[new cruelty]

Dutton doesn't condone marijuana use, but he says his bill would provide many people a second chance... to get hiiiiigggghhh.

[BrooklynGOP]

Good.

[HELLRAISER II]

I think it's a good idea, it shouldn't have the legal punishments that it currently has.

[Servant of the Nine]

Good. We need the jail space for more important criminals.

So9

[A CA Guy]

If it is a small amount and they are not #1 Dealing, #2 Growing & #3 Haven't killed/hurt anyone driving badly or at work.... a ticket for a first or minor offense should suffice.
Never legal though, would not suggest we give an impression of approval to chemical vices. We've had hard enough time with drinkers. Don't need to compound it any further IMO!

But a ticket for minor stuff does make total sense.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[FreeTally]

Right now it's a Class B misdemeanor in Texas, punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000 and/or confinement for a maximum of 180 days.

$2,000??? That's alot of money! Guess what happens if you can't pay it?

There have been so many incidences of where these "fines" end up leading to jail. Many people do live paycheck to paycheck. They get fined for this or that, many have no real way of paying the fine. When it goes unpaid for so long, a capius(sp) is issued. A cop decides to pull you over for not signaling, he finds out. The person gets arrested. Many times, the person is trying their best to make ends meet already. They get arrested, they get fired from work. Then they can't pay fines or anything.

Too many people have this erronious mentality that a fine is really less than being jailed. Its not, really. You don't pay the fine, then you are jailed. Its not a lesser punishment, its just extortion. Its no different than the school bully saying "give me your lunch money or get a black eye".

[Blackyce]

We are never gone to get smart about the drug war. Punish the USERS not the SELLERS. Otherwise, make it legal. Punish the supply side of the equation and you will end up with a blackmarket, because as long as there is demand, there WILL be Supply. Drug-trafficking is economically predictable, its not a moral decision. IF you can make $5/hour doing something or $1000/hour doing something else alot more risky, then, despite the risk, someone will play that game every time.

[Houmatt]

Looks like I am going to have to call my state rep.

[jmc813]

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