LOS ANGELES - Supporters of Proposition 47 are rolling out television ads as national money comes to bear in the campaign to reduce drug penalties in California.

The Yes on 47 committee and four other supporting campaigns reported collecting nearly $9 million by Friday. That compares with $445,000 brought in by opponents, largely money from state police officer unions.

Proposition 47 would make possession of most drugs, including heroin and cocaine, a misdemeanor. It also would reduce petty theft, forgery and bad check and shoplifting charges to misdemeanors if the value of the goods stolen is $950 or less.

State Department of Justice records show the measure could potentially affect one out of five felony convictions in California, though under state laws that went into effect in 2011, most of those offenders already do not go to prison and many do not stay behind bars.

Until recently, the ballot initiative's biggest funder was George Soros, the billionaire activist and a champion of decriminalizing drug use. His Open Society Policy Foundation has sent $1.4 million to the campaign.

Late-filed contribution reports show that the American Civil Liberties Union has now brought $3.5 million to the effort. (Source: Los Angeles Times)

Story Date: October 27, 2014