Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham helps marijuana offenders stay out of jail

• She campaigned on improving racial and income disparities in prosecutions, as well as diversion programs for juveniles.

Driving the news: Axios chatted with Graham about her first year and what she envisions for the future.

What's new: A marijuana diversion program.

State of play: One of Graham's priorities was ending prosecutions of low-level marijuana possessions.

• The first offense is considered a misdemeanor — punishable by up to six months of jail and a $1,000 fine.

Zoom in: Graham created a new program that dismisses a suspect's first-offense charge if they get a substance use evaluation and complete any treatment recommendations.

• Linn County has a similar program.

What they're saying: "I would have preferred not to prosecute these crimes at all because we have a lot of other things that are higher priorities in my opinion in this office," Graham says.

Between the lines: The program complies with state law, however and helps offenders avoid big fines and a criminal record.

• 237 people completed the program in its first nine months and their charges were dismissed.

The big picture: In Iowa, Black people make up 4% of the population but are 7.3 times more likely to be arrested on marijuana charges and 11 times more likely to be incarcerated than white Iowans, according to the Register.