A couple of months ago I wrote a blog titled “War on Drugs.” The article discussed how the Government consistently threw African Americans in prison if they were addicted to crack cocaine and for the use or distribution of drugs. It also discussed how currently White Americans are addicted to heroin, synthetic heroin, and prescription drugs the Government offers them free rehabilitation. Not jail time! Thanks to Twitter that blog has been revived, shared, and new comments have been added.
It has been brought to my attention by a fellow blogger and LetsTalkRaeStyle reader that some wrongs are trying to be corrected when it comes to certain drugs and jail time. In 1996 California was the first state to legalize cannabis for medical use.
California legalized the recreational use of Marijuana in November of 2016. Since then citizens and politicians have been discussing the possibility of releasing inmates from prison that were locked up for marijuana charges.
However, only about 4,800 people petitioned or contacted lawyers to get help with their cases due to financial reasons after the law was passed. Most inmates and their families can’t afford to pay a lawyer, court fees, and additional cost proceedings. People that have been incarcerated on marijuana charges are poor. The “war on drugs” was an attack on the poor, and petitioning the court can be expensive. The city of San Francisco decided to make an attempt to go above and beyond so, financial reasons won’t be a factor.
San Francisco’s District Attorney George Gascon is clearing all the misdemeanor convictions. The felony convictions have to be reviewed before any jail time and convictions can be downgraded/and or reduced. In order to qualify the inmate can’t have a violent conviction in addition to his or her marijuana conviction. Gascon and his team are doing all the work themselves.
Gascon is hoping that his work and efforts on this project will help create a larger discussion. Although this is just happening in San Francisco thus far, other areas of California are paying close attention to the procedure. This is a great effort that should be expanded.
It’s an attempt to correct some serious mistakes, and it helps that cases are being reviewed dated back to 1975. Hopefully the entire justice system will be revamped sooner than later. Until then Gascon is leading in taking a small step in the right direction.
What’s also disturbing is how much money rich people are currently making off the marijuana industry. When just a couple of years ago, it was always associated with street kids and gangbangers.
Yes! Omg! It’s all a strategic plan I swear!
Wow! I love that you are bringing this issue to light because it’s definitely something that I have thought of as wrong and a double standard. The answer to drug addiction is not jail time but rehabilitation. Thanks for sharing!
It’s a huge issue and thank you!
I work in the criminal justice field as well. & I’m currently working on my thesis that is about the importance of dismantling the entire system & rebuilding it. I think that starts with righting the wrongs of the “War on Drugs” great read!
That’s amazing! Since my college days are far behind me I’m so happy and proud to see people like yourself leading the way! If you haven’t already please check out my post titled “war on drug.” http://www.letstalkraestyle.com/war-on-drugs . I would love to hear more about your thesis.