(Woodland, CA) – On September 22, 2026, the Yolo County Attorney’s Office celebrated its first successful graduation from the county’s Proposition 36 mandated treatment program. The Honorable Sonia Cortes dismissed the criminal case against Marc Lasonde, 40, of Woodland, after he successfully completed approximately 16 months of substance use disorder treatment and demonstrated sustained sobriety.
Lasonde was charged with Health and Safety Code section 11395 after he was found in possession of approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine on January 15, 2025. He had three prior convictions for possession of hard drugs in San Francisco and Yolo Counties between 2010 and 2022. He was represented by the Yolo County Conflict Panel.
On April 17, 2025, Lasonde entered no contest pleas to the charges and began residential substance use disorder treatment through Proposition 36. He successfully graduated from residential treatment on August 8, 2025, and transitioned to outpatient services. He was also referred to a sober living environment to provide additional stability while he continued his recovery.
His path through treatment was not without difficulty. In December of 2025, Lasonde voluntarily reported that he had relapsed, resulting in his discharge from treatment. Rather than abandoning the program, however, Lasonde took responsibility for the setback, reengaged in treatment, and continued working toward recovery while residing in a sober living environment. He completed outpatient treatment in July 2026 and continued participating in the program, including random drug testing, until demonstrating sustained sobriety sufficient for graduation.
At the September 22 hearing, Lasonde was permitted to withdraw his no contest pleas and the case against him was dismissed in its entirety.
“This graduation demonstrates what can happen when accountability and meaningful treatment work together,” said Yolo County District Attorney Melinda Aiello. “Recovery is not always a straight line. What mattered here was that marc took responsibility when he experienced a setback, returned to treatment, and continued doing the work necessary to change his life. When someone is willing and able to invest in their own recovery, our justice system should provide an opportunity for that person to succeed. Proposition 36 gives participants that opportunity while requiring them to remain accountable throughout the process.”
Yolo County’s Proposition 36 mandated treatment program is designed to provide treatment based on the individual needs of each participant. Participants are evaluated by a substance use disorder treatment provider using the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) assessment criteria. That assessment helps determine the appropriate level of treatment, including whether an individual should begin in residential or outpatient care.
Participants placed in residential treatment generally remain there for approximately 90 days before transitioning to outpatient services. When appropriate, participants may also be referred to sober living environments to provide a safe and stable place to continue their recovery. Throughout the program, participants remain engaged in treatment and are subject to random drug testing. Once a participant has demonstrated sustained sobriety and successful engagement with treatment, they may become eligible for graduation and dismissal of their criminal case.
Lasonde’s graduation marks the first successful completion of Yolo County’s Proposition 36 mandated treatment program since its implementation.
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