SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan announced Monday a motion to reduce thousands of marijuana convictions.
The motion asks the San Diego Superior Court to reduce 25,000 marijuana convictions, ranging from felonies to misdemeanors, and dismiss another 1,000 misdemeanor convictions completely.
“We’ve been a leader in the state and pro-active on giving individuals with marijuana convictions the opportunity to move forward with their lives without a conviction that may have been negatively impacting their lives by restricting their employment or housing,” said Stephan. “This latest motion is the continuation of work that began more than two years ago. It’s clear that the law was written to allow this relief, and it’s important that we give full effect to the will of the people.”
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Under AB 1793, passed in 2018, the DA's office must notify the court of eligible cases by July 1, 2020. But according to the DA's office, officials have actively been reducing or dismissing eligible marijuana cases under 2016's Proposition 64, which legalized recreational cannabis.
Since 2016, the DA's office says it has reduced or dismissed more than 1,600 marijuana-related convictions.
Under Prop 64, sections regarding cultivation of marijuana, possession for sale of marijuana, and sales and/or transporting marijuana — all felonies — qualify for resentencing. The misdemeanor of possession of marijuana also qualifies.
“The Superior Court and Public Defender are critical to this voluminous project and we appreciate that they’ve made it a priority,” Stephan added.
