Southern California law enforcement officials on Wednesday ... At the same time, the officials rejected opponents’ concerns that Prop. 36 would result in mass incarceration in an era when state prison and county jail populations have been dwindling.

California voters approved a ballot measure that will impose stricter penalties for repeat theft and crimes involving fentanyl.

Now, certain drug offenses and thefts under $950 can be classified as felonies rather than misdemeanors if the suspected perpetrator has two or more past convictions for theft crimes.