The Ballot Measures: Prop 5

Over the next couple weeks, we at Skynet will be bringing you our suggestions regarding the 12 ballot measures that qualified for the November 4th election.

Prop 5 - NONVIOLENT DRUG OFFENSES. SENTENCING,
PAROLE AND REHABILITATION.

Vote: YES

This was a tough one to call, though probably not for the reasons you imagine. Keeping non-violent drug offenders out of our already overcrowded prisons is absolutely the right way to go and this measure is a good step in that direction.

My issue with the measure is the funding. Ballot measures that allocate budget dollars are a big part of the reason our budget is perpetually late and thrown together like a patchwork quilt. Here though, we have a situation where the measure will pay for itself and then some. This state spends an obscene amount of money to incarcerate people. There is no reason to waste money locking up people who just want a harmless high.