Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Has ANYONE ever been imprisoned for smoking pot?
09/21/02 | Libloather

Posted on 09/21/2002 5:49:50 PM PDT by Libloather

Liberteens come, and Liberteens go. But they seem to have an awful time with their own (and biggest - maybe only) issue - pot.

As far as anyone can tell, not ONE person has been placed behind bars for smoking pot. But the Liberteens paint an entirely different picture. They claim that HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS are behind bars for smoking.

Can anyone provide any proof either way?


TOPICS: Heated Discussion
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 461-478 next last
From a fellow FReeper -

"As far as I know, ironically, there is no law that prohibits smoking marijuana."

1 posted on 09/21/2002 5:49:50 PM PDT by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Zon; KDD
Flail away...
2 posted on 09/21/2002 5:51:13 PM PDT by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The FRugitive; Wolfie; OWK; Sandy; Phantom Lord; JediGirl; Xenalyte; headsonpikes; realpatriot71
Your big day!
3 posted on 09/21/2002 5:57:21 PM PDT by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
Well, you can definately spend some nights in jail for posession. Also, if you are having a party, and you buy in quantity, then you'll be charged with intent to deal.
4 posted on 09/21/2002 5:58:12 PM PDT by BrooklynGOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BrooklynGOP; scholar
...if you are having a party, and you buy in quantity, then you'll be charged with intent to deal.

But that isn't what scholar sez.

Our prison system is overburdened with non-violent, pot-smoking "criminals" while the big time dealers never find their way to prison. In the meantime, child molesters are given suspended sentences and walk free. I cannot begin to grasp the logic of our criminal justice system.

Maybe scholar is wrong - eh?

5 posted on 09/21/2002 6:03:07 PM PDT by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
True - but no one has ever spent time in jail for stuffing rounds into a firearm, either...
6 posted on 09/21/2002 6:04:43 PM PDT by Senator Pardek
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Senator Pardek
...no one has ever spent time in jail for stuffing rounds into a firearm, either...

When that become relevant, I'll let you know...

7 posted on 09/21/2002 6:06:58 PM PDT by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
Your informant is correct. There is, in fact, no law against being stoned, per se. There are laws against possession, and DUI. People have gone to jail for DUI, even without anyone being harmed, and to federal prison, for possession of pot.

Harry Anslinger especially targeted black musician users for federal jail until one of our presidents told him to cut it the hell out.

There is a(n) (in)famous case here in Oregon of a black musician sent several times to Sheridan for possession. It is not high on federal prosecutor's list of things to do, but it is a federal crime worth 6 mo. to a year in a federal pen, usually suspended in return for mandated "therapy", for a virgin offender, so if a constable brings it in, they will prosecute. And if the offense is repeated enough, it will bring a prison term.

You are, I presume, aware that the BofP publishes stats on this question every year, promptly followed up by BofP apologists who like to suggest that all the people in prison for pot, are really in prison for some major crime that got bargained down. Are you comforted?

8 posted on 09/21/2002 6:07:07 PM PDT by donh
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
The laws are against possession. That's how it's relevant.
9 posted on 09/21/2002 6:08:30 PM PDT by Senator Pardek
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
"BJS officials also estimated that 42% of state "marijuana only" prisoners and 23% of federal "marijuana only" prisoners were incarcerated for possession, not "trafficking."[7] ("Trafficking" includes "possession with intent to distribute.") Applied to the previously calculated estimates, as adjusted for the June 1998 prisoner counts, there would be 7,400 state prisoners and 2,300 federal prisoners incarcerated for marijuana possession only, for a total of 9,700 prisoners."

BJS is "Bureau of Justice Statistics." I found this at the first link in a Google search, something I presume you are capable of doing yourself.

10 posted on 09/21/2002 6:09:06 PM PDT by Trailerpark Badass
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BrooklynGOP
We all pretty much know what can happen ... the question is ... has anyone (here) ever been popped?

Personally ... my pot days ended in 1981. I discovered it in '66.

In all that time, I've never been busted for reefer ... plenty of drunk over-nighters, but no drug busts.

Once, I was busted as a public drunk and the cops found an empty 'Boro pack with some acidic aspirin (We were clever in those days) in it.

They sent it off to the lab for analysis, but I convinced the judge they were just aspirin and I walked after promising never to get caught drunk again on the streets of Bostson>

I remember telling this story to my freinds that night in some joint (maybe the original CHEERS) somewhere in Kenmore Square that night ... right before I passed out or went into a walking coma.

Don't really know ... can't remember $h!t.

That's why 1981 is so memorable ... I met Jesus, quit drinking and drugging.

Cigarettes are an entirely different addiction.

11 posted on 09/21/2002 6:10:47 PM PDT by knarf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: donh
..all the people in prison for pot, are really in prison for some major crime that got bargained down.

You're really helping me out - no?

12 posted on 09/21/2002 6:11:39 PM PDT by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Senator Pardek
The laws are against possession.

That wasn't the question. Again, when that become relevant, I'll let you know...

13 posted on 09/21/2002 6:13:17 PM PDT by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: donh
Harry Anslinger especially targeted black musician users for federal jail until one of our presidents told him to cut it the hell out.

The Marxists are still using that example in black neighborhoods to stir up strife and resistence against "The Man."

In the Marxist paradise, the state will wither away and everyone will be free to smoke pot all day long if they so desire.

Sounds a lot like the libertarian paradise.

14 posted on 09/21/2002 6:14:26 PM PDT by Kevin Curry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Trailerpark Badass
I found this at the first link in a Google search, something I presume you are capable of doing yourself.

I'm kewl wiff it, but it still doesn't answer the question.

The question is - Has ANYONE ever been imprisoned for smoking pot?

Wanna try again?

15 posted on 09/21/2002 6:16:30 PM PDT by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
The question is - Has ANYONE ever been imprisoned for smoking pot?

No... but to smoke pot, you must posess it, and hence smokers have gone to jail, for posession.

16 posted on 09/21/2002 6:18:57 PM PDT by Lunatic Fringe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
You have proof that Liberteens made that exact claim?

You have proof of such an entity as a "Liberteen"? (A freedom lover under twenty yet older than twelve?)

Or you just looking to empty a spray can?

M

17 posted on 09/21/2002 6:19:42 PM PDT by AzJP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
The question is illogical. You have to possess it to smoke it. No one is gets it because they want to look at it.
18 posted on 09/21/2002 6:19:48 PM PDT by aynrandfreak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

"As far as I know, ironically, there is no law that prohibits smoking marijuana."

That quote was from me to you over on this thread: Drug Czar on Anti-Marijuana Crusade. (An interesting juxtaposition between myself and liblother.)

IMO, it is a misnomer that smoking marijuana is prohibited by law. As far as I know there is no law that prohibits smoking marijuana. There are laws prohibiting possession of marijuana.

In a court of law the distinction is critical. One act can result in a court trial, the other doesn't. One act can result in being sent to prison, the other can't.

This forum is not a court of law and it is logically assumed by the vast majority of people that in order to smoke marijuana a person must have marijuana in their possession.

You appear to be making a very petty argument.

19 posted on 09/21/2002 6:19:48 PM PDT by Zon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather
This web page cites "Marijuana Arrests and Incarceration in the United States," (Chuck Thomas; Drug Policy Analysis Bulletin, Issue Number Seven, June 1999; Washington, D.C.: Federation of American Scientists) as saying that 60,000 people were incarcerated for marijuana offenses. That article may have a breakdown of the 1999 figures.
20 posted on 09/21/2002 6:21:27 PM PDT by Physicist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 461-478 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson