He should, but that is tens of thousands more without jobs in an already screwed up economy.

Also the prison industry might not like that.

Also the prison industry might not like that.

The prison industry can go fuck itself.

What an appalling state if affairs that we live in, that such a thing as an entire industry built to profit from human imprisonment is allowed to exist.

I hope we take the reigns from these useless fucks before they drive us into the ground.

it'll probably be more like shower rape itself

It can and it should, but it won't!

More like morality<>money. Which do you think a career politician will choose?

We will the truth about Obama in his last month of office, and not a moment sooner.

We've been told the truth about him from day 1 - just look at what he's done since he's been in office. Judge him by his actions (or lack thereof), it isn't that difficult.

Oh I knew exactly what he was when I voted for him both in 2008 and 2012. Just another Democrat. He made that loud and clear on his FISA (think this is the correct acronym) vote in 2008. The main reasoning behind that vote is that I'm in a swing state FL and voted 3rd party in 2000 and have seen the bullshit that happens when a voting block is split.

Thanks for all the hope and change. In reality, you're vote means nothing John Snow, you bastard

just cuz this have 5 upvotes 1 downvote doesnt mean its right, this is wrong

lol, nice writing style. everything you said in here is bs,

Legalizing drugs would also produce a high volume of jobs producing, anaylizing, regulating, delivering, selling, and marketing the drugs.

The gangbangers and cartel members could be given amnesty for soft crimes and we can bring them into the fold so they can help us produce and supply our legal drug market.

Most people would use these drugs responsibly with some education and police would respond to abuse and violence still. But money and life situations cause the violence more than the drugs do.

This is true.

Could be away for him to go out looking like a not so bad guy.

Not to mention all the gangs losing power, they would be reduced to extortion and kidnapping. I personally think the world we be a safer place if drugs were decriminalized and regulated. I think drug addiction should be looked at as a disease rather than a crime. I personally don't do drugs, but have seen lives ruined because of it both legally and socially.

So where are all these jobs going to come from for all these freed people?

It goes both ways. Pardon the inmates, jobless market widens. However, as more inmates come out, there is a higher chance of businesses starting up. Furthering this, the prison system costs a political arm and a leg due to overcrowding. The potential to solve two problems with one solution should override any disadvantages.

The US has the largest private prison system and they work on quotas, the more full the better for them. They would be raging if this happened.

Only 10% of the prisons in the USA are privately run.

Is that all? I'd heard before it was around one third. This was from an unverified source however.

It's around or under 10%. However, many of the non-privately run prisons use private companies for all of their services. Food, laundry, etc etc.

Well, it was a very few number in the 1980s and it's grown a lot since then, but you're still talking about 120 - 130,000 prisoners out of the 2.3 million total. So they're not even a proportionate number of prisoners either.

But there would be an increase in the crime rate, so that would benefit the police-industrial-complex.

Why would there be an increase in crime for letting non-violent pot users out of jail? We aren't talking about releasing pot users that killed somebody in the middle of a giant pot deal gone wrong. That person would still be in jail for murder and have their pot conviction overturned.

Well, there's recidivism rates. But I guess you're right that they're less likely to re-offend because cannabis won't be illegal. Though, American prisons make criminals out of decent men.

Well, if you asked Nancy Grace the violent crime rate would skyrocket with all those pot users were released. She said something along the lines of them murdering and raping, killing entire families. Really??? The only thing pothead want to murder and rape is a bag of Nutter Butters and Doritos, bathe themselves in remains of a 12 pack of Mountain Dew. She's a fucking moron. Someone get this idiot of the air...

She's a paid fear-mongerer and a horrible human being, the kind that prevents people from improving their lives by always holding the past against them.

Who'd make the license plates?!

Well as a person from Illinois, I would say the politicians can make them.

China?

We won't release you from prison because you will have no job and become dependent on welfare. We can't have that so sorry xoxo

exactly. I hear the prison industry has a bigger lobby than the non-violent drug offenders.

Prison system is no concern,

They will replace potheads with hotheads by the middle of spring.

Came here to say this. Yep, prison business would take a hit and they would not like it!

How the fuck is this a conspiracy? Like really?

Did you ever consider that maybe in not doing this he is respecting the legislative system and not just bulldozing through the house?

Does the president even have authority to pardon someone for crimes convicted in the state courts? I thought he could only pardon federal criminals. Most pot charges are state/local unless your really ambitious.

