Prop 36 begins in California. Here’s what you should know – NBC Los Angeles

Proposition 36, which increases penalties for some retail theft and drug possession offenses, went into effect Wednesday morning in California.

Voters approved the proposal back in November by a majority of 69%. The statewide support was one of 10 on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Here’s what Prop 36 does

• To convert some misdemeanors to felonies: Under Prop 47, theft crimes such as shoplifting and burglary involving items valued at less than $950 are classified as misdemeanors. Possession of any drug, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, is also considered a misdemeanor. But Prop 36 will reverse some of those sentence reductions and convert those misdemeanors to felonies, especially if a person has committed similar crimes in the past. This would also mean that a conviction would result in a sentence of up to three years in county prison or state prison.

• Longer sentences: Under Prop 36, felony sentences can be extended by up to three years when a group of three or more people commit a crime together, such as flash mob robberies that have affected retailers since the pandemic. Under Prop 36, people convicted of selling hard drugs could receive a longer sentence depending on how much they sold. Unlike Prop 47, the new ballot measure aims to require people to serve their time in prison.

Several prominent California lawmakers, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, opposed the proposal because they feared it could discriminate against minority communities. However, business owners and police unions strongly supported the measure.

In a statement on its website, the California Republican Party said, “California has an epidemic of drug use, drug trafficking and repeat retail theft because people who commit these crimes face no serious consequences,” and that “Prop 36 will create real accountability.” .” for violating these laws.”

The California Democratic Party rejected the propaganda, saying it “reignites a failed, costly war on drugs.”