Thousands of prisoners in California could be released due to a voter-approved initiative that reclassifies nonviolent felonies like shoplifting and drug possession as misdemeanors.

California voted to pass Proposition 47 on Tuesday, which reduces penalties for nonviolent crimes and theft crimes that involve less than $950. As a result, up to 10,000 inmates could be eligible for early release from state prisons, reports the Huffington Post. Plus, courts will likely dispense about 40,000 fewer felony convictions on an annual basis.

Prison reform advocates celebrated the passing of the ballot measure, which they say will drastically cut the rate of mass incarceration and reduce overcrowded prisons. California's Legislative Analyst's Office also released a statement estimating that the new measure will save the state hundreds of millions of dollars on prisons. As a result, that money will be allocated towards funding for education, mental health and addiction services.

Advocates pushing the initiative were able to raise $7 million by mid-October for Proposition 47, or the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, from companies likes Hughes and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. The proposition also received bi-partisan support from conservatives like Newt Gingrich and business magnate B. Wayne Hughes Jr. and progressive music artists like John Legend and Jay-Z.

According to the Los Angeles Times, city attorneys responsible for processing traffic tickets and zoning violations will now prosecute crimes that used to be felonies.

However, critics of the measure say that it could make it harder to prosecute felony gun theft or possession of date-rape drugs. Others point out that district attorneys can no longer use the threat of a felony conviction to persuade drug offenders to seek help at a rehabilitation program.

"I can't say I agree with Proposition 47. It should have mandated treatment," said Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey. "Most of the money from the initiative will go to mental health and substance abuse treatment, but how we will get people to accept that treatment is the question."