Like marawana it is know leagle will every one be forgiven
2007-07-10 11:03:03 · 13 answers · asked by Ron W 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No, people arrested while it was illegal broke the law. They may get a reduced sentence though.
2007-07-10 11:07:10 · answer #1 · answered by The Forgotten 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. If an action was illegal when it was committed, someone can (but often won't) be charged with that crime even if the action becomes legal.
Similarly, something that was legal at the time cannot be retroactively made illegal. Nor can the punishment for a crime be increased retroactively.
This is prohibited in Article I of the US Constitution under the ban against "ex post facto" (after the fact) laws.
2007-07-10 11:08:53 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a presumption that laws do not act retroactively. However, there is no absolute ban. This means that what you do today will not be made illegal by a law passed tomorrow. In relation to marijuana, what you are thinking of is an amnesty. And the answer is no. And as already mentioned, it is not legal to possess, grow, deal or consume, marijuana/cannabis in the UK.
2007-07-11 03:09:25 · answer #3 · answered by Kate R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It used to be the case that in the UK laws could have been made retroactive, but this is now prohibited under Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights. See here:
http://www.answers.com/topic/european-convention-on-human-rights
2007-07-10 11:09:48 · answer #4 · answered by politicsguy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are referring to ex post facto, which usually is not allowed under American law. However, if the possession of marijuana was made legal, there could be a section of the law which allows for the commutation of all sentences for crimes relating to the possession of marijuana. I do not believe that a law can be written in such a way that all previous marijuana convictions are pardoned.
2007-07-10 11:08:33 · answer #5 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Laws can only be proactive. Anything passed that tries to do anything else will be ex post facto, and strictly forbidden by Article II of the Constitution.
2007-07-10 11:09:35 · answer #6 · answered by Jeffrey V 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES!
In the UK, The New Labour Government has brought in a number of retrospective laws.
One minor example was the Airport duty which was payable even although you had fully paid for your holiday.
There has also been retrospective tax legislation.
2007-07-10 21:38:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes a law can be made retroactive in some circumstances. Anyone who says otherwise is clueless.
2007-07-10 11:10:12 · answer #8 · answered by p p 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
No laws cannot be retroactive ... its called 'ex post facto' ... you can look it up.
2007-07-10 11:17:19 · answer #9 · answered by blursd2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we would have a conflict with the statute of limitations...the law we made to legalize stealing for the rich.............
if we did, make capitol punishment retroactive.......zap the murderers in prison, save a lot of money.....
marijuana??? punks do that crap.....
2007-07-10 11:10:29 · answer #10 · answered by captainamerica 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