Duuuude, you can make, like, totally bitchin' clothes from hemp.
And in a pinch you can, like, smoke your own pants.
Posted on 03/18/2007 10:00:32 AM PDT by SJackson
Brad Westerwelle: Putting addicts in prison for pot is senseless
A letter to the editor
Dear Editor:
In May 2005 I was found in possession of two bags of marijuana totaling nine grams, and am now labeled as a drug dealer and given a sentence of 48 months probation that includes two years in prison if the probation is revoked.
I have spent most of the last year and a half in and out of jail for dirty urinalysis tests because I have a drug addiction. Now I'm facing revocation for smoking marijuana. They say I'm a danger to society when in truth the only thing in any danger is a bag of Doritos.
I feel that probation and parole - even the justice system - have failed. They want to send a taxpayer who also pays child support to prison for smoking a natural plant. They say I've had my chance at drug treatment but are quick to say I can enter a program in prison. I've already served about 16 months in jail of my two years and have only eight to nine months left to do in prison if revoked. With overcrowding the waiting list for a program is over one year in most prisons, so all I can do is take up bed space. If this is what this country is coming to, then I feel sorry for the next generation of Americans.
I hope you print these words I've written so the bigwigs on Capitol Hill see that Wisconsin has become a "people farm" for potheads and addicts.
I was brought up to believe prisons were for violent criminals, not for people who have drug addictions. I also hope to open the eyes of the public where tax dollars are being spent in the system. Instead of more jails and prisons, how about more drug treatment programs for the people who need it?
Brad Westerwelle Sauk County
Published: March 16, 2007
He shouldn't be in prison, he should be behind the wheel of a car.
I read a blog the other day from some idiot who blamed marijuana laws for his friend's drunk driving arrest. Basically he claimed his friend couldn't work as a truck driver because he would be drug tested so he ended up getting arrested for drunk driving. (in a big rig)
I told him that I support decriminalization but I still want strict laws covering driving under the influence. (people driving 20mph under the limit are dangerous too.) I also told him that I would feel better if his friend were in prison for drinking behind the wheel of the truck.
Prisons are for people who get convicted of violating the law. Drug possession and usage is against the law. So is buying it from someone, who likely is breaking a host of other laws. This dude needs to get locked up before he develops another criminal addiction.
Too bad this weak character will be costing taxpayers thousands of dollars for his treatment and incarceration, but it's still better than having him out on the highway. Potheads always have a higher opinion of themselves than they ought to have.
Quit smoking it, Brad.
Given this guy's comment that his smoking a natural plant does society no harm, it does not seem rehabilitation is going to do him any good.
I have been to those programs that are made useless to other patients attending, because some court-ordered smart ass pothead who doesn't want to reform his lifestyle, wastes everyone's time by arguing with the counselor.
This guy seems to expect the government to pay for a program for him and apparently spent much of his PBJ time in jail for his attitude and noncompliance. So yeah, he now has a record but it was his choice.
Duuuude, you can make, like, totally bitchin' clothes from hemp.
And in a pinch you can, like, smoke your own pants.
Hey Brad, you are going to jail because you have no respect for the law or either you feel it doesn't apply to you.
I gotta agree with Crippecreek on this one. Should it be decriminalized? Yeah, absolutely. But that doesn't mean you should be allowed to drive while under it's influence. Just because I have the right to go buy some Rolling Rocks does not mean I have the right to endanger other people because I lacked the responsiblity and maturity to not drive while intoxicated.
When he got behind the wheel, he crossed a line, and he should be punished for that.
I had to make a choice in life after I got two drunk driving arrests over a period of years. I could either quit drinking or I could quit driving. Driving was more important.
None of the pot-head chicks I know are that skinny or attractive. I wonder why?
I and many of my friends smoked marijuana back in the day (When I grew up, I stopped). I ALWAYS new if I needed to be somewhere hours later, and if I did, I didn't smoke. I never wanted to compromise myself by letting something that I felt could be enjoyed responsibly be abused by getting behind the wheel.
And congrats on quitting drinking! How long have you been sober, if you don't mind me asking?
I haven't drank for about 9 years. Something they said I couldn't do without spending lots of money on treatment.
Congrats! Keep it up.
Yep I agree.
If some guy wants to sit home on his day off watch sports eat tons of junk food while being mentally slow and enjoying pot like a good cigar his biz.
Just as long as he doesn't drive or show up stoned on the job just like booze.
In moderation of course.
If something has to be decriminalized, then, by definition, it is criminal NOW. Either the law matters or it doesn't.
"I have a drug addiction."
No he doesn't, he's a loser.
"Sweaty palms and a bad mood?"
If that.
LOL...according to your home page....... you're 21.......LAUGHING MY ASS OFF
Go get a Syphilis shot........
Damn KIDS!
Has the guy in this story been convicted of driving under the influence? If not, he's absolutely correct. Putting someone in jail for 9 grams of pot is about as big a waste of jail space as it gets. Then again, I'm under the impression that jail and prison space should be used to keep dangerous people away from society.....not those possessing 9 grams of plant matter.
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