A recent poll indicates that Californians are heavily in favor of reducing penalties for drug possession from felonies to misdemeanors.  The poll was conducted by Lake Research Center.

The results of the poll, which were released in April, found that 75% of California voters prefer reducing the penalty for possession of small amount of drugs.  The poll suggests that Californians believe the current penalties for minor drug possession are far too severe.  Besides, 56% of respondents also believe that far many people are imprisoned in California. 

Also, 51% of the respondents believe that people who are found in possession of small amount of drugs should have lower penalties.  Twenty seven percent believe that possessing small amounts of drugs should not be penalized with more than three months in jail, while 24% of the respondents believe that such people should not be punished with jail time at all.

When it comes to categorizing these crimes, voters overwhelmingly believe that possession of small amounts of drugs should be misdemeanors.  Just 12% of California voters in the survey believe that possession of a small amount of drugs should constitute a felony.  Forty percent of respondents believe that possession of a small amount of illegal drugs should be considered an infraction, without prison time as a consequence. 

Currently, under California's laws, persons in possession of heroin or cocaine can spend between 16 months and three years in prison.

The results of the survey seem to cut across boundaries, with strong numbers of Republicans, Democrats and Independents voicing the same opinions.  Much of this opposition to heavy prison terms for small drug offenses is because of financial concerns.  Californians know that putting more people in prison for long periods of time for possession of small amount of drugs not only strains the state’s already stressed resources, but also leads to prison overcrowding.