Countering Criminalization: Toward a Youth Development Approach to School Searches

A federal statute places a lifetime ban on food stamps for felony drug offenders. States may opt out. California only partially opted out of the ban. Thousands of otherwise eligible Californians are denied necessary and vital food assistance. This Note proposes that California fully opt out of the ban. This action would help remedy the problems associated with an inadequate food supply and bring desirable federal funds into California. An examination of the original purpose of the federal Food Stamp Program is used to conclude that no legitimate reasons exist for denying food stamps to drug offenders. While California’s partial opt-out provision was a step in the right direction, food stamp benefits have been conditionally restored to only a minuscule portion of the drug offender population. Proffered reasons for denying food stamps to drug offenders lack evidentiary support and serve only to feed the cycles of poverty, drug addiction, and crime. California Legislators should reconsider a full opt-out provision, and advocate for the restoration of food stamp benefits to all otherwise eligible drug offenders