizures. This is not the same stuff as people smoke, which stinks to high heaven as if 100 skunks suddenly let loose! The smoking pot has a lot of hazardous chemicals (like mercury) in it which affects brain cells.

Dg Feb 22, 2018 - 2:20 pm

How many people die from deep throating??

Dg Feb 22, 2018 - 11:56 pm

Cigarettes and alcohol kill, not weed

Comments are closed.