Pop prohibition is a federal law. So... yes?

There are 48 states that have criminal pot laws on the books.

Wouldn't it have to be a federal charge though, many people are in because of state laws and charges, not federal.

Lawyer here. Yes. The president can only pardon federal crimes. Governors can pardon state crimes. Most of these cases are going to be state crimes unless the offenders crossed state lines with themselves, their money, or their communications.

Dude, as you get older you'll see how exactly opposite to hellish living in the states is. There are unjust laws, but this isn't the 'evil empire.' As far as the law being unjust, standing up against unjust laws or people means taking the beating or prison term, for the good of all, or just your own conscience. When you break a law and get caught, you get punished. That just the way it is.

They did in deed break the law?

dude. they broke the law. i agree that they should be pardoned in the states where marijuana is now legal, and actually if you want this to happen you should start telling people to get in touch with the governors of CO and WA.

but you have to understand that just because a law is changed/repealed, that doesn't automatically erase the fact that it was a crime when it was committed.

Does it matter if the Law is Moral, or Just? People think that following the law is a good idea. People don't realize that those who are writing the laws have no interest in right, wrong, or moral. They write laws for their benefit. Hitler seized power in Germany Legally.

They outlaw drugs, so the police get big bucks to fight the "war on drugs", While the politicians are creating tougher mandatory punishments, they are also sending guns and money to the cartels, importing cocaine, heroine, and other oppiates through CIA, DEA, ATF, while the cartels are laundering their money through the big banks, as the big banks keep buying off politicians.

Who wrote the law? Is it a moral law? Should it have ever been written in the first place? Who benefited from the law being written?

These are not irrelevant questions. You can't just make the blanket statement of "it's the law" for everything when some (many?) of the laws on the books today are complete and utter bullshit written by and for the 1%.

they kind of are irrelevant questions at this point. so many of our laws are written for unjust, corrupt reasons. hell, here in texas we just amended our fucking state constitution to keep one company from leaving the state.

i'm not saying that they shouldn't be pardoned. if it's no longer a crime, there's no reason to be doing the time. that makes sense. i'm saying that it will never happen, at least not on a large scale, because of the message it would send about our judicial system. it won't be allowed.

If you think those questions are irrelevant then you've given up hope. I haven't.

I don't accept the mindset of "things will never change so live with it". Fuck that.

Half the reason we have so many bullshit laws like this in the first place is that a large percentage of the population has the same mindset as you. A "law" isn't made valid just by virtue of it being written down.

more power to you. have fun being angry and disgusted and inevitably disappointed.

nowhere did i say that things would never change, so you should just live with it.

actually, i'm the only person who provided the correct information to get people released in the states where it's no longer a crime. this is what's called working with the system, instead of this pipe dream of obama somehow freeing every drug offender in america. by all means, keep waiting for that day.

A "law" isn't made valid just by virtue of it being written down.

tell that to the dudes with guns who enforce the laws.

nowhere did i say that things would never change, so you should just live with it.

Then what are you saying? You're telling me I'm wrong for being angry and disgusted with the legal system, that I'll wind up disappointed, that drug offenders being freed is a pipe dream, that I'd be crazy to wait for "that day", and that we can't change anything because there are "dudes with guns who enforce the laws".

How is that not you saying that things will never change, so just live with it? Because that's exactly what it sounds like to me.

Edit: It seems like we both agree that the system that's in place is bullshit. The difference is that you don't seem to have any hope that things can improve in the future whereas I do. I think we, ultimately, are on the same side.

yeah, the system as it is is bullshit. but demanding that the president go over the heads of the states [which he would never do because it's political fucking suicide and he's a little smarter than that] and release thousands of prisoners into a shitty job market at once? really? you will be inevitably disappointed if that's the kind of shit you want to happen overnight. it doesn't work that way.

baby steps. seriously. contact the governors in CO and WA. contact the state reps. make enough of a stink that they have to at least talk about it. i'm not telling you it'll never happen, i'm trying to tell you how to get the ball rolling.

Sorry but that goes against our governments alternative methods of population control.

And forced labor. And all the money made off keeping people in prison by corporations

How the fuck would you guys get all your legal slave labor without the stoners, hippies, and other peaceful peoples when they're released.

Pay em with Federal Reserve Notes like everyone else.

