Martinez, CA: The District Attorney’s Office for Contra Costa County (population: 1.15 million) has announced that it will be dismissing over 2,000 marijuana-related convictions.
California lawmakers in 2018 enacted legislation establishing an automatic review and expungement process for low-level marijuana convictions. To date, officials in various counties throughout the state – including Alameda, San Diego, and San Francisco – have vacated thousands of cannabis-specific convictions.
"Far too often, old criminal convictions for minor drug offenses can leave a lasting mark on an individual’s life," Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said in a news release. "The removal of these convictions effectively reduces barriers to licensing, education, housing and employment. It is imperative that we continue to be innovative in our approach to reforming and strengthening the criminal justice system."
For more information, contact California NORML.