At a time of heightened national security post-911, a near-depression economy and state government budgets bleeding red coast to coast, what is the moral and economic imperative that compels some in law enforcement to seek lifetime sentences for small-time cannabis growers?
Again, cannabis consumers and activists should never shrink back from prohibitionist (and some in the media) arguments that “no one gets arrested for cannabis in the US (it’s practically legal!)” when over 755,000 cannabis consumers are busted annually for simple possession (94,000 others were charged with cultivation, distribution or conspiracy therein).
Even more so when there are outrageous claims made that ‘no goes to jail or prison for pot’.
Unfortunately for a Jackson Mississippi man named Ronald Sekul, he can attest to how wrong these false claims are as he stares down a lifetime sentence for cultivating 51 cannabis plants.
Man could get life in pot bust, Jackson resident was growing 51 plants, officials say
A 33-year-old Jackson man accused of growing marijuana in his apartment could get up to life in prison if convicted.
In the case of Ronald Christopher Sekul, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics intends to ask prosecutors to apply a law called the “kingpin” statute, MBN Director Marshall Fisher said.
The statute can be applied to Sekul’s case because he allegedly had a drug operation for longer than 12 consecutive months and had more than 10 pounds of marijuana, Fisher said.
Sekul was arrested Wednesday for allegedly growing 4-foot marijuana plants in the back bedroom of the fourplex he lives in at 1510 Myrtle St., according to MBN.
He is out of jail on $50,000 bond.
Read the entire article here.
Think about, life in prison for cultivating one of the most popular agricultural products in America–arguably the number one commercially cultivated commodity in the country. Think about the annual expense incurred by the taxpayers of Mississippi for the incarceration of Mr. Sekul: $22,000-30,000 a year; think about the total cost to the taxpayers if Mr. Sekul spends 10 years in prison (approx. $275,000), 20 years (approx. $600,000) or 30 years (approx. $1 million).
Rather than tax and actually control cannabis like more dangerous and addictive government-sanctioned drugs like tobacco and alcohol products, is it not remarkable beyond words that the state and federal governments still engages both massive number of annual cannabis-related arrests and the incarceration annually nationwide of an estimated 45,000-65,000 cannabis-only offenders, while still not achieving any of the stated goals of prohibition (view a comprehensive NORML report analyzing cannabis arrests in the US here, read page 45 to see where none of the government’s stated goals are achieved).
Feds Are The Ones Still Stirring Pot With Taxpayers’ Money
However, there is a potential policy silver-lining to buttress the expense to the taxpayers and tragedy of what our society is trying to do Mr. Sekul and that is that President Obama’s new drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, along with Attorney General Eric Holder, can stop these kinds of foolish and expensive incarcerations for cannabis by de-funding the federal grants provided to local law enforcement and their ‘multi-jursidictional anti-drug task forces’, like JET, the Jackson Enforcement Team, which boasts of Mr. Sekul’s arrest.
How many fewer Americans would be arrested annually if the federal government didn’t fund local arrests?
Exactly how many taxpayer dollars could be saved if the expense and trouble of local cannabis arrests were not subsidized by the feds?
This story makes me sick. People grow more than that legally in my state. Michigan. This mitten has a grip on it’s marijuana laws.
I’m all for cannabis reform, but 51 plants in a 4 plex is over the top. I can see having a few plants for your own use, but this guy is a dealer. a bad example, he should be going to jail.
Know your limit people, 51 plants is way over!!
[Editor’s note: The idea that you support the government putting a person in jail, for life, for 51 plants, is truly reprehensible. And you claim you support reform? Really? NO human should go to jail for cultivating cannabis, whether it is one plant or a thousand. Are grape, apple, barley, hops, potato farmers limited to 50 plants via a government policy? Of course not, and neither should cannabis cultivators in a free market-oriented democracy.
BTW, in some states with medical cannabis laws, a patient or their caregiver can grow collectively far more than 50 plants…and that does not make them ‘dealers’.]
This makes me sick to my stomach. We’re putting people away for life for a GODDAMN PLANT THAT HURTS NOBODY!!!
I’M SICK OF THIS SHIT!!!
I’m sick and fucking tired of prisons making millions off of the incarceration of other HUMAN BEINGS!! NON-VIOLENT HUMANS AT THAT! PEOPLE WITH LIVES!
I bet the Cartel`s in Mexico are cheering about this, Bust the Local Grower and support Imports and criminal gangs, That local Grower was cutting into Cartel Profits.
The Fed`s are addicted to the Cash confiscations and seizures generated by drug busts along with the bribes and “Profit Sharing” from Illegal traffic along our boarders, Not to mention the “Power Trip” most of these people are on, How many Boarder Agents have been busted already? There is still too much money to be gained by these agencies keeping things status-Quo, I agree, Cut all the Anti-Drug Funding, Especially for Cannabis and Free all the “Political Prisoners” of Cannabis Prohibition, Legalize and Remove the profit from the Black Market.
Ladies and gentle give your government a hand. BOY THEY SURE DID HANDLE THIS SITUATION WITH SOME COMMON SENSE. Remember now, we live in the land of the police state, not the land of the free. Don’t get those mixed up!!
/sarcasm
Life in prison for growing Marijuana is ridiculus.
i wonder what George Washington would do if masked gun toting government agents came to steal his crops?
LIFE in prison……for NOT hurting any one??? For pursueing happiness in the “privacy” of his own home??
I gotta say….I’m blushing…..CUZ I’M FRIGGIN’ EMBARASSED TO BE AN American right about now.
SICKENING.
First of all he didn’t get a life sentence and if he did the rest of the U.S. would be in an outrage over this kind of sentence so i doubt if he will . The one and only time i was down South and I’m from Cali i couldn’t get into a nightclub because i had blue jeans and a T shirt on . I’ll never go back there . This is one backward part of the USA .I know of a nightclub here that is the opposite as there . If you wear a suit and tie you can’t get into a lot of places here . It’s the opposite .
This is why our feds need to stop funding the attack on the american public. Regulate it and tax it.
I don’t understand how these people can go on TV and say “no one is arrested for marijuana possession.” I was just arrested and now am facing jail time and probation for a year (that means no cannabis for a year) for less than 1 gram! I feel like my rights are being violated and there really is nothing I can find to do about it.
We all really need to be pushing for Obama to spearhead some action on his own words when he said he wasn’t for legalization but he is for decriminalization(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQr9ezr8UeA ) Lets stop throwing money away just to have high level security baby-sitters watch grown men who are simply non-violent people who have a philosophical disagreement with the Controlled Substances Act and its Constitutionality. Obama just review the already existing Shafer Report.
It’s heartbreaking.
Just the other day the NY Times had an article about some city in Colorado where people can now legally smoke pot on their porches and in the streets. At the same time this guy in Mississippi is looking at prison time, possibly life, for growing the same plant. The crime is sentencing this guy to any time at all, and if he is, the people will not forget it.
this makes me sick to !!!…i dont get it alcohol kills thousands of people a year,but weed ? never heard of a death its got medical benefits,and its illegal. The government and the feds are full of shit ! putting this many people in jail and for a long time witch is costing us money to take of the inmates for doing not a damn thing wrong…we need the war on drugs to stop, especially with weed
cant whoever is being sent to jail for weed use the videos of government officials that say ” no one goes to prison for weed” for like testimonies or something?
I’m currently living in the south and I can tell you that the average person here is much more easily influenced by government propaganda. They tend to believe the bullshit coming out of Washington and especially if it comes from a Republican. Some even believe Obama is not a U.S. citizen. To say they are a decade or two behind would be kind. Mississippi may be the most ass backward of them all. I would really like to know the average I.Q. there. My guess is most of them don’t know what I.Q. stands for. As for their law enforcement ask anyone from the south and you will get the same answer about third world politics.
Hey NORML how about an article on what you expect in 2010 as far as legislation is concerned. A Federal change in the law is the South’s only hope and even then the dumb asses won’t go along.
My lifelong neighbor was caught with marijuana plants in his backyard by a hunter that was trespassing in his yard. All of his musical equipment was stolen by the police dept. He killed himself to avoid incarceration. My neighbor would still be alive if we would stop throwing innocent people in prison. The only thing my congressman has to say about the issue is that pot is not healthy for you, so therefore it should remain illegal. I wrote him back and asked him if smoking a joint or going to prison is more harmful to someones mental and physical health. He didnt respond.
What an unfortunate reality. Government wasting money we don’t have to try and stop plant cultivation! No wonder the economy can’t recover. Legalize it, tax it, and watch the economy start to recover. No more money down the toilet prosecuting and then housing people in prison for growing or possesing plants/ plant material.
Wow, these laws have to change!!!
Whatever happened to the punishment fitting the crime? I’d like to know if any demonstrations are being planned to protest this potentially gross injustice.
complete bullshit man! is this freedom? na man it aint. yo obama do something about this bullshit!!!!!!
legalize or die…
Indeed, C. Really. A country where nonviolent people are locked up for the rest of their lives for growing some of the world’s most prolific plant.
1942 HEMP FOR VICTORY
A USDA-Sponsored 20 min. flick urging American farmers to grow hemp ‘for the war!’
2009 locking up people for life in prison for the nonviolent crime of growing plants.
HOPS, BARLEY, WHEAT good
CANNABIS = LIFE IN PRISON
Just because Gil Kerlikowske and Eric Holder can, doesn’t mean they will. I haven’t seen any evidence in Mr. Kerlikowske’s previous endeavors that he is sympathetic to drug law reform. Why would he want to make appropriations for people who cultivate a “dangerous drug” that is waiting on evidence whether it has any medicinal benefits. His statements don’t leave me very optimistic.
C: Only if they are careagivers. Otherwise, you are limited to 12 plants, or so I thought. I am also in Michigan
this country is doomed and i believe we all deserve it because we don’t do anything to stop these bastards. The police, the fbi, the cia,the judges, D.A. s, the government . These people don’t care about us they only see the money they will make and what they get from being in powerful positions. What they don’t see is that they are all the ones who will pay. We are Americans. No matter how long it takes we will win you can’t scare us from doing whats right. ftp
How sad! If he was living in California, or one of the many other states which have enacted Medical Marijuana laws, he wouldn’t even be committing a crime!
Private prisons are BIG BUSINESS…especially in the south. The owners of the private prisons don’t care about taxpayer money, because that’s their paycheck.
Then you have strong lobbying by private prisons against the legalization of Marijuana, and they are no doubt in the pockets of certain politicians.
Not to mention the pharmaceutical companies. I’m not even going to get into that!
We, as Americans, need to raise a fuss about situations like this. He is facing life in prison for something that is completely legal in various other states. What type of sense does all this make?
The Federal Government needs to step in FURTHER and pass a Medical Marijuana law, because this type of stuff has been way out of hand for WAY too long!
hopefully this case sparks anger in people, we could use a good revolt
I just love to quote the writing’s of one of our Founding Father’s Thomas Jefferson, because I think if he were alive today,and there weren’t such importance placed upon re-election, alot of the problems we have having our voices heard,might not exist.Thomas Jefferson would say “The greatest honor of a man is in doing good to his fellow man, not destroying them.” This is exactly what our politicians are doing to us. Life,Liberty, & the pursuit of Happiness.
really? i didnt know MI had there shit together
do bad MN doesnt. this article is bogus and that graph makes me pissed. police should be doing such better things..
ALERT ALERT GOVERNMENT NOW WILL ONLY GIVE YOU 1 STRIKE FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION NO MORE TWO AND 3 STRIKES……NORML CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION ON THIS I JUST HEARD A CLIP FROM THE RADIO AND IT SCARRED THE HELL OUTTA ME………
So there is no difference between murder and plant growing in this state?
