California voters have approved a ballot initiative, Proposition 69, to create a statewide database of DNA. The state will pay for this registry by raising the fines on many minor offenses.

All felony adult and juvenile arrestees, even those not charged or convicted, will be required to submit a sample of DNA taken by a swab of the mouth. The Drug Policy Alliance was concerned about several aspects of this initiative:

1. Seizing property (including genetic information) without due process of law.
2. The further erosion of the line between guilty and not guilty in our society.
3. Increased penalties for minor crimes such as jaywalking or marijuana possession.
4. The creation of a mammoth state program that -- due to human or technological error -- will likely result in innocent people being incarcerated.
5. The creation of a new, nonviolent felony offense that could result in life sentences until the "three-strikes" law is revised.

• Learn more: protectmydna.org