"In the US last year, 754,224 people were arrested for possession (not dealing or production) of marijuana."
It is, as Steve put it, simply insane.
If there's one University of Delaware policy I fully agreed with it was that they didn't arrest people for simple marijuana possession. The money and resources wasted by arresting folks for possession of weed is simply astounding.
Also, speaking from personal experience, it sucks having to divulge that you've been arrested even if it was for something trivial and there was no conviction.
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Mike W., This is something we are in total agreement on.
The sad thing MikeB, is that you can see the utter futility of attacking the drug problem from the supply side but fail to see how that correlates to the gun control movement.
Where I work, also a university, simple having a small amount at most nets a non-criminal citation, so it doesn't go on a criminal record. The university decided a few years ago that it's not worth completely screwing a students future life because of a little experimenting in college.
Granded we've had one or two repeat offenders over the years that sometimes get their charges stepped up, but that's not a simple possetion issue anymore.
As for how it correlates to the gun control movement? It prevents stupid college kids from building up a long and stupid criminal record. A couple little mistakes in your college life shouldn't make it hard for you to purchase a gun later in life.
Granded we've had one or two repeat offenders over the years that sometimes get their charges stepped up, but that's not a simple possetion issue anymore.
It shouldn't be an issue, period,.
Fred,
I think that MikeW was talking about how the War on (Some) Drugs has utterly failed to stop drug use.
Of course, through out history there hasn't been a single ban that has eradicated the item banned.
Cities like Washington D.C & Chicago have banned firearms....so they should be safe havens, right MikeB
Right. As Bob S. said, the correlation is that supply side restrictions don't work They have never worked.
If someone like MikeB can clearly see this on the issue of drugs why does he steadfastly refuse to see it with regards to guns?
Pistolero - Agreed. It shouldn't be a crime at all. It's also amazingly prevalent. I'd say it's almost as easy for a college student to get weed as it is for him to get alcohol underage.
I was arrested on a clerical error, eventully the lost paperwork was found and all charges were dropped.
Still on all those state and federal forms I need to write my little story out...I've heard it doesn't even show up on my records, but I'm not taking any chances.
This is a prime example of a victimless crime that is turned monstrous by good intentions.
When Cops are busting kids for dope possession they could be chasing violent criminals, or using those bunks in prison for dangerous people.
Also because of the legal issues drugs are often transported and sold through the gangs...who use the money to have violent turf wars.
Just a total disaster!
BTW here in Mass I occasionally see people smoking pot on the sidewalk! We've made it a misdemeanor crime to posses under an ounce. I suspect that the cops had better things to do than write these kids a ticket.
"Of course, through out history there hasn't been a single ban that has eradicated the item banned."
The 'ban the bra movement' of the early 70s almost worked. Oh had it only succeeded!
Luckily, the ban of personal possession and discharge of nuclear weapons, in this country, has also worked so far. As a matter of fact I think it has worked worldwide so far. Too bad we cannot ban them altogether. I would be all for that but I am a realist - never going to happen without divine intervention or aliens landing and telling us to give them up or else.
All the best,
GB
It is easy money for the courts, and low risk to law enforcement
Glen B,
Don't be too sure on that nuclear weapon ban.
While this was a nuclear reactor, I have found that many people are unfamiliar with the story.
http://www.dangerouslaboratories.org/radscout.html/
If this story isn't well known, it is entirely feasible that possession of personal nuclear weapons has not been released due to "national security".
Just because we don't know, doesn't mean it hasn't happened.
I've never lived anywhere where they will arrest you for small amounts (under an ounce sounds about right).
It's just too much trouble for the police to bother with it.
Unfortunately, we don't know the details of the arrests because there may be something more to them.
I'm so unaware about marijuana its sad.
To me, I agree that it seems like a lot of effort and demand on police resources.
I don't know what the fuss is about, as I have never smoked, but I feel like the gun community more than most can be sympathetic to the marijuana community as we both are often demonized by mass media without a lot of 'hard facts' behind the chastising.
however, I have to say again, I know virtually nothing about pot that isn't in the MSM.
Mike, honestly I'd say you know all you need to.
It's an intoxicating, non-addictive drug (tho like sex, gambling, and eating, people CAN get addicted to it) when you're high you're not on your A-game and comparisons can be made to the legal alcohol.
It is most often smoked, which is bad for your health...tho its rarely smoked in the same volume as cigarettes.
And generally there appears to be no reason to make it illegal besides that "it's always been illegal anyway"
I'd much rather police spend money going after violent criminals rather than goofy stoners.
Weer'd
And generally there appears to be no reason to make it illegal besides that "it's always been illegal anyway"
And even that argument doesn't hold up.
Prior to 1937 marijuana was legal in the States
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