If I was the guy out on bail I would leave the country as there is no point in staying. If he is caught not like they can give him any additional time…
Head for the border and then fly out. Good luck.
This story also makes me sick. In fact, I would be ashamed to be the judge to give such a sentence. There are MUCH worse (and more violent) crimes being committed such as armed burglary, rape, arson, just to name a few. And I bet you these other criminals that are in jail will be up for parole in order to make room for these marijuana plant growers that probably have never committed a serious offense in their life. And what kind of message are we sending our children if we’re sentencing someone to jail for LIFE for a PLANT that has NO HISTORY of toxic deaths. But we allow booze that kills 100’000+ EACH YEAR. It’s a crazy world we live in, and I hope one day we look back on this and know that this was a mistake we made. This issue can be related to the discrimination of other lifestyle choice profiling (homosexuals, racial profiling, etc.) One day we’ll all be able to “come out of the closet” and show our true colors, because what the government is doing is wrong and hurtful for something that actually is a source of peace. Something we all need these days!
People who MURDER other people don’t get life in prison! I figure we might as well throw him in the lake and see if he floats like a witch. Punishment of any kind is going too far, and condemning this man to life in prison is practically at the moon. One day we will give up our cave man ways and step into a world governed by reason, civility, and logic.
this was an amazing article! very well written, it touches on a lot of good points and really great facts. love it. thanks
legalize it!
I live in Harrison County which is one county west of Jackson County. I’ve often thought about growing a little for personal use since the quality found down here is sub-par for the most part, but the legal atmosphere down here is still very hostile toward cannabis. They still use those infrared helicopters (F.L.I.R. I think they are called). I was arrested once a few years back for possessing 1 joint and I tried to have a conversation with the cop about it on the way to the police station and all he would say is that people like me kill cops. I was baffled by that. Mississippi is far behind on drug laws.
This is very sad. Sucks for that guy. What a waste. Hijack a plane get 25 years. Grow 50 plants… 50 PLANTS and you get life?!?! WTF… Something is wrong here.
Theserf, I agree with you. If I was this guy I’d say bye bye to America… 12 hour drive to freedom he can get to the Tx border, cross into Mexico with no problem. If he has trouble landing a job, he can grow some weed there and sell it to the cartels for exportation. At least, that’s what I would do if I was facing life in prison for growing plants.
There is no “Green team” in Mexico searching for grow houses, and UNLIKE here, the AVERAGE Mexican doesn’t even know what weed smells in the first place so I doubt the local municipalities would even bother to look into that sort of thing.
we have to fight them, we have the numbers, we will all die if we fight in accordance with the second amendment . so instead I propose an Organization as well put together as NORML start a nationwide boycott, find the lobbiest,there companies, and boycott all of them!, the Paid-off Judges surely have their own businesses to boycott too, maybe even Boycott the IRS since there is NO LAW in the books saying we NEED to pay them. I and many others already Boycott most of these companies that lobby prohibition, and if we ALL do it their Companies will fail, making room for more sane people to step in and create jobs. They will Not get THEIR ECONOMY BACK!!! We will get OUR ECONOMY back and our freedoms. When they see their profits go down and need to take personal cuts, they will reconsider their positions on this issue. If they dont then we need to remove them completely from the POWERS that BE. Viva le Revolution!!! please consider this everyone!
Wow…..after reading all these posts i really can’t believe what’s happening in the rest of the USA .My God , it sounds really terrible back there . Watching people get arrested in TV show ” Cops ” for cannabis blows my mind that this even still happens . We don’t have any of these problems in California . In fact , in Santa Cruz it is illegal to smoke tobacco in City Parks but , legal to smoke cannabis . I could walk into a Court house filled with Police with a joint stuck in above my ear and maybe ( just maybe ) someone might tell me to put it in my pocket but , i doubt it . It truly is a different World back there from what i heard in these posts .There’s a BIG HUGE billboard not far from here thay advertises medical prescriptions for Marijuana . At first i thought somebody was going to make the Pot Doc. take it down but , after a year it’s still there without a mark on it .
That doesn’t mean everyone should go to , Santa Cruz to smoke . It was allowded for special events when i lived there and things might have changed since then . Anyways , it still isn’t polite to be smoking any substance in the Public in my opinion . I dislike smoke , period . Just do it because of medical reasons that’s all & i am always courteous & polite and never use or smoke cannabis in public .
Prison is not the solution for drugs cases
#2
I am in the medical cannabis program in New Mexico, I am able to grow 4 mature plants and 12 seedlings the yield is more then enough for the medical needs of one person. Now having 10 pounds and 51 plants is way over the top. You could medicate like 26 people for 3 months with the 10 pounds by New Mexico standards. Each 4-foot plant should yield like 5 oz each that’s over 14 pounds more, or enough cannabis for 37 more people.
How can this guy be anything but a dealer?
I do not think that he should get life in jail, but he should go to jail at least some time.
We are not going to make a change by getting behind a dealer; we should fight for personal use, not sales.
Here in New Mexico there is a medical supplier that can grow 95 plants, they then turn around and sell it to us in the medical program. Yes, that does make them dealers, but they do it under state law, so it’s ok. This guy broke his state law, so it’s not ok.
I’ve wanted to grow cannabis for years, but I did not do it until my state gave me a license and told me I could, he should have done the same.
I have shown up to town hall meetings put every elected member up to the questing of cannabis reform. I have letters and emails form all my elected officials in Washington in response to letters emails that I send and phone calls that I make on a weekly basis. So yes I am for cannabis reform.
I agree with #32, To hell with the bail, skip out of the US. Come back when its legal and they cant touch ya.
If prohibition was ended , this guy wouldnt have been growing all that. Wouldnt have been any reason to. The way the economy is,Money is money. Take the profit out of it.
Tell’n ya people, if we dont stop these freaking elitists, if we dont remove corruption from our government, they are going to drive this nation into the ground. Look around,they are doing it now.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826)
The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826), Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781-82
I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826)
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826), Notes on Virginia
A little rebellion now and then…is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826), Letter to James Madison, 1787
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826)
http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Thomas_Jefferson
Hrm, it says he was in doing this for more than 12 months. So that means they had an open investigation for a year or more on him. Meaning they let him do it until such time they could net more than just him more than likely.
In other cases, the sentences have been reduced when the sitting judges pointedly have remarked that letting someone commit a crime repeatedly is not good police work for the protection of the public.
I cant find enough details to know if that is accurate in this case on the 12 months, but I bet they spent more than a month or so committing the crimes they are charging him with.
Since he was dealing, I dont see the report on the number of side arrests they made to support this. Normally they would have at least a dozen plea-bargain candidate arrests to help back up the case and brag about the “pot dealing ring sting” they performed, not just a single person.
The community there must feel safer knowing they blew all their resources on a pot dealer instead of the thousands of meth labs that area has. Based on the maps the DEA and everyone keeps trying to scare the hell out of people with, I would think they would be more focused on the Cartel presence there. *shrug*
Like many others I am still trying to figure out why really small towns need a SWAT team, drug raiding forces, automatic weapons, tanks, etc. Those funds surely could be put to better uses than to give people with borderline personality disorders dangerous toys to ruin people’s lives with.
Words can not describe my disappointment in our leadership. Why has such an obvious lapse in judgment been enforced and tolerated for so long?
Relax. It says he can get UP TO life in prison, not that he WILL.
People aren’t always charged with the max penalty.
But yes, it’s still outrageous that someone even CAN get life for growing a (relatively safe) plant.
This is absolutely rediculous!It is tyranny!The same wonderboy that is given America hope and change,won’t do the right thing!The son of a bitch can’t even come to a decision on our troops being murdered one by one,your friends and family and mine too.Soooo,what kind of chance does this non-violent,god awful,dope sling’n kingpin have.None…unless everyone everywhere heres about this.And then everybody at once tells the Government that WE DEMAND A CHANGE,WE DEMAND THIS STOPS AND NOW.We could rally around this man,and all those like him and do the right thing.You have to ask yourself a few questions,1. Do I believe that what this man was doing was really that bad?Do I believe that maybe it should be Legal,regulated,and legal to conduct commerce with?Is it possible to do good deeds with such an evil weed?Maybe what they should of arrested him for was stealing Obamas thunder,hell this man is a pioneer in GREEN JOBS,and stimulateing his own personal economy!I could go on,but I won’t.30+ years of watching this same crap,over and over again.I guess what really amazes me is that what will go on this year,is what went on last year and will go on next year and was going on 30+ years ago and the stupid bastards in washington miss the boat.Just how mant fricken trillions of dollars have these idiots missed out on?And ruined lives and all the collateral damage they inflicted,talk about major f**k ups!Hell there comes a time when we must stand up,there is no reason we couldn’t turn this country around given the chance(my guess is you’d start seeing it in 36-48 months)if they’d just get the hell out of the way!There is absolutely nothing that we couldn’t do,We could create the revenue to chisel away at the debt,give every person in this country healthcare,refund social security and medicare,feed every American,fuel our country….YOU KNOW THIS AS WELL AS I DO.
My generation has been smoking weed for a good 20 years or so. I lived in CA for 26 years, pot isn’t a huge no no, and it really isn’t that big of a deal. Unfortunatley the reasons( which are many) it isn’t being legalized is because there are too many corrupt politicians on “the payroll”. The money that they confiscate from the drug cartel is astounding and why would “they give that up??? It makes them “look” like the hero..hahha. The real issue here is they are oppressing the freedoms we are suppose to have as Americans. Take a vote in each state… not by the law makers but by the people…. bet ya it would be legalized, in probably all states. The informed and reponsible pot smoking Americans are “coming of age”
It won’t be long…this will eventually become decriminalized.
No other comments other than I believe what I believe.
That is depressing.
they let murderers and rapist and child molesters out for less, and now life in prison for growing a plant. Get the fuck out you twisted fucks who run or make the laws in government. Its just a plant you god damn retards. Get it thru your thick heads. And while your at it why don’t you drink a quart of whisky, smoke 2 packs of cigs a day, and beat your wife while you are at it, all those things are acceptable by our twisted and backward society.
We all need to realize why possession comes with such large penalties. Felons can’t Vote. What better way to enforce control over a corrupt, profitable, lying government than to remove the biggest threat to their way of life. THE VOTERS!
he picked the wrong state to live in. they are so ass-backwards : “For sale of more than 10 pounds, the penalty is life in prison without the possibility of parole.”
In an apartment, damn Mister. He should have known how the Mississippi law are. I live in Alabama. I know how they are around here. For that many plants he should have given up the grow lights and found some woods. Mississippi is mostly woods. I just hate it but my God you have to use your brain. The law around here had rather bust pot growers that anything else. If they could get by with a public hanging or the electric chair they would. Yes, it is that bad in the south.
This is bull shit. Norml needs to take the fight to mississippi. making MS a green state would send a huge message to congress.
That’s nuts. 51 plants. Thats probly why he got busted. Be smart till emergence day. Write your leader. Start a ruckus. Fly a kite.
Support your seller. Without them, and their balls(51 plants), we may not be here to bitch…
What Makes me Sick is people who do Real Crimes Like the Nasa Astronaught who Stalked Ms. Shipman, and also sprayed Pepper Spray in her Face, Her Name Ms. Nowak and all she got was a 1 year probation and 50 hours community service. What is Wrong with this Country? God Put this Precious Plant on this earth for a Reason, Not for a Season.. Medical Purposes, Depression, it helps prevent cancer in the head and neck… what is this Countries Problem? I believe it should be LEGAL for all..
