Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

NNPA Stories

Los Angeles County to Dismiss About 60,000 Marijuana Convictions

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The latest cases were identified through a follow-up examination of county court records. The previous group of cases identified for dismissal — nearly 66,000 in February 2020 — covered only an examination of state Department of Justice data, Gascón’s office said. “Dismissing these convictions means the possibility of a better future to thousands of disenfranchised people who are receiving this long-needed relief,” said District Attorney Gascón in a September 27 statement.

By Lauren Victoria Burke
NNPA Newswire

marijuana convictions
The U.S. continues to also have a larger number of prisoners than any other nation in the world with roughly 2.12 million people incarcerated in the U.S. in 2020.

Los Angeles County is planning to throw out over 60,000 additional marijuana convictions that date back 30 years. The action is connected to California’s legalization efforts.

Marijuana arrests have been a large driver of over incarceration since the “war on drugs” began during the Nixon presidency. It was greatly executed during the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

The U.S. has led the world in incarceration for decades. The U.S. continues to also have a larger number of prisoners than any other nation in the world with roughly 2.12 million people incarcerated in the U.S. in 2020.  China is second with 1.71 million people incarcerated in 2020.

The action brings the total number of felony and misdemeanor marijuana convictions identified for dismissal in the county since last year to approximately 124,000. In 2020, Los Angeles County, voided and dismissed 66,000 cannabis convicts.

The latest cases were identified through a follow-up examination of county court records. The previous group of cases identified for dismissal — nearly 66,000 in February 2020 — covered only an examination of state Department of Justice data, Gascón’s office said.

“Dismissing these convictions means the possibility of a better future to thousands of disenfranchised people who are receiving this long-needed relief,” said District Attorney Gascón in a September 27 statement.

“It clears the path for them to find jobs, housing and other services that previously were denied to them because of unjust cannabis laws,” Gascón added.

A drug felony is one of the biggest barriers for employment, even for small trivial amounts that do not involve sales to children or being designated as a ‘kingpin.’

“The dismissal of 60,000 marijuana-related cases by DA Gascón is a pivotal step in reforming our criminal justice system. This sends the right signal to the community that the nation was wrong in its ‘war on marijuana’ and that criminal convictions for marijuana offenses have a disproportionately negative impact on communities of color. We join DA Gascón in removing roadblocks to employment, housing and education through the dismissal and sealing of these convictions,” Alternate Public Defender Erika Anzoategui said.

By Lauren Victoria Burke
NNPA Newswire

marijuana convictions
The U.S. continues to also have a larger number of prisoners than any other nation in the world with roughly 2.12 million people incarcerated in the U.S. in 2020.

Los Angeles County is planning to throw out over 60,000 additional marijuana convictions that date back 30 years. The action is connected to California’s legalization efforts.

Marijuana arrests have been a large driver of over incarceration since the “war on drugs” began during the Nixon presidency. It was greatly executed during the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

The U.S. has led the world in incarceration for decades. The U.S. continues to also have a larger number of prisoners than any other nation in the world with roughly 2.12 million people incarcerated in the U.S. in 2020.  China is second with 1.71 million people incarcerated in 2020.

The action brings the total number of felony and misdemeanor marijuana convictions identified for dismissal in the county since last year to approximately 124,000. In 2020, Los Angeles County, voided and dismissed 66,000 cannabis convicts.

The latest cases were identified through a follow-up examination of county court records. The previous group of cases identified for dismissal — nearly 66,000 in February 2020 — covered only an examination of state Department of Justice data, Gascón’s office said.

“Dismissing these convictions means the possibility of a better future to thousands of disenfranchised people who are receiving this long-needed relief,” said District Attorney Gascón in a September 27 statement.

“It clears the path for them to find jobs, housing and other services that previously were denied to them because of unjust cannabis laws,” Gascón added.

A drug felony is one of the biggest barriers for employment, even for small trivial amounts that do not involve sales to children or being designated as a ‘kingpin.’

“The dismissal of 60,000 marijuana-related cases by DA Gascón is a pivotal step in reforming our criminal justice system. This sends the right signal to the community that the nation was wrong in its ‘war on marijuana’ and that criminal convictions for marijuana offenses have a disproportionately negative impact on communities of color. We join DA Gascón in removing roadblocks to employment, housing and education through the dismissal and sealing of these convictions,” Alternate Public Defender Erika Anzoategui said.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is a political analyst who appears regularly on #RolandMartinUnfiltered. She may be contacted at  LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

Written By

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

ADVERTISEMENT

IMM MASK Promos

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Also Like

News

By Bobby R. Henry Sr.The Westside Gazette The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing more than 200 Black-owned print and online media outlets, is...

News

NNPA NEWSWIRE — FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel acknowledged consumer frustration with data caps, noting that nearly 3,000 individuals have filed complaints over the past...

News

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Sanders’ plans for the museum are ambitious. She envisions a space that honors Black journalists, features historical exhibits, and preserves the...

Editorial

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Former NBA star and activist Craig Hodges is locked in a new dispute over a documentary on his life with Hollywood...

Advertisement