Excludes convictions of possession for sale, production or manufacturing of illegal drugs. Those also convicted of a non-drug offense at the same time would not be eligible. Does not apply to offenders convicted of serious or violent felonies in the past, unless during the previous five years they have not been in prison, have not been convicted of a felony other than nonviolent drug possession and have not been convicted of a misdemeanor involving injury or threat of injury to another person. Generally requires parole violators found to have committed a nonviolent drug possession offense to complete a drug treatment program rather than be returned to prison. Placed on the ballot by initiative petition.
Treatment is more effective for people with drug problems than incarceration.
California prisons are overcrowded and this would help ease that. Sends the wrong message about drug use to the state's youth. The measure ties the hands of judges, and cripples California's successful drug courts.