California voters will have the opportunity to decide on a new initiative aimed at rolling back a controversial law blamed for an increase in theft. Proposition 47, passed by voters in 2014, reduced many non-violent crimes to misdemeanors, leading to criticism from those who believe it contributed to a rise in retail theft and other offenses. The new measure, called the Homelessness Drug and Theft Reduction Act, seeks to address some of these concerns by allowing felony charges for certain drug possessions and thefts under $950.
State officials announced that the initiative has gathered enough petition signatures to qualify for the ballot in the November election. If certified later this month, voters will be able to determine the fate of the law that has been a topic of debate since its implementation. Supporters of the new measure hope it will help address issues related to homelessness, mental health, and addiction while also addressing concerns about crime rates in the state. Critics argue that changes to Proposition 47 are necessary to combat the perceived increase in theft and other offenses.