Billionaire liberal financier George Soros has donated another $400,000 backing the ballot measure that would loosen penalties and expand rehabilitation programs for nonviolent drug offenders in California.
The $400,000 donation comes on top of the $1 million Soros gave earlier this year to Proposition 5.
The Nov. 4 ballot measure would lessen the charge for marijuana possession from a misdemeanor to an infraction, expand drug treatment programs in the state and overhaul parole laws.
Soros has played a financial role in at least two other past California ballot campaigns, giving $1 million to Proposition 36, the successful 2000 drug treatment initiative, and nearly $500,000 to pass the state's medical marijuana law in 1996.
The No on 5 campaign has raised little more so far -- reporting roughly $20,000 in contributions -- though it has received the high-profile support of actor Martin Sheen, best known in the political world for playing the president on the "West Wing" TV series.
Sheen's son, actor Charlie Sheen, has faced drug abuse problems.
"Fighting drug addiction is an issue that is very close to my heart," the elder Sheen said in a statement released by the campaign. I believe in rehabilitation and not incarceration. But successful rehabilitation needs accountability and so often demands direct intervention in the life of someone who is addicted to drugs, rather than waiting for them to seek treatment 'when they are ready.' "
Sheen hasn't donated to the No on 5 effort, according to state records, but he will serve a co-chairman of the campaign.
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