Richard Madaleno on Drugs

Allow petitioning for expunging marijuana arrest record

OnTheIssues Q: what are your views on drug issues?
• Voted YES on allowing parents or guardians of minor children to apply on their behalf to outpatient alcohol or drug abuse programs
• Voted YES on allowing persons convicted of possession of marijuana to petition for expungement of record
• Voted YES on no longer requiring ex-offenders to be tested for drugs

Opioid epidemic is health issue, not criminal one

Co-sponsored marijuana legalization bill

Reduce mandatory sentencing for drug offenses

• Repeals the mandatory sentence of at least 10 years imprisonment for first and second time convictions for distributing or dispensing a dangerous controlled substance;
• Requires an individual convicted of drug offenses to be sentenced to at least 2 years imprisonment, and a maximum imprisonment of 20 years or a maximum fine of $100,000, for first or second offenses

Voted YES on reducing penalties for possession of marijuana

Highlights:
• Reduces the penalty for a first offense of possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana to a fine of $100 from a maximum prison sentence of 90 days, a fine up to $500, or both.
• Classifies the possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana as a civil offense punishable by a maximum fine of $250 for a second offense; and a maximum fine of $500 and for a third or subsequent offense.
• Requires an individual less than 21 years of age who violates a provision of this bill or an individual older than 21 who commits a third or subsequent offense to perform the following actions:
• Attend a drug education program;
• Perform an assessment for substance abuse disorder; and
• Enter substance abuse treatment.