[Libloather]

From a fellow FReeper -

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

[Libloather]

Flail away...

[BrooklynGOP]

Well, you can definately spend some nights in jail for posession. Also, if you are having a party, and you buy in quantity, then you'll be charged with intent to deal.

[Senator Pardek]

True - but no one has ever spent time in jail for stuffing rounds into a firearm, either...

[donh]

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

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

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

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

[Trailerpark Badass]

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

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

[AzJP]

You have proof that Liberteens made that exact claim?

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

Or you just looking to empty a spray can?

M

[Zon]

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

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

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

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

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

You appear to be making a very petty argument.

[Physicist]

This web page cites "Marijuana Arrests and Incarceration in the United States," (Chuck Thomas; Drug Policy Analysis Bulletin, Issue Number Seven, June 1999; Washington, D.C.: Federation of American Scientists) as saying that 60,000 people were incarcerated for marijuana offenses. That article may have a breakdown of the 1999 figures.

[Roscoe]

"We're not talking about the guy who sells on the street corner,' Class said. "We're talking about the guy who flies the plane." Class said he did not know of any prisoners here simply for using drugs.

"We don't get sent to federal prison for smoking pot," Class said. "A lot of these people are criminals. The money these days is in drugs, so they sold drugs."

http://www.crrh.org/hempnews/hn_11.html

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

As far as anyone can tell, not ONE person has been placed behind bars for smoking pot.

Well, in 72 and 73 I assure you a half dozen guys spent at least a few days in the stockade almost every time I had Charge of Quarters duty and once when I was SGT of the Guard.

That does not include the guy who got high and took his bayonet to the helicopter. He spent a couple of days in the hospital (should have awaited a SOG with a better sense of humor), a few in the stockade and 3-5 in Levenworth.

[Heyworth]

Robert Mitchum.

You did say "ever."

[rintense]

My brother was- but that's only because he chose to smoke pot and then drive his motorcycle into a police car. Dumbass.

[thepitts]

Better guestion

Has an inocent person ever had their life destroyed by the unconstitutional WO some drugs?

[Cultural Jihad]

In California, possession of marijuana in any quantity is not a felony, but a misdemeanor. In addition, there is no arrest as long as the quantity is an ounce or less and the offender has ID and promises to appear before the court. Then at most it's a hundred dollar fine. It's been that way for the past 29 years.

[Heyworth]

James Geddes. 90 year sentence in Oklahoma because he was a frequent visitor to a home where a friend was growing five marijuana plants. Eventually it was reduced to five years.

http://www.adoptagreenprisoner.org/JamesGeddesStory.htm

[Jalapeno]

the Wall - http://mir.drugtext.org/november/wall.html

This sight has the 'prisoners of the war on drugs' and their stories. Some seem stories sad, others cruel, others were obviously dealing.

[CapandBall]

having fun with semantics I see.

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

smoking is the verb, marijuana is the noun, and the object of the verb. Possession of this object is predicated on the verb.

it is not illegal to smoke (or eat) banana peels, and none ever claimed it was. Thus, you initial premise "the Liberteens paint an entirely different picture. They claim that HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS are behind bars for smoking."

is just silly. Not true, never happened, and is whats known as a "straw-man argument".

Wanna try again? Please don't... that was lame.

[Calvin Locke]

FWIW, I knew a couple of guys from HS that had just turned 18 and got caught in, or I should say ON Hampton Beach, NH. Mid '70s. Came close.

The reefer madness took hold of one. He went on to law school. Then to prison. Embezzlement. Needed to pay for his cocaine madness.

[WackyKat]

Then you are incredibly ignorant.

[rb22982]

About 40,000 are incarcerated for marijuana each year, at a cost of around 23,500 per year per person. I'll provide links later. I found that out myself a couple days ago.