This makes me sick. What a racist state. http://www.dps.state.ms.us/dps/dps.nsf/webwanted?OpenForm&Div=bn
Cannabis is not the only issue my friends we need to take back our freedoms that have been steadily eroding for the LAST 40 years!! Who cares who’s to blame we must recall and revise our previous strategy.
This doesn’t surprise me. Welcome to the state I call home. I spent 3 days in jail about 10 years ago for less than 3 grams. As for the I.Q. statement from Jed, thats just as dumb as me saying everyone in California has a low I.Q from smoking too much. We may be backwards in many ways,mainly due to corruption in politics from local level to the state level, but many of us are just as well educated as anyone from the other 49 states. I’m trying to find 4 other people who are not too scared to openly support NORML so we can establish the first chapter here. My senator who happens to be my landlord for my business has told me he supports legalization but it would be political suicide in Ms. to even suggest legalization in public. Around here the southern baptists, better known as talibaptists, will never allow legalization to happen; they still preach about no dancing or drinking. Maybe you better understand the situation in Ms. now.
@Marc Anthony #2: Listen well you sorry sack of shit. Your entire comment screams of idiocy. You dont EVER come to this site and spout your moronic comments ever again. To ever want any man to get jail for a fucking plant is STUPID. YOU are STUPID. And life? Oh no brother I hope YOU get life in prison because people as idiotic as you should be outlawed. And finally assfuck if you have ever smoked weed since its not legal you got it from a dealer. Im a dealer (weed only) also a father of three and a dam nice guy. So go ahead and choke on that next chicken bone and DIE prohibitionist SCUM.
@Marc Anthony #44— See your just not gettin it dickhead. ‘Duhhh he shouldnt get life but some jail time’ FUUUUCK YOU. Retard its not about medicating ITS ABOUT FREEDOM YOU FUCKIN DUM SHIT. Your actually gona come here to NORML and say some guy deserves JAIL for growing plants? Get the fuck out you dam judas
my ol ladys son is doing 15 years for possesing less than a quarter pound of pot he got busted when he was 17 since then he tried to hang himself in prison is this how mo court system works incarcerate the poor in an already failing economy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# 64
Most people don’t want to make drug dealing legal, however they do want to make personal use legal. We will not win this fight if we get behind gun bearing drug dealers.
What are going to say next? That you feel bad for those poor drug cartels in Mexico? Do you really think we can win a fight this stance? Well I don’t.
There are many states where you can grow under the law, if you to grow, simply go to a state where it is legal and they will not arrest you.
I support changing the law, not reckless breaking of it.
To all you dealer out there, if you ant working under state law then you are breaking the law and will likely go to jail one day. There’s only one thing you can do, now that your making the big money you should donate to Norml or MPP and help change the law in your state. The more money they get, the faster we will see change.
If the cannabis prohibition laws worked as intended the plant could well be extinct by now. People who have grown it in the face of risking prosecution have contributed to the maintenance of the existence of this valuable plant and the variability of genetics so important to the health and adaptability of any species.
Those who take the position that “well, I get mine, but I do it legally”: you would not be getting “yours” if it were not for the courage of those souls who have been care takers of this plant. Don’t be so sure that we would even have anything to discuss at this point if not for the outlawed cultivation of cannabis.
The DEA and all state narcotics agencies are domestic terrorists.
No one should ever spend life in prison no matter how many of these harmless plants they grow. It’s funny how the government is letting the sex offenders out of prison to make room for non-violent offenders. If the government did their jobs and keep those violent-prone people in jail we wouldn’t be hearing about that guy from Ohio who had 11 bodies buried in his yard, or that guy who imprisoned a girl for nearly 20 years as his sex-slave. What does that tell you? Just remember, during Jesus trail the people would rather let a murder go free and crucified a harmless man.
Commenter,’Mark Anthony’, is a prime example of an authoritarian. He likes giving and taking orders,no matter how trivial. He’s got his,so screw everybody else. Most smokers buy from a so-called “dealer”.Does this mean that we should lock up all sellers of pot for life? The prisons are already overfilled.By the way, this charge will never stick, he’ll take a plea to a lesser charge, as usual.
@64: General-Jake, I understand you’re frustration, but saying you’re a nice guy then wishing someone death on a chicken bone is a bit contradicting. We will get no where with remarks like that, the only way to change the laws is to show intelligence, wheter or not it is being shown on the side of the “law” The people are mad, and they should be. We are now at a point where “we the people” are smarter than the politicians in charge. We must show an organized and professional approach to say we will NOT have our pursuit of freedom and happieness be put in jeopordy over a plant.
Spread the TRUTH of Marijuana facts, teach everyone you know, and before long people will get it. Lies on this magnitutde can not be susstained while there are still intelligent people in the world, let them know we are here!
Check out alabamamjparty.tripod.com alabama.usmjparty.com
Sponsored by http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2812.html
TEEN GETS 26 YEARS FOR SCHOOL DRUG SALE
MOULTON – A Lawrence County High School student pleaded guilty Monday to selling drugs at school and received sentences totaling 26 years in prison.
Webster Alexander, 19, of 2161 Lawrence County 180, Moulton, received the jail time for six drug charges, including four for distributing controlled substances at the school.
Lawrence County District Attorney Jim Osborn said the sentences were stiff, but justified.
“Distribution of a controlled substance is a serious offense any time, but it is especially serious when it’s on school property,” he said.
The other two charges were for first-degree possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Lawrence County Circuit Judge Philip Reich sentenced Alexander to 13 years on each distribution charge. He gave him three years for the act of selling on campus, five years for selling drugs within three miles of a school and five years for selling within three miles of a housing project.
Reich ordered Alexander to serve two of the distribution sentences consecutively. He will serve the other two at the same time he serves the first two. Reich also sentenced Alexander to five years on the marijuana charge and six months on the paraphernalia charge.
Alexander applied for probation and is free on bond pending a probation hearing.
Authorities arrested Alexander at his home April 9, 2002, after an undercover agent with the Lawrence County Drug Task Force identified him as one of the students selling drugs at school. The agent posed as a student for six weeks and made several drug buys.
An hour after authorities arrested Alexander, they arrested Cordine Bush, 19, in the school’s cafeteria and charged him with two counts of selling to the undercover officer.
Authorities made a simultaneous raid at the home of Rodney Hicks, 18, of 1460 Lawrence County 180, and charged him with one count of sale to the undercover officer, first-degree possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Bush’s case is pending. The next plea docket is in March. Hicks received youthful offender status.
NO JUSTICE
The Dec. 23 Times editorial titled “Where is the justice?” said that Alabama has seen life sentences imposed routinely, as in the case of a local man who received a life sentence for marijuana possession.
Dec. 17, 2002, Judge Battle sentenced me, Timothy Coffman, to 15 years for possession of 1 gram of marijuana, to wit: one cigarette. My appointed attorney repeatedly told me if I didn’t plead guilty I’d have a jury trial and if I lost at trial I could receive up to life in prison.
I, David White, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Sept. 18, 1992 for possession of cocaine, less than $5 worth. I served seven years in prison, paroled out and worked four years with no problems – until I failed to report to my parole officer one time. This cost me my parole.
The Times also states that John Raley, the state conservation officer, received probation for manslaughter.
Not long ago a Madison County judge sentenced Jerry Grisham to 10 years, split two years time served and freed him on a manslaughter charge that was Grisham’s second murder conviction. The first murder conviction was in Tennessee.
Thousands of Alabamians have been given unduly harsh prison sentences for nonviolent drug and property crimes. Yet the murderers in these two cases were given probation and set free.
Makes us wholeheartedly agree with The Times when it asked “Where is the justice?”
Timothy M. Coffman and David White, Annex 1, Madison County Jail, Huntsville
Hey Mark Anthony #2/#44…”I am in the medical cannabis program in New Mexico, I am able to grow 4 mature plants and 12 seedlings the yield is more then enough for the medical needs of one person”. How about you changing that “needs of one person” to “needs of myself/me personally” I PERSONALLY need more than 4 plants as I make pre THC oil/butter from leaf to eat; I use a tumbler to extract resin glands from post harvest leaf making kief; I then take the kiefed leaf and run it through an ice washer(removes remaining resin glands) to make what is called bubble hash as I find concentrates more effective for my medical needs. Four plants (2-4oz/plant every 2 months…6 harvests/year) for me would probably take care of my recreational needs or my medical needs if I am simply treating anxiety. And as far as sending this guy to jail, never in my wildest dreams would I ever suggest incarceration for ANYTHING Cannabis…1 gram/1 ton, no matter, as the cause of this whole criminality issue of the Cannabis plant is based on lies and fraud, so what really gives these people…or you, for that matter… the right to prohibit/and punish people for using this plant? How about seeing this person as providing a service…could you possibly relate to that…you know like providing a quality product and not going through the violent criminal drug cartel. BTW…have you ever been to jail…incarcerated for anything ? Maybe you should do some research on what’s going on with the private prison legal slave business going on in Amerika today, before you suggest jail time for others.
Life??? For 51 cannabis plants, rapists, perverts don’t even get life. This goes to show you, were our goverments heads are.
If you check the laws of southern states, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, Mississippi has the most liberal laws concerning marijuana.
Sadly, many people who support prohibition are of the mindset that if you “keep your nose clean” nothing will happen to you. They aren’t even interested if its RIGHT to put someone in jail for a plant. Typical ostrich head in sand thinking. If it doesn’t affect ME personally, it’s not worth even thinking about or questioning the laws is the attitude. I think the only argument people will ultimately listen to is an economic one. I guess things will have to get worse before people even think of coming to their senses, and by that time, it may be too late.
Wow, another waste of taxpayers money and this man’s life. It’s high time to legalize marijuana and drugs for that matter across the board and end this shit. It’s too bad we smokers have access to all of these horrid crimes of humanity stories and we all agree cannabis should be legal, but we just sit on our asses and let these things happen, myself included. Maybe one day.
General Jake…………..be careful what you say about dealing . This is America & this site is undoubtably being monitored . They are watching everything we do . Are we the land of the free ? Tee Hee He Ho Ha Ha .
If this Government doesn’t like you they will ” take you out ” of the system . They can find anything or will even frame you for nothing if they don’t like you to rid you from society .
Look at , Marc Emery . Hundreds selling seeds & they never get arrested but ,” speak out ” on what you believe and your history . They will throw you in jail .
General-Jake there are a few Marc Anthony’s out there who despite available data showing cannabis is safe and possibly even life saving refuse to listen and would rather disrupt our forums hoping it will prohibit our flow of ideas.
@Marc Anthony = brain dead
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we …had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going directly the other way.
In short it was a time so far like the present that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received in the superlative degree of comparison only.”
We’re not taking this BS anymore! Come out of the closet with me one and all. Let’s do THIS THING!… Read More
Anyone know how to begin a credit union? First thing to do is deny them our money.
When will the feds realize they can make more money if they legalize it? Even if some people grow their own, they’ll still come out on top.
I know you guys are mad about the dumb cannabis laws we have in place, but you just look stupid when you try to make me look like a prohibitionist. I have done more then most of you to support cannabis reform. If you think you have done more then show me the proof of just how much cold hard cash you have given to make a change.
Many times we see prohibitionist use dumb one-sided arguments to make their point. Well when you loose your cool and start cursing you look just like of them.” The Prohibitionist” # 64&65
Now lets do the math.
10 pounds + 51 plants = about 25 pounds
25 pounds = 400oz
400 Oz = 11,200 grams
Now most dealers sell there product by the gram, and it’s like $20 per gram
(11,200 grams) X ($20 per gram) = $224,000 per harvest
Most indoor growers can harvest 4 times per year. That’s an $896,000 sales cash flow per year.
