Proposition 36, passed with a 70-30 majority, aims to reclassify theft and drug misdemeanors as felonies, raising incarceration rates amidst concerns over public safety.
The measure is seen as a response to California's crises of overdose deaths, homelessness, and retail theft, treating the symptoms instead of the root causes.
Supporters claim that Prop 36 will deter crime, while opponents fear it will exacerbate racial disparities in incarceration rates and undermine progress from previous reforms.
Since Prop 47 was enacted, the state has saved $816 million in prison costs, showcasing the potential benefits of investing in community-based programs over incarceration.
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