Posted on 12/10/2015 10:17:56 AM PST by ConservingFreedom
NAPLES, FL - They're normally the guys locking people up for marijuana possession, but a group of current and former law enforcement officers will meet in Naples to push for people's right to get high.
Not all law enforcement officers are on board, however. Legalizing marijuana, it's a hot-button issue in Florida.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition is pushing for the change to save taxpayer dollars and valuable resources.
"Sixty-thousand people get arrested every year for marijuana possession. That's a waste of law-enforcement resources," said Ray Strack of LEAP.
The group meets Thursday in Naples. The Florida Sheriff's Association is not on board with the plan or Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummel.
"No, I don't want to see that in Florida. We want to be known for our sunshine, our beaches, and Mickey Mouse. We don't want to be known for marijuana," said Sheriff Bill Prummell. "I'm just kind of surprised that fellow law enforcement are 'pro' this."
At the top of Thursday's agenda? Promoting initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana.
"We believe strongly in a regulated market. That's what we have [with] alcohol and tobacco," said Strack.
We found people Wednesday who said the current pot penalties are a waste of time.
"I think people would be surprised there's a lot of up-standing people that do it; they just haven't gotten caught," said Punta Gorda resident David Choken.
But Sheriff Prummel said catching pot smokers usually leads to other crimes.
"I don't see it as a waste of time because, like I stated before, they're likely involved in something else, or they're going to expand into something."
The meeting is free and open to the public Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Collier County Library Headquarters in Naples. If you plan on going, you can expect to learn about three amendments focused on the decriminalization of marijuana.
Ping for your Interest.
FL attorneys ar like organized criminals... they are already preparing for legalization; own smoke shops, writing laws for distribution, and arranging smoke shops in shopping centers.
Soon the only crime will be Murder of a minority. Making just one crime would save resources and law enforcement could focus on a limited population.
Obvious question. Thank you for posting it.
Morgan and Morgan and Charlie Crist .
Darn tootin' - what's more conservative than earning a living by selling adults things they want to buy?
Yeah I know the parents spending their money on drugs are not really depriving their children. The drugged parent crashing their car are not really endangering their children. You people are so besotted that you have lost all judgement. You have to have your drugs and God Help us your vice is winning. It is no improvement when a population becomes devoted to eating, drinking, drugging, copulating, evacuating the bowels and snoring. We all suffer fool! We are the victims.
the parents spending their money on drugs are not really depriving their children.
No more so than if they spend money their kids need on, say, flashy jewelry - shjould we ban that too?
The drugged parent crashing their car are not really endangering their children.
That's not the sale ... and many buyers of alcohol or other drugs go on to not crash their car. My statement stands unrefuted.
It is no improvement when a population becomes devoted to eating, drinking, drugging, copulating, evacuating the bowels and snoring. We all suffer fool! We are the victims.
We're victims of snoring?
DUI is already against the law whether marijuana is legal or not.
Yes, we absolutely need one more source of drunk driving. In short two wrongs make a right. I absolutely agree that vice is nice. In reality the great American tragedy being the druggies are winning as Americans degenerate into a vice besotted populace.
DUI is already against the law whether marijuana is legal or not.
True. Also, the illegality of marijuana may actually incentivize its users to use it before they drive home, so as to minimize the length of time they're in possession.
Don't we need one fewer? Shouldn't we ban alcohol?
the druggies are winning as Americans degenerate into a vice besotted populace.
Any such degeneration preceded the legalization of pot.
Hey, I admit the druggie has won. We the sober will have to live with the consequences(Such as Colorado businesses having their workers show up wasted, the spike in accidents; the property crimes committed to get drug money etc. You druggies have truly achieved a great victory.
But Sheriff Prummel said catching pot smokers usually leads to other crimes.
“I don’t see it as a waste of time because, like I stated before, they’re likely involved in something else, or they’re going to expand into something.”
Gee, Sheriff, why don’t we just outlaw being poor? Most crime is committed by poor people, so poor people are probably involved in crime, or they’re going to expand into something...
Indeed, they sound more like shrewd businessmen than organized criminals to me.
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