Now he broke more laws then just growing cannabis when he made that $896,000 per year.
Do you really think he reported that income on his taxes?….I don’t think so.
Do you think he paid any taxes to the feds or the state for his sales?……none
Did he use proper zoning for his growing location?….. no he did not?
Did he make sure that none of his product went to any kids?……Most dealers don’t care who uses there product since there breaking the law anyway.
Did he have guns only for his self-defense? ….Most dealers will shoot and kill you if you mess with there product or there costumers.
While you guys are out breaking the law I will be in a meeting with law makers trying to make a change, but I just cant use this guy in the fight for reform. Law makers will not feel sorry for him, he broke too many laws more then just growing cannabis. Law makers will only act on sound advice and good moral issues.
Prohibitionists don’t look deep enough into the problems and look stupid when they don’t have an open mind. Some of you are looking and sounding just like them. You cant just be one sided, you must keep an open mind if we are going to make new laws.
#74
I was in Clarksville Indiana a few years back and got pulled over. The cops found two seeds in the cars ashtray. They arrested everyone in the car, 6 of us on those two seeds I did 85 days in jail. Over Two SEEDS!!!! So I know first hand what it is like to get raped over dumb cannabis laws. After that I started working to change the laws here in New Mexico and 4 years later we got medical cannabis.
I have also faced life I jail, but I fought the law and I won! This guy will do the same there no way he will get life, but he will do some jail time.
[Editor’s note: If your claim that you’re meeting with legislators and lobbying for legalization is true…blog readers and NORML’s staff should be ill-at-ease as your support for placing other human beings in cages for the ‘crime’ of selling cannabis disqualifies you to represent cannabis consumers.
“I just cant use this guy in the fight for reform”
Really, cannabis law reform and consumers do not need your help if you have such disparaging and troubling views about your fellow citizens who supply cannabis to wanton consumers, and can justify their imprisonment as a consequence of prohibition.
BTW, there are many state and federal prisoners who are serving life sentences on cannabis-only related offenses, including three at Alabama’s Talladega Federal Prison.]
#67- mark anthony- Tho i feel your marijuanas ideals are questionable i agree with the idea of donating more to guys like norml. Tho i dont do it often like other dealers just when moneys tight.
@72 Casey. Wise words my brother. I grow extremly intolerant and hostile towards people who feel others should be locked away and freedom and possession denied for ganja use. However as im prone to do in life i lossed control..for that i apologize. My anger is just a reason and not an excuse.
Okay, I’m ready for this bad policy to end. Anyone with me?
GENESIST STATEMENT
I am a Genesist. “I believe in my creator, and my creator’s gift of Manna as Holy Sacrament.” I believe in the “free exercise thereof,” as testiment to my creator.
Manford Mantis
“If the government fears its people; their is liberty. If the people fear its government; their is tyranny.” If everyone knew the truth then it would certainly be a topic that most reasonable thinking people would get heated over. Even more so than now. It would cause a chain reaction. “What else has been kept from us?” Just one question of many. That goes for other situations as well. Also knowing they can get a select group, sheeple, to believe every single word that comes from their lips. That’s why they call it politics and use it as an excuse. “Oh, that’s politics.” Really? Then “politics” must mean that they decide to do things that may not positively effect the people or country but a few major holders of a specific ideology that benefits no one but them and the company that they reside with. Besides they don’t think that anyone that’s not in the group could actually understand “politics” and why they do the things they do. Its all about control. Everything is a game to them. Seems like their the ones that are doing all the choosing and we’re along for the ride. Buckle up or don’t get in the vehicle cause their drinking @ the wheel.
“If it doesn’t affect ME personally,”
#77, you are absolutely right. Its too bad people have to have things affect them before they see the light. I would be one of those people. I could have cared less about cannabis laws a few years ago, till it affected me in a round about way. Same thing happened to me with politics. Hated politics til the econmoy crash,now I pay very close attention to our “leaders” actions.
Its ok though,I have learned alot in last 5 years. I also do my best to get people to Think differently on both those fronts. I also pay closer attention to other subjects that I just didnt think would ever ‘matter’ to me.
Wake up people! We all live in the same world. If it can hapen to me or yur neighbor, It can happen to you too.
IN DEFENSE OF DEALERS
First of all life in prison for any marijuana offense is obscene!
Now…for all you out there talking about dealers as if they were Al Capone forcing joints down schoolkids throats…get real!Especially those of you who actually use marijuana.
I have used marijuana for over 30 years and have never known anyone selling marijuana who was not a working person,average Joe who was not just trying to make a few extra bucks or just selling enough to his friends to get his for free.And people who sell marijuana are not forcing it on anyone,they are doing people a favor by taking the risk to provide people with something they want to buy!
I was caught in Indiana for growing 51 plants back in 2007, and I got 4 months house arrest, and 18 months probation. I was charged with a D felony for maintaining a common neus. I feel srry for the way they are charging this guy with a life in prison. The government just dont want the people to know they have been lieing to us all these years. The lumber companies are the reason it was made illegal, because they used to make paper products from hemp and it caused conflict. The government allows tobacco and alcohol to be legal, and look how many ppl die every year! Its ok for the government to let ppl go home after work and get drunk, or go to a bar! So tell me, why isnt it ok for someone to be able to smoke marijuana in their own home or a Cannabis Cafe? Nobody has EVER died from the use of marijuana, and it is 10 times safer than alcohol in all aspects! This world we live in makes me sick!! Obama smoked it, why cant we? He was’nt even born a U.S citizen, When Obama went to Pakistan in 1981 he was traveling either with a
British passport or an Indonesian passport.If he were traveling with a British passport that would provide proof he was born in Kenya on August 4, 1961, not in Hawaii as he claims. And if he were traveling with an Indonesian passport that would tend to prove he relinquished whatever previous citizenship he held, British or American, prior to being adopted by his Indonesian step-father in 1967.
Whatever the truth of the matter, the American people need to know how he managed to become a “natural born” American citizen between 1981 and 2008. Our President is not a natural born Citizen and in “Violation of the Constitution” My Constitutional rights were violated when they came into my house without probable causes, and I went to jail and now my life is ruened!
Georgia’s answer to the economy and lack of taxes dollars includes:
Allow alcohol sales until 4am in attempt to raise money on late night sales, proposed by aam Atlant city councilman
And a local suburb wants to spend $305,000 for the purchase of a SWAT vehicle.
The other day i read, that it cost $100,000 a year for a police officer. This includes pay, equipment, insurance, training, etc… and $100,000 to intially train the officer.
Legalize and cut 50% of the officers, what savings.
http://cherokeetribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Board+considering+buying+SWAT+vehicle%20&id=4485699-Board+considering+buying+SWAT+vehicle&instance=home_news_bullets
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/last-call-at-4-200385.html
It could have been a million plants. He could have sold a million pounds. who cares how much he sold or how much money he makes. NOBODY but the courts and prisons that profit.
I AGREE HE SHOULD HAVE been more careful. It should be legal but it isn’t yet. If you play the game you are going to take a loss. Lets get it legalized so we don’t have to argue about this poor mans life.
Too bad he didn’t rape and kill a young child instead of gardening; he would be out in just a few short years. The day of reconing for prohibitionists is coming. Their vile, evil, destructive war of choice has gone on far too long. Please tell me who this man hurt, where is the victim?
I wonder how much you get paid by the hour to post misleading crap on this website by either:
1. Law Enforcement
2. Tobacco Company
3. Alcohol Company
4. Pharmacy Company
1,2,3,4 or all 4? Which is it?
Quotes from Jed’s comment:
“I’m currently living in the south and I can tell you that the average person here is much more easily influenced by government propaganda. They tend to believe the bullshit coming out of Washington and especially if it comes from a Republican.”
“To say they are a decade or two behind would be kind.”
“As for their law enforcement ask anyone from the south and you will get the same answer about third world politics.”
Jed,
I live in the south, right next to Mississippi, and I agree with EVERYTHING you said! There are so many uneducated people in the south, it’s sickening! This needs to be changed, as I agree with you that the only way we’re going to get Medical Marijuana down here is if the Feds step in.
Seriously, I’ve lived in the south all my life; I by no means consider myself Einstein, but we have some retarded people living down here. I mean LIGHT YEARS behind in education. :\
Well said General Jake, well said
He should of shot dem fuckers when they broke down his door !
To Allen St. Pierre Ext. Directer!
Dear Mr. St. Pierre, I needed for you to give me a call ASAP, In ref. to a letter I had sent to the DEA.
I wrote to them that they need to let Medical Doctors strat to wright Rx. to ture Pt.that have Medical needs for medical Cannibis for there sickness. I myself I have suffer from MS since 1991, which I had to leave the Medical field for 20 years, For 2 weeks I used medical Cannbis for the side effects of my MS, it was the best I have felt for about 10 to 15 years. The point I made to The DEA was that a Medical Doctor had to go to Medical for about 8 to 10 years. how long did the DEA go in there Academy. My #870-932-2171 870-253-1912. We need help in Arkansas, I will help in any way I can. Thank You for your time. Need Help in Arkansas!!!
Why I find it hard to use this guy to support reform,
First of all let me say that his case can be used to support cannabis reform, it can show voters just how messed up the law is. Then the voters can talk to lawmakers. If people feel for this guy then they might act. Now there in lays the problem, the voters must act, however most do not. That is step one people.
Now if you care enough to act you will find that most lawmakers are open to your concerns, and will take the time to reply to you by mail or email. If you meet them face-to-face they will tell you what side they are on. Now there are many of them on our side but there are a lot that are not. The work starts with them, the lawmakers that won’t support reform at this time.
They want to be seen as hard on drugs and dealers. If they look soft, then there opponents will use that against them in the next election. Now there constituents are the type that will vote for the other guy in fear that they will look soft of drugs and then there kids will turn to drugs……. I know what you’re thinking they must be crazy.
Well as sad as it sounds we need there vote so we have to work with them to get it. Now even though they cant sell the idea of being soft on drug dealers to there church going constituents, they can pass of the idea of adult personal use in ones own home, or keeping our kids safe by regulating and taxing.
Now if I show up there office spend my short 5 min telling them all about this guy facing live for growing 51 plants, they don’t even want to hear it. They will act like it is some sort of good thing. Now if it was 4 plants, even if they where 20 feet tall, that could be seen as personal use supply, so they might think about supporting the poor guy.
We need their votes and they won’t be seen as soft on drug dealers, so how do we get there YES vote?
The only way that I can see is by drafting a bill that won’t make them look soft on drugs. One that makes them look strong on protecting kids and giving freedom to adults.
So I choose to approach them with stories of easy kid access by unregulated street dealers and the idea of the government telling us what to do in our own home and some of them are starting to listen. But if I went in there telling them that no human should to jail for a plant and we should leave all drug dealers alone, and well where at it, we should let all the past dealers out of jail, they would not listen.
Now just for the record, I have stated that this guy should get some jail time. I think he should get 11 months and 29 days in the county jail, and no more.
[Editor’s note: You’d only cage your fellow human for growing cannabis for 11 months and 29 days?!
How charitable of you!
Are you just a dumb contrarian or an awkward provocateur?
This man should not burden taxpayers one red penny for the ‘crime’ of cultivating cannabis. Your support for a totally failed government policy of incarcerating cannabis cultivators, wasting taxpayers’ money and squandering criminal justice resources is reprehensible and truly bizarre in a supposedly free market-oriented democracy.]