I like the idea of that, freeing those unjustly jailed. I love the idea of freedom for all. But, I want to play devils advocate for just a second. Imagine, across all states that the Feds decide to pardon all minor marijuana offenders, assume it is less than 1 oz of possession and have no intent to distribute. Lets put the number at ~100,000 (i think it is a fair number, maybe even low. Here is a great article about that )

So now we have 100k people with no jobs, some with no place to live, no families that they can turn to, or with families that now have to share the burden of providing for someone what has been out of the already depleted job market, sometimes for as long as 10 years.

Lets say these guys are all fully pardoned and convictions removed, ergo they are free and can vote and don't need to answer yes to that pesky felony conviction question of the application. What will they tell the employers about the 3-5 year gap in their employment history? While they are now free, they could be in a worse position...free without means to support. Where as before they got 3 hots and a cot, some of them may not even get that.

I have been in jail before, and I do not wish it upon anyone, so i am not saying this with a light heart.

Well to be fair, anyone in jail for a simple possession level conviction will not be there for decades. These guys will be on the streets pretty soon anyway, and as you mentioned, with all the limitations that "he's been in jail" comes with.

The guys who were trafficking pounds and upwards of the stuff are typically guilty of other things -- even if they were 100% nonviolent, they're still guilty of tax evasion. Perhaps the possession component of the sentence could be rescinded, but it would be a hard sell to pardon big time tax evasion.

Your right about the simple possession, and I don't know where I can get the source info, but there are some offenders that are some small amount long servers, but probably less than the 100K I posted earlier. I never thought about the tax evasion angle, but if it is possession and not selling/distribution, then I don't see how than can make a case concerning evasion.

Question. Have these "criminals" been exonerated in Colorado?

A handful were in WA state, but iirc only those with pending cases. Imagine being convicted of something weed related a few days before they legalized it? That had to SUCK

I don't think the states can release prisoners convicted of federal crimes.

That's stupid. How would you feel rotting away, knowing it is legal now.

Did you down vote as you attack me for repeating what is a fact? I didn't write the laws.

I did not down vote you. I asked you a question and you gave a legitimate answer. I said "that's stupid" as in that law is stupid. And I said "How would you feel" as in how shitty would this situation be. Sorry I understand sometimes intent is hard to portray over text.

Yes, and while I prefer comment comments for political discussions, it is a learned technique to make your point and not appear to attack.

Thank you for responding, I do understand, do you see how your comment looks like misapplied attack.

Reading back it does look like I'm attacking. No I was happy to hear an answer even though I do not agree with the legal ruling

I agree, the push must continue from the states and the people. The, lock 'em up for ever, crowd has to be overwhelmed.

Tell your elected congress people, tell both state and federal level.

U.S. Senators: www.senate.gov

U. S. Rep. www.house.gov

Tell the President you back the move to legalization: www.whitehouse.gov, and tell him thank you for talking about it and keeping the topic viable part of the dialog. This might be the first time a President has indicated the possibility of legalization.

For your individual states, all have a .gov site that usually looks like.

www.ca.gov, for California or www.ia.gov for Iowa, etc. if not look up your governor, there will probably at least one link in a search result.

I'm all for the cause, unfortunately I don't think my Canadian opinion matters to them. Hopefully people read this and can use your information properly.

It is pretty bad, some are too paranoid to contact their legislators, an attitude carefully cultivated by some groups. Silence is consent.

I want to add, my love of the silence of comment threads to discuss hot topics, has forced me to ask about intent, before I simply make a back-slam.

It'll never happen. Police unions and prison lobbyists have too much influence on the government.

A pardon will never happen. Prisons are big business. I wouldn't be surprised if these private prisons lobby for Marshall law and long sentences (if it is not happening already).

Who gives a shit? Why are you falling for the distraction?

Call your reps about the TPP!

That would be nice, but first the laws have to be changed and there are literally thousands of them. It will take time.

Generally, what is minor? Under an ounce?

Yes, and you do need permits to do any of those things.

I doubt for-profit businesses* would like this.

But fuck for-profit prisons (and most prisons in general).

*edit: prisons.

10,000 would go free...who were highly influenced by violent criminals, without jobs....

Yeah...it needs to be a slow release...

Into sheltered housing, with education and job training and culture conditioning. It is not going to cost more than keep them in the prisons.

Yeah...our government will never do that. Way too much extra work.

Even my idea, is unrealistic. If it got decriminalized, they'd just be let go immediately all at once or not at all because it's cheaper in the short-term, or politically profitable in the short term.

