Controlled Substances Archives - Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts

California Votes to Downgrade Drug Crimes: Is Illinois Next?

On November 4, 2014, voters in California changed yesterday’s felony drug possession into today’s misdemeanor. Voters passed a significant ballot measure, Proposition 47, a criminal reform initiative to dramatically reduce the punishment for a variety of crimes. The passage of Proposition 47 made C...

Emanuel’s Push To Decriminalize Marijuana Possession and Downgrade Possession of Other Substances Is Great For Diverting Drug Addicts, Saving Taxpayer Resources

On Tuesday, September 23rd, Mayor Rahm Emanuel plans to call on state lawmakers to decriminalize marijuana possession statewide and to reduce the penalty to a misdemeanor for those caught with 1 gram or less of any controlled substance. "It is time to put our sentencing policies in line with our v...