Mark Anthony:
I wont beat you up any more for your comment.I think the editor and the rest of us here have done a fine job of that.I do have one question though. WHERE are you buying your cannabis man? I would never in my day paid 20$ per GRAM, Thats One freaking joint for cryin out loud. Can anyone here attest to this,have any of you paid that for one joint or bowl?
Your comments seem fishy to me. I ask the same question. WHo do you work for? DEA,local police,big pharms or other lobbists?
In any case , your math sucks.
All more to show this society that you should not be paying money for marijuana and instead it should be given out like food stamps LMAO…If this guy thought he was MR.GROW IT ALL move to california man why risk it you know how the DEA operates once you mess with the governments money they mess with you!
I blame this all on the people…It would take a simple petition and letting your voice be heard. The voice is an instrument, use it well enough and you will actually be listened to!
Pressurekook:I totaly agree man.
Darrel thanks man
To the editor;
Let me break it down to you. When you get arrested they only charge you with the biggest charges, in an effort to cut down on paper work. I.E. If you rob a gas station and shoot the clerk they will only charge you with murder and not with robbery.
Now this guy is only facing cannabis charges because they are the biggest ones. If growing cannabis was legal in his state, they would have still arrested him, only this it would have been for tax evasion and all you guys at norml would not care less that he is going to jail.
We can’t just push for every single person that has anything to do with cannabis, to be let go. Only the ones that are Truly facing cannabis only charges.
Now I know what you the EDITOR are going to say “ there’s lots of people in jail for cannabis charges. Maybe so, but if you cant admit that they where likely facing other chargers, then your as one sided as the prohibitionist.
We ask for a open debate about cannabis reform, however most of you on this page are afraid to have it. Bad mouthing me is not a debate.
Now try to understand, I am the only one in my state going to meet with lawmakers, in the name of cannabis reform, that I know of. All you guys do is blog to each other. If you where out there talking to lawmakers like I am, you would see that you cant just go in there demanding to set all cannabis related offenders free. That would be the the same as demanding that law makers open up AREA 51 to the public or that we demand that they work for free. If you I in there spouting all that stuff you will just look crazy and they will likely forget everything that you said once you walk out.
Now I was trying to show you honestly why I cant use this guy, but all you want to do is make me look bad for saying he should get less then a year in jail. Well maybe you can see it this way. if you are selling anything, no matter if it’s cannabis, grapes, apples, barley, hops, potatoes or widgets you must make a honest effort to follow the law pay some type taxes. Now if the law find you’ve been running this business and have a cash flow of almost 1 million per year, your god damm right your going to jail and for well more then a year. This is the major fact and point that the law makers will point out to me when I meet with them, and the grounds for there NO vote.
# 100
Well I am a math major at UNM, but it look like your asking about the $20 per gram figure. So, the first question you have to ask yourself is what kind of cannabis did this guy make. In most cities there are two types of cannabis for sale a compact Mexican brand that is low in THC value and a high grade Chronic brand the in high in THC value. Now the piece in Albuquerque is $2-$4 per gram for compact Mexican bud and $15 to $25 per gram for the high grade.
Now I have never seen a indoor grower that makes compact bud, only high grade.
So the $20 per gram is the mean value or average for indoor cannabis sales. Now I do know of a few suppliers out in CA that will sell chronic for $6 per gram but only if you buy the whole 12 foot plant or all 2+ pounds. With this guy being in Mississippi and only growing 4 foot plants, he would likely sell at the 20 per gram range. Lets not forget he was able to post his $50,000 bond.
If you don’t like my math, I invite you to show me your own.
[Editor’s note: Thanks for letting NORML know that New Mexico citizens need to fear your ‘pro-reform’ advocacy….Heaven help them.
Stop pissing up a hemp rope on NORML’s webpage…you’re not going to win a debate in favor of caging cannabis cultivators here or any where there are sane humans present.
BTW, you’re incorrect regarding criminal charges and cannabis…hundreds of citizens busted for cannabis contact NORML and its 575 lawyers weekly who are charged on cannabis-only related charges; in many cases prosecutors drop assault, robbery, gun and even sexual assault charges in favor of the cannabis charge!
Why?
Because they can’t ‘steal’ (sorry, civilly forfeit) the money and/or property of accused arsonists, rapists, muggers, etc….instead, leading law enforcement to perversely concentrate on cannabis (and other illicit drug) consumers, where they can readily liquidate and KEEP the proceeds of the forfeiture.
Again, you’re either woefully misinformed or purposely misleading the reading audience.
What are you going to justify next here, prison rape of cannabis cultivators?]
To Mark Anthony – needed to add a couple things to what everybody else has said to you. First off, re your comment about people not wanting to legalize dealing: while this may be a sticking point for many at first, the ONLY way to achieve a peaceful, productive market is to fully legalize every aspect of the trade, from initial production to final consumption. Any retailer who sells alcohol or tobacco is a drug dealer, as are pharmacists, but you don’t see them gunning each other down. Why? Because their businesses are legal. They can go to court to resolve their disputes, or hold contract negotiations.
From your comments in #83, I can only conclude that you have absolutely 0 experience in the illegal market. First of all, you add 15 pounds to the total claimed by the police – they claim he had 51 plants capable of producing 10 pounds. Early on, they say they are charging him under the kingpin statute in part b/c he had 10 pounds, but they never mention confiscating any processed cannabis, leading me to believe they were simply referring to the plants’ potential production capabilities. So where did you find this extra 15 pounds the cops seem to have missed?
You also make several faulty assumptions about the man’s alleged business. You assume, and the police made statements intended to make you believe, that all 51 plants were flowering, and that they were all in the same stage of flowering, in which case 10 lbs would certainly be in the range of realistic results. As you should know if you actually grow 12 seedlings and 4 mature plants in your medical program, most growers will not put all the plants they have into flowering at the same time; they stagger them. If this guy had the space to accommodate 51 plants, he probably went to the effort of making vegging and flowering areas. Most growers, at any given time, will have at least half their plants in veg, and half the ones in flowering will be just starting as the other half are finishing. This allows a constant supply throughout the year, instead of having to really ration your harvest. Given that he allegedly had this system going for a year or more, I would guess that he was probably growing in this manner, meaning that he probably didn’t have much more than 10 plants ready for harvest when he was busted. Of course, cops don’t recognize this distinction, and assign an arbitrary weight value to plants regardless of stage of growth. If you were busted by the feds for your medical program (don’t dismiss the possibility, the feds are in no way prohibited from busting those growing in accordance with state guidelines) they would charge you with growing 16 plants and would assign an arbitrary weight to your immature plants.
You also seem to believe the police assertion that this guy is some kind of big drug dealer – you even make projections that he made quadruple the police estimate of his profit. For lack of a better term, your calculations are bullshit. First of all, your estimate is based on him having 25 lbs. The police only mention 10 lbs in the article – the potential harvest, they never mention seizing cured, packaged cannabis. As I asked above, where is this phantom 15 lbs?
Secondly, as R.O.E. noted, your gram prices must be from a very localized sample. Where I live, you pay $10/gram all the time. The only problem is the supply changes frequently and can vary from week to week from crappy mids to headies. Luckily, it tends to stay in the good mids – headies range. So even if we accept your magical multiplying cannabis theory and assume he had 25 lbs, the realistic street price is half what you estimate.
Finally, you obviously know nothing about how big distribution networks function. According to your estimate, not only was he a major grower, he was growing 4 of these large crops a year, then nickel and diming it out. What big grower in his right mind does that? If he was growing for distribution, which I question and will address in a second, he would certainly NOT sell it by the gram. Selling large amounts by the gram requires selling lots of cannabis to lots of people. Doing this poses a double threat to your crop: lots of visitors means more people potentially knowing you grow and store large amounts, and very visible traffic for the cops. People who grow for distribution wholesale, meaning they sell large quantities at low prices to a very small number of people. These people then break it down further, raise the price, and resell it. Typically, this happens a couple times before being sold by the lowest level retailers by the gram. If you’re in a good market, or a poor region, the price per lb directly from the grower shouldn’t be much more than $2000. The grower just wants to get the weight out of his hands, and is most likely to sell to friends and those close to him, and is therefore more willing to negotiate low prices.
My final point: there is no real evidence that he was actually distributing. At least, no conclusive evidence was presented in this article. As someone previously mentioned, if he was selling, especially getting rid of 10 lbs every few months, the cops should have been able to bust at least a few people buying from him. Where are these witnesses? I doubt he was growing for major distribution. For one thing, I’ve never heard of a commercial grow using fluorescent lights. If he was trying to get harvests every couple months and had 51 plants total, he probably wasn’t harvesting more than a quarter of them – in all likelihood, less – at once.
They mentioned that he owned guns – they always make a big ruckus when a pothead owns a gun – and will likely use this to advance their ‘kingpin’ case against him, but it doesn’t prove anything. You may not believe this, but owning a gun, even if you grow cannabis, does not make you a violent criminal. Maybe this man grew up hunting and target shooting, owned those rifles since he was a kid, and bought the .40 cal as soon as he could apply for a permit. Unless he bought those guns specifically to protect his grow, simple ownership does not mean he was using them to commit a crime. For all we know, he was the model gun owner, and kept them locked in a cabinet, unloaded, with trigger locks. The cops won’t tell us that. Cops routinely use the fact that an American citizen is exercising his/her right to own a firearm as a reason to throw that citizen in prison for longer. It’s despicable. As for you apparent support for such actions…please, take the editor’s advice and stop claiming to represent those who want to reform cannabis laws.
Our business is the complete legalization of cannabis/hemp not Mark Anthony…unless he interferes with our business disregard him lest he should become our business just because, dig?
R.O.E. Says:
November 17th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Mark Anthony:
I wont beat you up any more for your comment.I think the editor and the rest of us here have done a fine job of that.I do have one question though. WHERE are you buying your cannabis man? I would never in my day paid 20$ per GRAM, Thats One freaking joint for cryin out loud. Can anyone here attest to this,have any of you paid that for one joint or bowl?
Go to the dispensary websites.
But obviously this man was not growing that quality bud.
#73 Hey Mark thanks for the post, wow somethings i hate to read but regardless i did a google on Lawrence County District Attorney Jim Osborn here is his ugly mug: http://www.moultonadvertiser.com/articles/2009/11/05/news/doc4af2ebc1af1ab490721099.txt
i doubt they will post the comment i left for him…lol
@jd.
As far as paying $20 per gram goes, yes it happens, but it’s high-grade stuff (you’re going to pay for quality). In fact, $20 per gram is actually a sweet deal in some areas believe it or not. Some people try to charge $25-$30 for a gram, but I won’t pay any more than $20. However, you must understand, I am speaking of very potent strains. Not Mexican brick weed, and not commercial “high-grade” Marijuana.
Also, one gram breaks down to A LOT more than a joint or especially a bowl. You aren’t talking about the compacted seedy/stemmy brick weed, right? If not, a single bud that weighs a gram has one stem, no seeds or other BS. So you get more bud and keep in mind it’s more potent. However, I guess it depends on how much you smoke. I know people who can make a gram last a week. Really good stuff.
Gram – $20
Eighth – $60
Quarter – $120
Half – #200-$220
Ounce – $400-$450
Listed above are the prices I can get the top-notch stuff for. I live in the south, near Mississippi. For the past several months all that’s been around is stuff from Cali, Oregon, Miami, and Colorado. You can’t find Mexican brick weed anywhere, there just isn’t a demand for it anymore.
As soon as some states closer to mine legalize Medical Marijuana, that’s when the prices will drop even further. I hope Texas legalizes Marijuana for medicinal purposes soon, but I’m not sure how likely that will be.
We smoke on some of the same stuff, but just may pay a little extra.
