The legalization of marijuana was just the beginning of what is soon to be hundreds of courts changing charges across cities adjusting to Proposition 64. The decriminalization of certain marijuana charges takes effect immediately and is impacting many residents. People who have been convicted of a marijuana-related crime can petition to have their convictions undone and/or reformed. Sacramento has about 75 of these cases and the state of California should have thousands.
Ken Marsullo, who worked at a Stockton dispensary for many years, was being charged with a felony for cultivation. Felonies commonly result in jail time, thousands of dollars in legislation, and a tarnished record. The new laws now make charges against Marsullo a misdemeanor.
“All this really happened unexpectedly,” said Ken Marsullo, “it really hasn’t been easy the last few months.”
Marsullo’s attorney Allen Sawyer stated, “Closes a lot of doors and forever impacts them and it could take a lifetime to try and undo that.”They’re not required to report that on job applications. It’s a lot easier to get an expungement. It’s a lot easier to move forward.”
Under the new law, cultivation is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500 and a maximum of six months in jail.
“Whatever was charged as a felony and should be a misdemeanor, we were reducing them to misdemeanors as they come along,” said Steve Grippi, the Deputy District Attorney in Sacramento County.
MAPH Enterprises, LLC | (305) 414-0128 | 1501 Venera Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | new@marijuanastocks.com
