Posted on 01/23/2014 12:38:11 PM PST by thetallguy24
SAN ANTONIO — Texas Gov. Rick Perry signaled Thursday that he's for the decriminalization of marijuana use — not legalization, but the softening of punishment for marijuana users in the border state.
“As governor, I have begun to implement policies that start us toward a decriminalization” by introducing alternative “drug courts” that provide treatment and softer penalties for minor offenses, Perry said during an international panel on drug legalization at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
His spokesman confirmed that Perry is staunchly opposed to legalization of marijuana because of the dangers that have been associated with the drug, but is committed to decriminalization policies to lower the punishment for its use in order to keep smokers out of jail.
“Legalization is no penalty at all, where as decriminalization doesn't necessarily mean jail time (for minor possession offenses.) It means more of a fine or counseling or some sort of program where you don't end up in jail but in a rehabilitative program,” said Lucy Nashed, a spokesman for Perry.
(Excerpt) Read more at mysanantonio.com ...
Decriminalization keeps it off of store shelves. It doesn’t make it legal or endorse it.
Those who rub their palms saying they will invite drug tourists to their state and tax the hell out of it are heartily endorsing it.
Decriminalization is a heck of a lot wiser than legalization.
Why not?
Keep people in drug induced hazes by any means. Plenty of bread and circuses and voila !
Instant sheeple, perpetual Statism.
” ... by means of ever more effective methods of mind-manipulation, the democracies will change their nature; the quaint old forms—elections, parliaments, Supreme Courts and all the rest—will remain. The underlying substance will be a new kind of non-violent totalitarianism. All the traditional names, all the hallowed slogans will remain exactly what they were in the good old days. Democracy and freedom will be the theme of every broadcast and editorial—but Democracy and freedom in a strictly Pickwickian sense. Meanwhile the ruling oligarchy and its highly trained elite of soldiers, policemen, thought-manufacturers and mind-manipulators will quietly run the show as they see fit. “
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World Revisited, published 1958
I hate drugs and druggies, but I became libertarian on that particular issue because of the abuses of our local cops.
-— for the record, I am in NM, home of the double-illegal anal probe cops and doctors without a warrant. Sad to say, this is pretty typical behavior for them.
Is this how we plan to out liberal the democrats this election? First Christie and now Perry are on the anti-war against drugs bandwagon.
So now he’s a libertarian? What the he11 is wrong with my elected officials in Texas? Who paid him to change his stance?
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Hold on now. See my tagline. I HATE libertarians. And ask anybody; I’m as big a pro-WOD drug warrior as they come.
But there is a difference between legalization and decriminalization.
Rick Perry had his faults. But this ain’t one of them.
I agree with him. Putting minor users of marijuana in jail does no good. They get out and do it again and we had to pay for their upkeep in jail or prison. Someone caught isn’t let go, he/she is arrested and will go to a court to determine how to help the person kick the habit, rehab/counseling, etc.. Paying millions of dollars for prisoner upkeep of people who smoked some marijuana is a waste of money.
Drug sellers would not be a part of this group - drug sellers would still go to prison.
It appears the name Perry, has moved onto the new “HIT LIST” on the Obama/Clinton, smear campaign witch hunt.. Trolls aren’t decriminalized on FR, FYI.. jus sayin
As a former soldier in the WOD I have always felt that it should be a summons type offense for simple possession under a certain amount. If you have a larger amount it is obvious you are dealing and should have the hammer dropped. Legalization is just stupid however.
Decriminalization basically means that pot possession gets you a fine instead of a prison sentence. I never smoke it, but I don’t want my tax dollars going to feeding druggies in the clink. In the end of the day while bad for you, pot is not nearly as bad as alcohol or tobacco. That said, I can’t say I really care about the issue.
/johnny
Texas? Going blue I see.
I am in NM, home of the double-illegal anal probe cops and doctors without a warrant. Sad to say, this is pretty typical behavior for them.
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So, some day, should I ever need a colonoscopy or something, I should just go get myself arrested for jaywalking?
Good to know. Might save me a few bucks!
That will make some Texas heads explode!
I bet some will think Rick is soft on drugs because of a post-surgery addiction. /S
But, I think it’s the right thing to do.
Dang, you didn't give them credit for the enemas or the colonoscopy.
America 2014. Dopehead nation. Homosex nation.
The flag should really replace its stars-and-stripes in favor of one with marijuana leaves and anuses.
Might save me a few bucks!
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Don’t trust them to remove any polyps
I don't.
“So, some day, should I ever need a colonoscopy or something, I should just go get myself arrested for jaywalking?”
Rolling a stop sign is the traditional ticket to multiple enemas, pooping in front of 5 or 6 guys, and two anal probes.
“Might save me a few bucks!”
Actually, the hospital and doctor who performed the forced surgeries sent the victim a bill.
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