To the editor:
The last time I looked at what norml stands for it was the responsible use by adults and the non-profit transfer of small amounts, not the free market opportunities for current dealers. Once full adult use is legal, we can tackle the dealer’s issues. As for telling me that I am not helping the cause, there no one else here meeting with the lawmakers, at least not at the city level. All I am doing is trying to get the people that are flat out against us to change their mind. They have heard your input and still say no, they hear my views and say I got them thinking. Truth be told, New Mexico is ahead of most states and there is no norml chapter here. Maybe if you guys had a chapter in Mississippi this poor guy would not be facing life in jail.
As for you comment about the hundreds of citizens busted for cannabis, I was talking about the three you had pointed out that or doing life in Alabama’s Talladega Federal Prison, not your every day Joe busted for smoking in the park and you know it.
Also I’m sorry if I am misinforming your readers, I’m not trying to I’m just trying to share the views of the people who hold the votes of change. We need their votes and we have to take into account their views if we are going to work on a bill that will pass in the near future.
#105
You raise many good points and are open to debate, I like that.
First to your comment about the dealers, you are 1000% right. There’s just one problem, lawmakers are not ready to deal with the dealer issue yet. It is still too taboo. We will be lucky if we get medical on a federal level in the next few years. After that we can fight for personal use on the federal level. Then we can fight for freedom to grow and sell with no limits. That’s when we fight for dealers’ rights.
Now to the 25 pounds issue.
If you research this guy you will find out that he did have 8 pounds of processed marijuana and the 51 plants. Now I grow cannabis and I know as a fact that you can get about 5 Oz from one 4 foot plant. 5Oz times 51 plants is just less than 16 pounds. Now the 8 pounds he had and the 16 from the plants is 24 pounds, so maybe I was off by a pound.
Now as to if they where flowering, all my estimates are for a 4 foot plant that is done flowering. If the plant was 4 feet before it started to flower it’s final yield would be will over 5 Oz per plant and then total weight would be over 25 pounds.
Now as to his intent to sell, you tell me. Was the 8 pounds processed marijuana and the 51 plants all for his personal use?
Now to the price, even at 10 a gram he is breaking the law. Where talking hundreds of thousands of dollars in unreported income.
Now to the fact that he had a gun, you always look bad if you have a gun and deal drugs, in fact in many states you will get extra time in jail just for having it. If you want to grow cannabis you don’t need a gun to do it. If you don’t think we should put people in jail over a plant then there’s no way you could shoot someone to protect it. It’s just a plant right, so get rid of the guns you will do more time for having it.
[Editor’s note: Odd as it maybe, you can support incarcerating non-violent, cannabis cultivators…as a matter of principle NORML does not.
Regarding guns and cannabis…again, another warping of the Constitution on the part of the government and you. Absent prima facia evidence that a gun is used in the actual commission of a crime, why should cannabis cultivators be deprived of their Second Amendment rights? Can pharmaceutical CEOs own guns? Can a truck driver for Budweiser own a gun? How about a tobacco farmer, as all of these ‘drug dealers’ only make and market genuinely deadly products? Why should any citizen suffer on the altar of the failed and self-evidently unenforceable cannabis prohibition laws? Worse, why do citizens allow elected policymakers to keep funding such failed policies?]
my grandmother was killed in a hit and run. drunk driver.because she ran they couldnt prove she was drunk she was given 3years she served 18 months.life for 51 plants give me a break!
Hey bro , For all its worth , if this was me I’d want a jury trial w/a jury of my peers & I’d make sure that I was actively involved in pickin the jurors (ya know the stoner types) & I wouldnt take a plea deal even if they threatend me w/some big punishment ! Fork them ya know ! Roll the dice , represent yourself and really throw a monkey wrench into their system ! delay ,delay continuance etc , Bye the time I got through w/them they’d be so sick of me that they”d prob, drop the charges ! Can I get a jury anullment ? Bust the deal & spin the wheel ! I’d question everything they threw @ me and demand expert witneses ! I’d fight this tyranny w/every last drop of my blood ! Fuck dem mississippi redneck mo-foes ! good luck 2 ya !
We have a National Debt of 12 TRILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!!
How can we continue Marijuana prohibition? What the hell is wrong with people?!
Wake up. Marijuana does not cause communism. Marijuana is not addictive. Marijuana does not damage your body in any way, even with long term use. It is not the 1950’s anymore please grow up and lets use some common sense already.
There are more positive health benefits then health downsides for cannabis use! Wake up and see how you’ve been lied to! Spread the word!
Guns and cannabis.
The question is asked, “Why should cannabis cultivators be deprived of their Second Amendment rights?”
Answer: They should not, and are not. There is nothing that says a person should be deprived of the right to bear arms for growing cannabis.
So why does a person get more time in jail for having a gun? …. Well the answer to that is simple. It is a deterrent for future criminals. You don’t need a gun to rob a bank, yet if you have one you might shoot the cashier. You don’t need a gun to make a drug deal, yet if you have one you might shoot the other guy and take his money and his dope. The point is guns kill people and if you have one on you when you commit a crime, there is a chance you will loose you cool and shoot someone, or even worse you might shoot the cop that’s trying to catch you.
Now lawmakers wanted to find a way to get criminals to stop charring guns, so they split the group. Gun crimes and non-gun crimes, here in New Mexico I think you get + 10 years if you fall under gun crime. It’s simple, use a gun in your crime and get more time!
Now I don’t want any cannabis growers to have to do extra time just for having a gun. You have a right to have it, but do you really need it? If you know you are breaking the law then why take the chance of getting more time?
I am a medical cannabis user, so does that mean that I should not be able to drive a car? I say no, I have a right to drive. However the day I got my medical ID, I cut up my drivers’ license. I have my wife drive me if I need to go somewhere. I don’t even take the chance.
It is by this logic that I say cannabis growers don’t need guns and should not have them, even though they have the right to.
If reading all this has given you a headache, let me share a home recipe with you to help out:
1 part Big Buddha’s Cheese
2 parts Cinco
1 part K-train
2 parts Kandy Kush
1.5 parts Red Cherry Berry #7
I have found this really helpful for headaches.
[Editor’s note: You apparently don’t know what you don’t know re cannabis and gun ownership under cannabis prohibition…even state compliant medical cannabis patients have their Second Amendment rights taken away by the government. As recently as Nov. 4 the issue of gun owner rights for medical cannabis patients being interfered with by the government is being litigated in Oregon.
Unfortunately the government’s war on cannabis consumers also negatively effects the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 14th Amendments to the US Constitution.]
Stuck in MS wrote …”My senator who happens to be my landlord for my business has told me he supports legalization but it would be political suicide in Ms. to even suggest legalization in public. Around here the southern baptists, better known as talibaptists, will never allow legalization to happen; they still preach about no dancing or drinking. Maybe you better understand the situation in Ms. now.”
For stuck and anybody else in similar position, an appropriate response to a real Christian, interested in God’s real word is Mark 7:18-23, part of which reads…Don’t you see that nothing that enters a man from outside can make him unclean? For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out his body…What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery….All these come from inside and make a man unclean. There are actually 2 or 3 more similar scriptures as this in the bible if you want to look them up. Good luck in MS.
Sucks about the guy looking at life.
LIFE IN PRISON FOR GROWING A CROP THAT GEORGE WASHINGTON SAID IT WAS TREASON TO REFUSE TO GROW! YES IT IS VERY TRUE, IT WAS ILLEGAL TO NOT GROW HEMP/CANNABIS [(HE REFERRED TO SMOKING ITS FLOWERS IN HIS VALLEY FORGE JOURNALS AND SAID THAT IT WAS CRUCIAL TO HAVE THE FLOWERS TO BE VICTORIOUS IN THE WAR AGAINST THE BRITISH AND DID NOT MAKE HIS BATTLE MOVE UNTIL THEY HAD BEEN OBTAINED)] IN VIRGINA IN 1776-1779, YES IT WAS ILLEGAL TO HAVE LESS THAN TWO(MAYBE THREE) HEMP/CANNABIS PLANTS GROWING ON YOUR PROPERTY. THE ORIGINAL MODEL T WAS MADE ENTIRELY OF HEMP AND RAN ON HEMP GASOLINE(WHICH DOES NOT POLLUTE) THIS ORIGINAL MODEL T WAS TEN TIMES STRONGER, PLEASE SPREAD THE TRUTH AT EVERY AVAILABLE POINT, SEEK THE TRUTH AND BE PROUD OF IT, WE ARE ALMOST THERE
I live in England and we have the same stupid laws as the USA regarding cannabis use. But how many of you know that HOLLAND has thousands of outlets called “Coffee Shops” that do not sell coffee – but pure grade stuff at very reasonable prices. The sensible Dutch legislators decided long ago that criminalising cannabis just filled up their jails at tremendous cost to the tax-payer. Now, the jails are empty, no need for street dealers, no drug-related crimes and you have to be 18-years old to enter the shop. You can roll a joint in there but, funnily enough you can’t smoke on the premises. You have to smoke it in the street. I sat down outside toking my head off and a cop joined me at the table – and we laughed about the fucked up state of the rest of the world – and especially the USA-led “War On Drugs” – what a hopeless crock of shit that is!
I’m from Alabama. Lord, please help me win the Florida lottery so I can move to Colorado so I can get out of the south with the bullshit laws for marijuana.
I knew a man once here in Alabama that spent 10 years in prison for two joints. Yes, two joints. I’ve managed to stay out of jail and I’ve been smoking pot for over thirty years. I had help because my dad was a cop, I’m sure. Now that my dad’s not living I’m sure I’m fair game. It’s very bad on the nerves to still smoke but I just have to take that chance. I’m not going to quit. I love it too much. I don’t keep anything in my house that can send me to jail. A friend keeps my pot for me and I have to go to his house in the country just to smoke a joint. That’s not good because when he runs out, he helps his self to mine. I have no choice. It’s better than having the law bust into my house with the dogs. If they find anything in my house they will have to plant it. Of course, the law around here will probably do just that.
This is crazy. People in other states are growing. Just because Mississippi is a backwards state like MO. More people need to lobby and do legislative work in their state. We are working hard in our state to make this medicine legal so we can grow our own medicine.
Wake up America 13 states have legislation for their patients to obtain quality medications. What about the other states there are lots of sick who are still waiting on getting their meds.. Wake up America and free our medicine.
You know, “11 months and 29 days” is a hair spliters way of saying (1) year for (51) plants. That’s (7.15) days per plant.So if “Mark Anthony” has (5 not 4) mature plants and (13 not 12) seedlings in his posession ,he could ,by his own terms,be put in jail for 14.3 days for the extra 2 plants. This is logical absurdity to say the least.And you just know he’s got more at home than 4 and 12, right “Mark Authoritarian”? Give it up, caging people for plants is tyranny, laws or no laws.
I had no idea that Oregon was trying to take gun rights away from cannabis growers, so I am looking into a bit. The first step to fighting something is to understand it.
The link that you have supplied talks about Oregon wanting to take away the concealed handgun permit form growers not there right to own a gun. Now here in New Mexico you can own all the guns you want at home, but if you want to carry a hand gun in your belt under your shirt, while you are in a public place “ Like an old school Cowboy” You must first get a concealed handgun permit.
From what I understand about the 2nd amendment right is, you can own a gun, and even carry it around in public, but it must be I plain view while your in the public. Now hiding that gun in your shirt or jacket is not a right but a privilege.
