Tough penalties for drug crimes and thefts could make a comeback in California as voters will have a chance in the fall to overturn a nearly decade-old law that downgraded some nonviolent offenses to misdemeanors.

California voters in November will weigh in on bringing back felony charges for offenders facing their third drug possession or third theft offense.

District attorneys throughout the state pushed to revisit the lighter sentences that first came about from the 2014 ballot measure, Proposition 47, which supporters argued at the time would save the state money by keeping low-level offenders out of jail.

But California has changed in the 10 years since the measure was passed, with rampant retail theft in major cities and open drug use associated with the state’s rising homeless population, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

The Chronicle said supporters of revisiting Proposition 47 include San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, while Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders in the State Assembly and State Senate were against reviving the tougher penalties.    

Big-name retailers Home Depot, Walmart and Target, among others, are backing the return to tougher sentences.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.