Alameda County, California District Attorney Nancy O’Malley has established “a policy, protocol, and a process to redesignate and dismiss prior cannabis-related convictions” under the guidelines of Prop. 64, which legalized cannabis for adult use in the state.
“California is offering a second chance to people convicted of cannabis crimes, from felonies to small infractions, with the opportunity to have their criminal records cleared. We join our State officials and intend to reverse decades of cannabis convictions that can be a barrier for people to gain meaningful employment.” – O’Malley in a press release
Since November 2016 – when the law was approved by voters – through Dec. 31, 2017, Alameda County Superior Court has granted 609 petitions to dismiss previous cannabis charges under the scope of the law, and O’Malley’s office has identified 5,900 cases eligible for dismissal, the release states. The office has identified 5,000 of those individuals and plans to notify them of their eligibility by mail.
Earlier this month San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón announced his office would retroactively expunge misdemeanor and felony cannabis convictions dating back to 1975. Gascón’s office plans to recall and resentence up to 4,940 felony convictions and dismiss and seal 3,039 misdemeanors and does not require any action by the convicted individual.
O’Malley’s office indicated any eligible cases will be expedited.