Releasing everyone at once with no safety net would probably satisfy their prediction for chaos. If someone has a 5 year sentence and has served 2 years, that same money it costs for incarnation, the remaining 3 yrs. could pay for housing/education/vocational training for at least 1 year each, it would probably costs less.

I think he has to pardon one person at a time.

Actually I'm pretty sure the president can do whatever he wants within his branch.

And the first pardoned one that kills someone will be laid right at his feet. Not real bright.

Maintaining reverence to law is of utmost necessity to the system. The innocuous qualities of the plant in question would not subvert the transgression of the law. Whether or not those imprisoned had done any harm to any persons they still caused harm to the system by breaking the law. While you may view their release as a triumph of justice, the system would view it as admitting fault in its process which it cannot do. They are in prison not because the predication of the law is true or in error but because of their disobedience to the system itself.

Why couldn't it admit it was at fault? It's not like people respect the system as it is. People do what they are going to do. All the system does is make them try not to get caught.

It is true that people will do what they will do. In many cases what people pursue is their own happiness and relief from stress. These activities in no sane system would be considered as crimes, no doubt, as they cause no material harm to another person or property. It is the nature of authoritarianism to maintain its status of superiority based on a façade of superior attributes in all respects. The system must maintain a posture of infallibility and credulity for otherwise its right to be in authority is challenged. Though fallibility is intrinsic to human nature, authoritarian systems comprised of humans still strive to maintain it as they view the system of their collective efforts as somehow a separate and superior entity free of their individual faults. It will encroach progressively into all aspects of everyone's lives until it manifests its own self-destruction. Any system that is not sustainable will ultimately collapse. Until that point it will push forward without relent.

Yeah, and then some of those guys would go on to commit murder and hand the Republicans a talking point for the next election. That is what he should do.....

Just replace all those inmates with randomly selected individuals with "undeniable" incriminating evidence from 'PRISM' that the public can't know about.

Why is this in /r/conspiracy, exactly?

Why are you? Surely it isn't just to post pointless comments like this..?

Which comment is more pointless: The one asking why a joke (or whatever) belongs in /r/conspiracy, or the one asking why somebody is questioning whether that post belongs?

Seriously though, if I posted something similar, you'd be just as entitled as I am to ask passers-by, OP, and others on this sub why this belongs here and not in /r/politics or /r/jokes or wherever else. Maybe there's a conspiracy as to why Obama doesn't pardon people in jail for minor cannabis possession? I don't know. That's why I asked.

It's having a go at Obama, so...

While I do agree with this a thought occurred to me that provides the only legitimate reason i can see for keeping them at least to a certain reasonable minimum sentence assuming their criminal record will be erased upon release. The offenders are in jail for breaking the law, while the law may now have been changed, the fact remains that they broke the law of the time. Objectively (and I can't stress that enough) releasing people immediately sends the message that if you feel a law today might not be a law tomorrow, you can break that law expecting to be released as soon as it is revoked. This is something that can potentially cause a lot of problems as people may see it as an excuse to break any law they feel could be overturned, the prediction of what law may be overturned being subject to the individuals own perception. I understand this is a hideous and unjust law that never should have existed, and ridiculous sentences should definitely be cut right down, but to instantly release everybody incarcerated for it may be interpreted, by some, as an excuse to break any law they want. While I do feel that it is a citizen's responsibility to break unjust laws, we must be very careful how we do this, given the vast divide between what the blind majority and the awake minority feels is unjust, potential chaos could ensue. Personally, I feel current possession convictions could* be reduced to a period of say 6 months (rough number for arguments sake) should the convict have already served it, they should be released (in cases of multiple years served, compensation should be awarded), if not, they should complete the 6 months and be absolved of any criminal record upon release. I'm all for legalisation and drastically reduced Government regulations, but we must be careful of the implications that disregard for the law may bring about upon a public not accustomed to freedom, so thirsty for it in fact that they may run wild initially. An admittedly heavy example would be the rescued Jews in concentration camps that the allies free'd that had to be carefully fed back to health as they were so malnourished they would want to eat an amount that was in fact unhealthy given their weakened condition, food rations were carefully distributed for their own good, under the supervision of medical professionals. Personally though I still do feel they should be released, but without reasonable consideration to both sides of any argument, we could not say we have made a reasonable judgement. Thoughts? (edit marked * 'should' - 'could' illustrating an idea as opposed to my own position mentioned at the end)

Thoughts? Is would be a pretty darn good example that what counts ain't the law but the prospect and well-being of the citizens.

releasing people immediately sends the message that if you feel a law today might not be a law tomorrow, you can break that law expecting to be released as soon as it is revoked Why should this be a wrong message? If you feel that a law is unjust and anticipate that the law will be overturned it should be you damn right to break the law - if it won't be overturned: bad luck.

