Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón Monday announced that his office has identified nearly 60,000 cannabis convictions, some going back three decades, that will be dismissed as part of what he calls an effort “to reverse the injustices of drug laws.”
“Dismissing these convictions means the possibility of a better future to thousands of disenfranchised people who are receiving this long- needed relief,” Gascón said in a 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’s move marks the second straight year the L.A. County DA’s Office has taken such a wide-ranging action. Last February, then-DA Jackie Lacey announced that nearly 66,000 marijuana convictions dating back as far as 1961 would be dismissed. That move followed passage of legislation directing California prosecutors to review and reduce felony convictions for marijuana cultivation, sales, transportation and possession for sale to misdemeanors.
Gascón, in announcing the most recent round of dismissals, was joined by Felicia Carbajal, executive director and community leader of The Social Impact Center, a nonprofit organization that serves as a bridge between government, grassroots organizations and people in underserved communities. Also joining Gascon were Lynne Lyman, former director of the Drug Policy Alliance, Public Defender Ricardo Garcia and Alternate Public Defender Erika Anzoategui.
“I have made it my life mission to help and support people who have been impacted by the ‘war on drugs,”‘ Carbajal said. “Giving people with cannabis convictions a new lease on life by expunging the records is something I have worked on for years and I am grateful that we can now make it happen.”
Said Lyman: “This is the unfinished work of Proposition 64. We created the opportunity for old cannabis convictions to be cleared, but it was up to local district attorneys to actually make it happen. Proposition 64 was always about more than legal weed, it was an intentional effort to repair the past harms of the war on drugs and cannabis prohibition, which disproportionately targeted people of color. I applaud District Attorney Gascon for taking this action to help nearly 60,000 Angelenos have their records fully sealed.”
Gascón was co-author of Prop 64, the 2016 measure that made cannabis legal in California.
According to Gascón’s office, last’s year’s dismissals only covered cases from state Department of Justice data — and further examination of L.A. County court records uncovered approximately 58,000 felony and misdemeanor cases dating back more than three decades that are eligible for dismissal.
“The latest batch of cases eligible for dismissal could come as a surprise to people who either thought their convictions were already dismissed last year or were not aware they are eligible for resentencing,” according to Gascón’s office.
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Claire says
Giving people a new lease on life, having their cannabis convictions expunged. Happy to see this.
Eye on Lancaster says
Yes, the DA should not worry about cannabis convictions and focus on the crime and corruption going on with Wrecks and his ilk. No bid contracts, illegal property purchases, funneling of tax dollars for pet projects to campaign donors and advisors, insider deals, using public funds to promote a private business, and so on.
Claire says
This is a good move.
Dismissal says
The war on drugs has failed.
Perry Mason says
The Vice Mayor of Lancaster lost his job at Plant 42 over sales of this silly plant. The Fire Dept. might have a whole different thoughts but Marvin owes a Thank you to our District Attorney G.Gascon.
Herb says
The Vice Mayor of Lancaster and the Mayor of Lancaster have extensive experience in selling the Devils Lettuce. Now they can finally do it legally and keep the competition away by claiming that global warming is moving the Mexican cartel to the AV desert to get water.
People, you can’t make this stuff up. This is real. This is Lancaster. Wow, wow, WOW!
Claire says
It’s good if they’re keeping the competition away. Keep it local, that is the surrounding areas of A.V. “The devil’s lettuce” as you call it, is a thirsty plant, so remember we’re in a severe drought.
Eye on Lancaster says
You bring up a great point Claire. It takes a lot of water to grow cannabis. Why grow it in the desert? Rex and Marv are putting profits above common sense reality. It wouldn’t be the first time. Don’t forget LEAPS, Ecolution, McMahons, Traction Seal, Kensington, yada yada yada
Tim Scott says
That’s not the sense of how they are “keeping the competition away.” What they did is refuse to allow any licensing of anyone but themselves. Then they grow ragweed that no one wants and blame their lack of sales on “the cartels,” when actually everyone they bust is someone who would have happily paid the fees and taxes and “done it right” if they had had the chance.
As to the “thirsty plants,” the actual value in “the devil’s lettuce” is the resin on the flowers. You don’t grow good pot with water wasting spray irrigation washing that off, you have to use drip. If you are worrying about the drought (and we all should be) this is the wrong crop to be looking at.
Frank says
Great points. The only thing Wrecks looks at is PROFIT. There is nothing wrong with making a profit. There is something very wrong when you make a profit by banning your competition, giving inside information or no bid contracts, purchasing property illegally, or funneling tax money to political contributors for pet projects.
