Recent Changes In State Drug Laws

Recent Changes in State Drug Laws

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In 2002, Washington passed legislation reducing by 6 months the minimum sentence for first-time convictions for trafficking in heroin and cocaine and they also eliminated the "triple-scoring" sentences for non-violent drug offenders
    • Law was projected to save Washington about $45 million per year
In 2003, Kansas had an overwhelming prison population which was partially related to the increasing number of drug offenders
    • The law gave the person 18 months of treatment instead of prison time, for first and second-time non-violent drug possession offenders
In March of 2003, Michigan started a law that repealed the state's minimum sentences for drug offenses and resulted in the release of several first-time nonviolent drug offenders
    • The law reformed Michigan's 1978 legislation
Under revised laws in New York, offenders convicted of drug crimes would be able to reduce their length of incarceration by up to 1/3
 
California passed a proposition in 1996, allowing for the use of medical marijuana
    • In 2000, another proposition passed allowing individuals within their first or second offense participate in the drug program and not go to jail
 
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