Marijuana worse than Murder? Our court system thinks so.?

Question

Why is it in some states you can get LIFE IN PRISON for marijuana possession, but if you MURDER SOMEONE you can get out for good behavior? Why? WTF?!!!!
Does this not scream inequity and absolutely ENRAGE you?!

Answer 1

Ok I left this same answer a little while ago in another question....

I suffered extensive spinal inuries in the line of duty (firefighter). My only course of LEGAL treatment for severe pain is taking prescription narcotics, that are highly addictive and possibly deadly. My doctor is forbidden by law to even TALK to me about marijuana- so I went to Amsterdam and found out for myself. I am currently in college and hold a GPA of 3.82 (A- average) and I smoke several times a day. I do not know where the myth of memory loss and brain damage comes from, but in a society where we take a pill for every ache, pain, and mood swing- why should marijuana be Illegal? ALmost every civillized nation in the world has determined marijuana has medical benefits and the dangers are outweighed by the benefits of the drug. Certainly there is the sterotype of the clueless stoner- but this is an image that occurs in every part of society- cluless boss, teacher, cop, etc. - WE jail one out of every 38 people in the US and have a higher incarceration rate than CHINA- actually the US has more citizens in jail than ANY nation! In 2005 a new record was set for marijuana arrests- who is the victim of this "crime"? I am tired of people running at the mouth about dangers of this or that simply because they believe what they are told without any analytical thinking on thier part. Over 50% of U.S. citizens surveyed admit they have at least tried marijuana- imagine how many the REAL number is since many will not admit to such a thing for fear of becoming the ONE out the 38 who gets arrested and have thier lives ruined. As for bus drivers and teachers getting high while supervising YOUR children- what stops them from being drunk or hopped up on caffine or spaced out on anti-depressants? Our nation needs to shift focus to holding people responsible for actions that cause danger to others, not punish us for choices we make in private that do not affect others. WAKE UP PEOPLE! if you love the US government so damn much- embrace your right to privacy as well- stop being mindless sheep herded by the words of those with hidden agendas.
Most cops would rather use thier efforts to keep us all safe from violent crime- not spend hours in an office going over paperwork and ruining somone's life because they smoke a plant! WHy do we waste such a valuable resource as law enforcement on maintaining marijuana prohibition? Marijuana is lumped into the same category as heroin by our US drug schedule- WHY? Educate yourselves- don't just follow the propaganda that you are fed!
ANd as far as ILLEGAL --- it used to be illegal to have a black man and a white man use the same bathroom... eat in the same resturant, etc... it was illegal to hire chinese, irish or italians..WOULD YOU OBEY THOSE LAWS TOO????
Check out Jury Nullification and educate yourselves!

Answer 2

Remember that each state's laws are different. Colorado's version of capital punishment may not allow that to be charged as capital murder (note that Colorado has executed only 1 person, and only 2 are on death row). Capital cases take MUCH more time, costs MUCH more money, and in some states are reserved for the worst of crimes. It's not about rich or poor. And don't judge the crime by its title -- I wouldn't be surprised if "child abuse resulting in death" could get a max of life in prison. The 15 months thing is probably a result of the ongoing investigation. When you have an admission of wrongoing (like you do in the Huston case) it's a lot easier to get going with a case. If there was no admission of abuse, but some other allegation (like the child had a massive accident, etc.) forensic tests need to be given, people need to be interviewed, evidence collected, and, perhaps, a grand jury needs to be empaneled (some states would use the grand jury for a high profile crime like this... accusing parents of killing their children is always a risky endeavor, and you don't want it to end up like the Duke Lacrosse case). So nothing is wrong with the court system... don't prejudge the name of the crime, and realize that some states don't impose the death penalty the way that Texas does (most people would say that it's the Texas system that's broken, not the Colorado system...) EDIT-- (To the guy above re: Paris Hilton... it's pretty universally accepted that if ANYONE ELSE broke her probation the way Paris did that she would NEVER get the same sentence--they'd get SOMETHING LESS! LA jails are overcrowded, and unless you're a felon, you're not staying in for long. This isn't about Paris, though, this question is about different states' application of the death penalty.)