Claire says
How did I know my comment would be taken seriously? Honestly, I don’t care about Rex and his ragweed, or all the drama surrounding “the devils lettuce.” I’m glad to see Gascon’s move regarding this article. I don’t care about Rex’s dirty dealings. I didn’t vote for him and he wouldn’t even be mayor if the voters actually went to the polls to vote him out.
Claire says
I know all about great pot and how to grow it, but back in the day there wasn’t all this drama. Can’t imagine anyone, even old Rex growing ragweed, cause there’s no profit with inferior product.
Tim Scott says
Wrecks is a lose a dollar to save a dime, then cheat guy. He and his crew of dimwits are trying to grow 2020 pot using what they learned about growing in the eighties. Hiring someone that actually knows what they are doing is not part of his thinking…just use political advantage to eliminate the competition and sell junk product. Ten bucks says that Lancaster will eventually adopt an ordinance to allow pharmacies and every one that gets licensed will have a big section where they stock WrecksWeed that no one will buy…and won’t say that they have to keep loading it in or lose their license.
Claire says
Bringing up 40 year old stuff that was settled years ago.
Herb says
Selling dope illegally is selling dope illegally. I don’t care if it was 1 year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago, or 40 years ago. We have two ex dealers in charge and people wonder why there is so much funny businesses and insider dealing?
Claire says
Wow, Herb, Two ex dealers. You have some major anger issues. Marijuana should never have been a felony. I have a friend that spent 15 years in prison for a half ounce and now it’s legal.
William says
Marijuana should have never been a felony. Correct. But funneling tax payer dollars for pet projects that benefit political donors, leading the way to send an innocent man to prison for 10 years, and telling people to carry guns illegally to shoot homeless people who try to rob you should be felonies.
Claire says
Are you saying that there are two ex-felons that are elected politicians? Way to go Lancaster.
Claire says
This is ridiculous. I sold weed 40 years ago, and now I don’t. I would trust an ex-felon before I would any of you self-righteous commenters.
Claire says
Bringing up 40 year old stuff is just dirty, I don’t care who they are. But commenters get away with it, and get to use different screen names.
Beacon of Light says
Claire, Claire, Claire. There is nothing dirty about telling the truth. The truth is we are led by people who used to sell weed illegally. You can sell weed legally now if you have the proper permits, and our leaders have made certain that those permits were granted to a select chosen few.
I personally have less heartburn over them selling weed than all the lives Wrecks has ruined through his lies and allegations. People spent time in jail, lost their jobs, had to move in with their parents, and lost everything thanks to his evil acts. A close second is the millions of tax dollars wasted on account of Wrecks and his big fat mouth declaring war on section 8 and getting us into a multi million dollar lawsuit. On top of that, we have boondoggles like LEAPS and Ecolution that funnel millions of tax dollars to political donors and friends. Let’s not forget the McMahon building either.
Bringing up old stuff isn’t dirty. It is shedding light on the darkness that is Wrecks.
Tim Scott says
Well, the issue is that Wrecks runs as a ‘law and order’ mayor and has never hesitated to dig forty years into a rivals’ background looking for dirt, so when he and his partner in crime get what they dish I don’t feel any sympathy for them.
Claire says
Yep, Rex is dirty. He has always been this way, while justifying his actions. As for little old me, I choose not to go down the same road as Rex and play dirty. Thanks for all the attention guys, I can roll with the punches.
Claire says
Shame on the tens of thousands of voters in Lancaster that didn’t vote, again. Five, count them, five terms and all this supposed light your shining on Rex’s dirty deeds isn’t reaching anyone. You get what you deserve when you don’t vote. Blame the voters.
Tim Scott says
Settled…for him. Notice how for most “felons” the stigma never goes away. Funny how when your old crime partner is one of the good ol’ boys in crowd things just work out better.
That’s what this is all about…leveling that playing field.
SL says
I;m surprised that’s local DA has authority to pardon convicts or commute their sentences. I thought that power was reserved to the chief executive.
Tim Scott says
It was actually the voters of California. The DA’s office is just following the law.
The key word is ‘identifying.’ These cases, under state law, are to be dismissed. The DA’s office is responsible for identifying which cases meet the standards of the law.
It doesn’t make sense to say “we are going to brand you as a felon and continue to ruin your life for that joint you got caught smoking in 1992” while the neighbor is legally growing six plants. The law surprisingly addresses that.