Rights are something you are able to do if you want. A privilege is something your must first get permission to do. Growing medical cannabis is a privilege not a right, so why cant we set up a grow room next to a school? … Because the law made the rule “no grow rooms within 500 feet of a school”. Yet none of us question that rule to the privilege of growing. Driving a car is a privilege not a right, so you have to follow the rules of having a driver’s license. The idea of putting rules on these privileges is for public safety, not punishment.
Don’t you think there should be rules for carrying a concealed firearm?
Should a mentally ill person be carrying a concealed firearm?
How about someone on meds for the mentally ill?
Can cannabis be used as a med for the mentally ill?
How about James Roszko? He was all for guns and growing cannabis, yet there is no way your going to defend him.
So does that make it right to stop growers from getting a concealed handgun permit… of course not!!! But is this a 2nd amendment issue… I don’t think so, the 2nd don’t say anything about concealing a gun.
Just so you know, I have never owned a gun and never plan to. I don’t like them. I have always felt like if I have one, I would pull it out when I was mad or drunk and do something stupid. Not a chance I’m willing to take.
I do feel that all of you should have the right to own a gun.
Again though, supporting use but not taking into account the supply problem is a quirk even in Holland. They manage to turn a blind eye, but on paper you could never grow enough to support the coffee shops. Hence an ongoing problem with cartels and the like controlling a chunk of the supply even there.
Why would anyone support the idea of prosecuting a person to the fullest extent of the law for “Made in the USA” versus the cartel junk? Are law makers in love with outsourcing everything we could possibly make outside our borders?
US prosecutors are known for not bothering with certain, very large, thresholds when it comes to border crossers caught carrying contraband. But for a simple local cultivation by a citizen, local and sometimes even federal ones, will go after them tooth and nail.
Any support for this continuing practice does not make sense. They have also not shown that he caused deliberate harm. He didn’t get arrested in a hail of bullets or committing a violent crime. He simply was supplying (albeit poorly) other dealers.
I digress though. There is still the supply factor that has to be dealt with. The questions I always have for decriminalized possession states is how you can have one without the other. The stuff doesn’t truly grow “wild” all over the place such that it could be a supply source. Therefore someone has to be cultivating and supplying it from “somewhere.”
Any support for prosecution of the cultivation is a continuance of the current policy regardless of your final intent. Legislators dont want cartel violence in their backyard but they cannot commit “political suicide” is the claim by supporting an end to the cartels via legalizing the competition. 30 years and over a trillion dollars spent combating a problem that has actually grown in that same time frame is clear enough in the business world. It would spell and end. The problem with this business (of prohibition) are jobs and prisons and special interests that died 50 years ago.
Mark seems comfortable with his rights as established and is wanting to take them further for others. The only problem is he has his relatively safeguarded rights and is capable of accepting collateral damage to others as just and fitting now. The argument that he was over the top and is deserving of punishment is hypocrisy. Mark’s is violating Federal law in his medical use. By his own logic he should be incarcerated as well.
Crazy debate but hopefully one that we can all learn from.
Sherrie, trying to change the legislation pertaining to marijuana is a hopeless cause in the south. The Southern Baptists run the south. They are not going to change their minds. It’s sad, but it’s true.
this is fucking bullshit and technically he wasnt growing “marijuana” he was growing cannibus not all cannibus plants are marijuana plants but all all marijuana plants are canibus plants so if any of those [plants were male they should take those plants off of what he is being charged with adn besides marijuana is the healthiest thing out there if it was so bad then there would not be evaluation clinics and dispenseries all over the united states therefore this is fucking bull shit FREE Ronald Sekul
hah just realized i spelled Canabis wrong but whatever either way its bullshit
This sucks and I know how tough the midwest is on us stoners because just last weekend a buddy of mine and i got busted with less than a gram of some good cali bud at my college plus a bong and we could get two years and a fine of 5000 dollars, just for a gram! that is why i can not wait until marijuana is legal because im going to find those cops and walk around smoking a j right in front of them ^_^
Just thought I’d like to try and sensibly comment on Marc Anthony – seeing as he’s not getting any support for all his efforts. It has to be said, this guy is one brave MF to put his pennyworth in on a blog like this. Looking at all the scathing comments he’s got – poor fucker has received nothing but grief – yet he STILL bounces back. Yet to me, that just shows what fighting tenacity he has – he really DOES know what he’s talking about – he’s just talking to the wrong fucking crowd! It’s obvious to me that this guy is NOT working for the feds or the fuzz – he’s too fucking honest for one thing. But it has to be said he is a little naive – to think he’d get support for his views on this particular blog because all us potheads have to break the law to get our smokes – and he doesn’t! He tells the truth about politicians being craven cowards because of the votes issue – but everyone knows that, nothing new there. What he SHOULD be doing is running for office himself!! NOW that’s something every hairy assed biker would just lurve to hear!Christ, I’d even give him ten damn dollars to start up his fighting fund. Let’s face it, EXISTING politicians DO have something to lose – but Marc Anthony has NOTHING to lose by his honest-to-goodness well-argued campaign – and my guess is every blogger on this site would send him ten dollars – to have the guts to stand up and try to change our stupid laws. C’mon guys don’t give the fella a hard time – instead let’s encourage him – this is the type of guy the public WOULD listen to – he’s the very guy we WANT on our side! Nuff said, Good luck Marc Anthony – throw your hat in the ring – I’ll back you ’til the cows come home. We know you have tenacity but the big question is; do you have the guts?
.
This is a total waste of money, just like the whole corrupt ‘War on Drugs’ is a total farce. It’s possibly the most evil thing on the planet.
.
absurd thought –
God of the Universe says
the unions must be in charge
SUPPORT the evil drug war
make jobs for law enforcement
.
SHUT UP AND VOTE, TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW JUST VOTE………….
jet is a bunch of dumb low paid losers whos job is to stop marijuanan dealers from making cash when meth crack heroin murder and rape are the crimes that are taking over jackson while these dummies get paid to chase non violent criminals ….way to go mr barbour you are the HEAD GRAND WIZARD OF THINKING
LEE BROOKS FOR MAYOR
BATMAN AS CHIEF OF POLICE AND DAVID BANNER AS SHERIFF THEN WE GOT THE OLD JACKSON BACK LOL THE GOOD OLE DAYS WHEN METROCENTER WAS BOOOOMING
this is insane…our rights are being fucked in the ass by the govt….the founding fathers grew acres upon acres of marijuana….i wonder what they would say if they could see what this country is like today….pitiful, the land of the oppressed….this country is about freedom….how are we free if we cannot grow and smoke a plant that is not addictive, less harmful than tobacco = legal and alcohol = legal…Ive read that one person dies every 2 seconds from tobacco related illnesses…oh, and you cant overdose on weed either…can you OD on Tylenol? yes…vicidin? yes…oxycotton? yes…ibeprophen? yes…..alcohol? yes….the prohibition of marijuana is completely, 100 fucking percent unconstitutional…if it werent for the love i have for my family and friends, i would leave this oppressed state of ohio and move somewhere i can be truly free….potheads need to start hitting the streets with picket signs and megaphones….when i think off all the non violent people in jail for taking part in their right, their natural, undeniable, unalienable right to smoke or grow marijuana, i become very ashamed and embarrassed to be an American…the usa is supposed to defend the rights of its citizens…not rape their citizens of their rights…get it straight…make it right….undo your injustices…and legalize it already, we’re not going to stop smoking it…have you not realized that yet? are you blind? seriously…open you eyes….wake up and smell the ganja
To think we live in what is considered a constitutionally protected country; Whats wrong with that picture! Being a 53 yr old disabled man who smoked marijuana for pleasure for some 35 yrs, and now use it for medicinal reasons, as well as the great frame of mind it brings me to. When I was younger I to was imprisoned for marijuana, when does this bullshit end man. My heart broke when I read this article. I know how this poor chap feels right now,not to mention the pain his family and love ones are going through; is this the country our fore fathers established, absolutely not. Unfortunately everything is structured around greed and ignorance. In 35 years I have never heard of (1) case where as someone harmed another person as the result marijuana induced rage. The crimes that do surround marijuana are always a direct result of greed, if it were off the black market I believe 90 percent of those crimes would be eliminated completely. Unfortunately this government has dug a hole so deep by incarcerating thousands upon thousands that I don’t believe legalization is in the future; due to the many incarcerated persons they would have to contend with should it become legal. If you think the convicted persons would just do their time without complaints if legalization took place you’ve got another thing coming, and I wouldn’t blame them, as I was one of those persons. I wish I knew what the answer was. If the system could say WE MADE A MISTAKE; and release the incarcerated persons that fall under the new guidelines upon legalization. BUT we know they’ll never do that… A very sad situation all around.
when will mass legalize pot?
Its rediculous that they can put anyone away for growing weed. Its not even as close to harmful as alcohol and tobacco and they are legal. the problem is that too many people sand to lose if marijuana is legalized. the alcohol companies, paper, the dea. This country revolves around money and they should open their eyes and realize pot isnt bad and everyone could actually benefit from legalization. I guarantee that soon marijuana will be legal because just like in the case of prohibition of the 1920s people got tired and took a stand.
I f cannabis was legal:
Look at all the paychecks that get cut: The cops make their dollars. The bail bondsmen get their rake off. The prosecutors make their cases. The social workers write up their interviews. The clerks push their papers. The lawyers collect their fees. The judges render their verdicts. The prison guards make their rounds. The vendors sell their baloney sandwiches. The construction firms build their additions. And the shrinks nod their heads.
If the constitution was printed on cannabis paper and signers such George Washington Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin were large grower of cannabis I find it hard to believe that our personal and medical, use is not protected by the Bill of Right and our Constitution.
I am 59years old and been laid off for 18 month now and just scrape by on my wife’s $8 hour job. I have been smoking off and on for over 40 year only when I can afford or offered. I now have several medical issues that I feel cannabis helps me. I have no medical insurance and they finally open up a clinic in my area with a siding scale. How ever if the Doctor writes me a prescription or refers me to specialists that I cant afford to fill or see, what good is it. This past summer I ordered five female cannabis seeds from http://www.ministryofcannabis.com/shop.html?aff_id=50 for about $35. In a little over 60 days I had enough personal medical cannabis to last several month depending whether I smoked which uses the least or vaporize or made butter. As an adult with two speeding ticket and ticket for a rolling stop since 1967and I have always filed a tax return. Why should I be a criminal for a god given plant the helps me and makes me feel better. If you change the category of cannabis prisoners to political prisoner China would pale in comparison. How ever what would China invest in we did not have the very profitable prison Bonds to sell them.
I think the united states government should legalize marijuana and tax it like tabaco!If this was to happen the government would cut out all of the drug smuggling and billions of dollars of profits too other countries. Legalizing marijuana would benifit our “united stats” economy and get us out of this recetion. Look at how the drug cartel are living it up laughing at the united states government. Why dont we cut them out competly and start laughing at them for the first time in the United States hisory.
welcome to comunist china
I grow 200 in a sea of green. There only 16-24 inches
when done. Producing only 4lbs. But because Im across from a catholic school and its ellegal in my state I could do life to. God created all things for a purpose.
Once again its the evil hearts of men nailing anything
thats pure and good to the cross.
this seriously cant be true. LEGALIZE FREEDOM
[Editor’s note: Unfortunately, cannabis consumers and sellers in a number of states routinely face life sentences for possessing, selling and cultivating cannabis. In the recent case below out of Oklahoma, a 25-year old man is facing TWO life sentences for possessing three pounds of dried vegetable matter, with mild psychoactivity–in a country where taxed products such as tobacco kills over 400,000 annually; alcohol severely impairs, causes injury and death every day.
Drug charges have Enid man facing life sentences
By Cass Rains, Staff Writer
An Enid man is facing two possible life sentences on drug charges after being stopped Nov. 13 with three pounds of marijuana in his car.