Answer 3

In FL, the only way a person could get life in prison for marijuana possession is if it was associated with Trafficking (Very Large Amounts). Marijuana does kill. Are there some medicinal benefits for marijuana? Many think so. I doubt that most people use it for that purpose though.

I appreciate the firefighter putting his life on the line, and it is regretful that he had to go to Amsterdam for marijuana for pain medication. I believe that the reason it has not been legalized is because of those who continue to use it for a personal high.

BTW we just put a young man away for life here in FL for trafficking cocaine. His argument: "I would get less time if a murdered someone." The sad fact is that his business probably did.

Answer 4

The reason is that the US Government had a dedicated propaganda campaign for several decades to convince people that marijuana use was worse than murder.

For example, the US Official Expert on marijuana testified in court, under oath that marijuana would make your incisors grow six inches long and drip with blood. He said that, when he tried it, it turned him into a bat.

Harry Anslinger, head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, knew that the marijuana laws were unenforceable and therefore figured that the only thing he could do was to maintain a campaign of stupendous lies.

As you can see from some of the responses above, some people still believe this nonsense. There is still a huge problem with public ignorance on the subject.

You can read the history of how marijuana became illegal at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm You can read other references on the topic at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/mj_outlawed.htm

You can see some good examples of Reefer Madness articles and comic books at http://druglibrary.org/mags/reefermadness.htm

Answer 5

You really need to support that claim with evidence, it sounds like you are speaking to a particle case to which the details would have to explain it. In many if not most states while possession my even get you jail time, I have never heard of possession alone getting more than a few months to a year. Now possession with intent to distribute will get you more. And if it is possession with intent to distribute which counts as you third strike well you might be screwed.

But if the only facts are "marijuana" "possession" and "life" that does not add up anywhere.

Answer 6

Dee Dee there is an idiot. Its no harder or easier to not smoke weed than it would be to not kill someone.
I'll tell you though, the things we as a nation choose to care about absolutely boggles this guy's mind. I mean we outlaw a plant, yet let the whole country get drugged up by pharmaceuticals. We put people in jail for rape and let them out after 10 years of a 35 year sentence. We don't want anyone to say Merry Christmas, yet everything is closed that day so those who don't celebrate it can't work and have nothing to do. We don't want kids to be competitive so we quit keeping score in little league games. I mean Jesus the list goes on and on. And yet for murder, the act of taking another's life, you can get out in 5 years if you act like a good little con in prison. Its ******* ridiculous. Thanks and have a nice day.

Answer 7

REALLY?

Who the hell gets life in prison for Marijuana possession?? If you are a big time dealer then you are looking at a long time behind bars but if you just have your own stuff, then it is not that big...


.....................EDIT...........................

I have gotten some e-mails from some people telling me that you can get life in prison by getting caught with 3 joints at three different times. NO YOU CANT!! Go to the following link to see what the penalties are in Texas of all places for Marijuana.

Answer 8

I have been watching this trend for years. It is so stupid and baffling, like people in high places have a blue print with 'how to wreck America' on it. Hypocrite politicians haven't the balls to stand up and say enough is enough. No they might look soft on crime, even though most of these boomers have tried dope at some point, I mean they were roaming the campuses in the sixties. Yet government contractors are getting richer and richer building new prisons. Never should it have been allowed for prisons to be privotized. When you set up people to profit on other peoples suffering it can only lead to disaster.

Answer 9

What's worse is that the sentence for stealing a car in most states is longer than the sentences for child molesters. Just a few months ago a convicted child molester was given a sentence of 4 months probation.

Answer 10

This just shows how meesed up our priorities are, we would rather punish law abiding citizens who smoke a jouin than crooks who rape, murder, steal and make profit off of others.

America has been asleep for too long, taking sleep aids and jack daniels before bed. Just watch tv, buy beer and cigarrets and don't worry about what your gov't is doing.

Who would rather see a cancer patient in jail for growing his own medicine than a psycho who rapes and murders little kids?? Your senators and congressmen/ladies.

This is your world in which we will grow and learn to hate you.
JOIN NORML< GET ACTIVE>SPEAK UP