Dustin Cain Buffalo, 25, was charged with counts of unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.
Buffalo was stopped about 5:05 p.m. Nov. 13 by Garfield County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Logan Niles in the 8400 block of South Oklahoma 74 for illegal window tint.
While speaking to Buffalo, Niles reported he could smell an odor of burnt marijuana and saw Buffalo putting a plastic bag into his front pocket, according to a court document. When asked about the smell of marijuana in the car, Buffalo said there “might be a blunt” in the car, according to the affidavit. Niles asked Buffalo if he had any drugs on his person, and Buffalo said he did and gave Niles a small plastic bag of marijuana from his front pocket, according to the affidavit.
Deputy Jon Marshall arrived with his K-9, GeGe, who alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, the deputies recovered three one-pound packages of marijuana rolled inside a shirt in the back seat.
Buffalo is being charged after former conviction of two felonies and is free on $20,000 bond.
http://www.enidnews.com/localnews/local_story_323234747.html%5D
100 R.O.E.
Califoenia leads the nation…there’s no doubt about that. In Cal…the gram weight “standard” is $20.00 per gram with discounts for volume. The price of Merinol at the “drug”-store will really knock your socks off.
The real problem with 51 indoor plants in a residence is that it pretty much destroys the house/apt. Insulation and ventalation helps but, that fungus can kill the biggest investment of one’s life.
Manny
everyone email the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics officers asking them to please give Sekul a lesser charge.
We know and understand the good cannabis is for our society, from medical aid to replacement of wood which in tern saves the forest and the reefs on this planet.
We have to over come this Government fraud, this Constructive Fraud set upon us and destorying our liberties. We must not let up about this exposed fraud and we must call it what it is, a Crime against the people.
But until this wayward government gives up it’s unconstitutional position We, the People must act through our Courts. We must protect people like the man facing LIFE in prison. It is simple, we over ride the government in the court rooms acrossed America. Jury Nullification! That’s right, be a Jurier, be the Peer that reviews the case before the court, and then Nullify the Law, hang the jury, refuse to convict. As a jurier, educate the rest of the Jury in this Constructive Fraud and refuse to take part in it. Nullify the Law by way of Jury Lawlessness! No judge, no court can stop a jury in a criminal trial from reaching it own conclusion as to what is a Crime!
So please stand and be counted, be a part of our court system, be a jurier and use your god given power to over ride this wayward government and it’s foolish cannabis law.
Jury Nullification
Know It
Practice It
Change the Cannabis Laws
It is time to act, and act we must, we must stop this wayward government from sending anyone to prison over this plant. Time to put our foot down on the government waywardness and nullify those foolish laws they create that do not represent the will of the American people.
Time to push, so PUSH REAL HARD against this unjust fruad once and for all.
The entrenched bias against any form of cannabis has been a tough nut to crack. The arcane laws and misinformation has worked well over the past 70 years and has also served to provide a very nice living to millions of law enforcement creatures. It will be very, very difficult to pry their lips off the public tit any time soon, they have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Cops, lawyers, judges, jailers, cities, states, and federal… How many of these people are there simply because of the millions and millions of dollars generated for them by the
cannabis war? My dream is to someday add these warm and fuzzy creatures to the ranks of the unemployed. I am surprised and encouraged by the breath and depth of the current cannabis legalization surge. It has been my hope for 40 years now that maybe someday I can finally come out of the closet. The inroads we have gained on medical cannabis has brought reason and hope to millions of americans and now we must never quit the good war and road we are on. Write or call or e-mail your lawmakers, be a thorn in their sides. Tell them in no uncertain terms that after 72years of bad law, misinformation and millions of incarcerations, not to mention the lives ruined, that you have had
enough goverment lies and deception and that your vote for them in the next election will be determined by their actions concerning the legalization of cannabis. It is that simple. I believe that legalization will happen first in California and the cascade will follow. The federal gov. will be forced to change. We are seeing it already in the AMA’s position last week on reviewing the placement of cannabis as a class 1 narcotic and possibly downgrading it to a class 2 substance. A small but important change. It took 72 years to change that but now it seems we have the
momentum, the wind at our back. Now is not the time to lower the din. Now is the time to shout out your
representatives and senators, your governors and city managers, your mayors and councilmen. Tell them to re-educate themselves about cannabus, that last year over 35000 people died in the US from alcohol abuse. Tell them that NO ONE died from cannabis use last year. Tell them thousands more die each year from failed and scarred livers attributed to alcohol. Tell them no one died from liver failure using cannabis. Tell them that almost every violent act, every assault in the US has a alcohol component, every domestic abuse has alcohol at it’s core, almost every child abuse! Every broken home. Violence and obnoxious behavior from alcohol appears at virtually every major sporting event to
the degree that many families no longer attend these events because of the alcohol abuse. Tell them another Michigan student died last week of alcohol overdose. Tell them that last year 35 students died from alcohol overdose. Tell them that we want a SAFER alternative to the dangerous and mind numbing, violence inducing alcohol.Either you add your voice now or we will wait another 72 years before reason and logic bubble to the surface again.
I’m sick of this too. I feel like that guy on “Network” leaning out the window and screaming “I’m fucking sick and tired of this, and im not going to take it anymore!”
i beg to differ… you can over dose on weed its just literally impossible… you have to somke like 60 lb. in 60 min….
well, then it’s physically impossible to overdose on weed. why argue
It is time we stop begging for permission to use cannabis and start demanding! We are up to 50 million strong and have a very powerful voice to be heard. USE YOUR VOTE. Get your law makers off the fence or vote them out of office. In the mean time the smoking lamp is on! Do we really need permission to toke? NOT! The greatest freedom a man can have is to do what he wants, when he wants as long as he brings harm to no one else, regardless of the law. I have so much disrespect for the cannabis laws I simply flaunt them as do millions of others. I do not need their permission and I am tired of begging for it. Give them the finger and pass the dobie. Life is too short to waste another minute on these boneheads.
There was a bust in Tallahassee Florida of and old couple just trying to get by today . I wish any of you that can post your comments would do so there to many ignorant people down here. They could be your parent trying to make it. \The link is http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091209/BREAKINGNEWS/91209008/UPDATE-Elaborate-operation-uncovered-in-drug-bust-of-married-couple
Too bad he wasn’t a Wall Street banker:
“Drug money saved banks in global crisis, claims UN advisor”
Drugs and crime chief says $352bn in criminal proceeds was effectively laundered by financial institutions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/2009/dec/13/drug-money-banks-saved-un-cfief-claims
JACK AUFF youre completely right. The mexican economy cannot sustain itself without the billions of dollars in drug money. If you removed all drug money from Mexico’s economy they would go belly up.
ONE DAY POT WILL BE LEGAL, I truely believe in the next 10-20 years we will see it happen. I hate to put it this way, but as the older more conservative anti-pot generation dies out, the new younger,more informed generation even if they dont use pot will want to see it legalized.
10-20 years?? Excuse me but this next november California will likely vote to legalize and tax cannabis similar to alcohol regardless of Federal law. When other people in other states see what the will of the people is capable of, amazing things will begin to happen. Federal law will be forced to change or be nullified. We are now the majority according to the latest nationwide poll and many, many of us vote with a passion! Current elected officials and future elected candidates had better understand that it is now an advantage to them to be on our side and to re-evaluate their position of cannabis legalization. No, not 10-20 years, 4 years tops! And as California proves to the rest of us that cannabis really doesn’t make black men want to look at white girls and life pretty much goes on normally with the exception of the state reaping millions upon millions in taxes from the taxing of cannabis, how long do you think it will take for the other states to catch on? Cannabis legalization is much more that the recreational use of the plant. The commercial use of the rest of the plant will generate even more revenue for the state! Money moves the nation and the potential money from legal cannabis is staggering. People get ready for theres a train a coming!
denbee i really think that 4 years is too optiimistic. California, might legalize, because people are doing it anyway so why not save california’s economy with pot.. I’m all for it but look at the pot laws around the country and we still have many ass backward states, including florida where i live. I think it’ll take a lot longer than 4 years
In 1968 I got 1 year hard labor in Greencastle Ind. I was 18yrs and I had pulled up some Indiana Hemp ( thc practly zero and used to make rope in the old days. Ind. was the Hemp capitol of the US and still grows wild there. I was charged,convicted and sent to a notorious labor camp. Charlie Manson had every official in the US angry and I was charged / convicted for NAROCOTICS. Which in 68 it was considered. In Mo. I faced Life ( still on the books I think ) for ” intent to deliver to a minor. I was also under 21 and beat the case. In the mid 70 I got 2 to 5 and 1 to 10 run concurently and sent to Menard State Pen. for Possession of more than 454 grams of local weed. Im not in the least surprised to hear what they want to do to this poor sod! In a time where politicians are some of the worst criminals in the US we still have many States with archiac Laws that ruin lives. I moved to Ca. and bought my medical marijuana in Oaksterdam a block from the cop shop!Lawfully! Now I have to live in this state where a pipe will get you arrested! We should all Pray for this guy! Her grew some pot, big deal! BOOZE is still considered Fine even though it’s addicting and kills tens of thousands every year and nicotine is more addicting than Heroine. Check it out.
And here we have a President that did pot and coke and admitted It! Good thing statute of limitations ran out before he wrote his book and Confessed!! zman
“Our nation can acknowledge the dangers of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana while still permitting their use. The only logically and morally consistent argument for marijuana prohibition necessitates the criminalization of all harmful recreational drugs, including alcohol, nicotine and caffeine. We can agree that such an infringement on personal freedoms is as impractical as it is un-American. The time has come to accept that our nation’s attitude toward marijuana has been misguided for generations and that the only rational approach to cannabis is to legalize, regulate and tax it.”
Dr. Nathan, a psychiatrist in Princeton, N.J., is a clinical assistant professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
mark anthony you should go to jail for having your head up your ass! You are the reason we need reform!
RE: Mark Anthony;
I have always viewed you as a bag of wind. You have about as much fight in you as a worm, which actually fits your personality. The world I come from is one that you stand with your brothers, not watch them get fucked while you stand on the side lines with your fucking bullshit weed the feds feed your rat ass. Who the fuck are you to investigate, and or make recommendations of any sort. I guess I can’t figure out how you weren’t shut down years ago. I served in Nam while your whining ass was crying. Fuck you you piece of shit!
Why is every body missing the point of this artical that I see?
This shows how this fucked up this country is that I still call home.The USA people got there heads so far up the governments ass we as a nation can’t even think straight. Our founders believed in individual FREEDOM and PRIVACY from government. Also they belived that every preson has the right to vote and speek freely.
So, with all that lets use this forum (internet)to unite our outrage and pull our collective heads out of the ass of government.Vote out of office these greedy,selflothing politicians and start electing forward thinking,realist that understand the will of the people. Untill we understand that all politicans in government right now are nothing but crooks and liers, we will as a socioty be so fucked over, day in and day out and issue after issue.
Right now I am so pissed off at this country i am seriously thinking about moving to canada.(That was a Joke)
I got on this website after loosing my job after a positive random test the day after returning from New Years vacation. Now I am skrewed by unemployment insurance, cobra insurance, and i was FIRED. Real good for my job hunt in a crappy economy that gets worst by the minute. The other thing that sucks is that I wasn’t even stoned when i took the test. But because i puffed-up three days earlier at a New Years Eve party,it showed up on this UNCONSTUTIONAL invation into my privacy.
The only answer to all of the foolishness is newly elected government officials that are scrutinized by the people before they are even considered for a nomination.