For the sake of your concentration camp victims (btw.: jews were only a part of the victims of concentration camps): If someone broke the law in the 3rd Reich and was sent to a KZ would it have been right to keep him there, even if the law was unjust? A few thousand members of Jehovah's Witnesses died in the 3rd Reich for their unwillingness to conscript in the Wehrmacht.

Laws change and if we come to the conclusion that the ban of marihuana was unjust we should free the people convicted due to this law. Starting in the states where Cannabis is legal and giving it some time will work out fine..

It was just an example to illustrate how deprivation of something can lead to unhealthy over consumption when it is suddenly in abundance, the transition must be eased. Nothing else from that situation was intended to supplement my point. I suspect you may have skimmed through my post in frustration under the premise that I was saying something I wasn't.

yeah itd be nice if he could refund the 600+ dollars i had to spend on drug counseling and Diversion program in MD because i got caught with some pot

Then they would lose all that mandatory labour power!

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/lists/top-10-marijuana-myths-and-facts-20120822/myth-prisons-are-full-of-people-in-for-marijuana-possession-19691231

Myth: Prisons are full of people in for marijuana possession

Fact: About 750,000 people are arrested every year for marijuana offenses in the U.S. There's a lot of variation across states in what happens next. Not all arrests lead to prosecutions, and relatively few people prosecuted and convicted of simple possession end up in jail. Most are fined or are placed into community supervision. About 40,000 inmates of state and federal prison have a current conviction involving marijuana, and about half of them are in for marijuana offenses alone; most of these were involved in distribution. Less than one percent are in for possession alone.

Source: Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know

That would solve our over-population problem... but what if some of them have other charges? Or violent charges along with the marijuana charge?

Then they'll obviously stay put...duh!

the prisons would lose too much money and unemployment would go way up...

Im sure inmates can call up thier lawyers for appeals. it will take some time but the gov wont simply open the doors and let them all out at once.

How many people are actually in prison for possession of small amounts of weed and nothing else? I don't know so I'll be glad to see proof, but I have a feeling the number is really low, certainly I'd be shocked if it's really "tens of thousands".

I am assuming by "minor marijuana possession" you mean personal use amount, not selling and no other crime attached to it. If you meant something else then, never mind.

Unfortunately we have "sentencing enhancing," game of multiple charges, possession, possession for sale, (if over an ounce), public intoxication, resisting arrest, (can be added to any charge), I have a homeless friend who was re-arrested and jailed for being homeless while on parole, when there was no housing/job available. So many laws to be broken.

Let them go. Put them to work building eco-homes in the sticks, or organic farms. Put the to work farming pot!

Oh snap! That is you. Well, I guess since we met on the road, I should kill you! Have at you! Staff attack!

I hope all the weed stuff isn't a distraction from the wet noodle "NSA reforms" or the new Iran bill. But yes Hemp would be great to start cultivating. You can run cars on hemp oil, I hear.

It's a hard one.

1. Some of those people were criminalized for violent drug-smuggling on behalf of the cartels who launder billions of USD through US banks.

2. Some others were criminalized for peacefully growing and selling marijuana locally that competes against the cartels whom launder billions of USD through US banks.

It's a complex issue.

The president only has pardon power over violations of federal law.

Most marijuana possession cases would be prosecuted under state law.

Yeah right. Private prisons need people to keep funded.

Do you know the percentage of private prisons in the US?

I notice the big silence from all the conservative organizations on this topic, legalizing marijuana, decriminalization all drug use.

Compare that to the news and backing legal gun ownership receives from the conservative media.

Socially conservative organizations are for the prohibition of marijuana. They are not silent on this subject at all.

You might be wrong, since libertarianism is the most conservative on political and economic issues, and some libertarians are using legalization of marijuana as a hook to attract new members and voters.

You will notice the word "socially". Social conservatives and libertarians see eye to eye on almost nothing (They both dislike Obama quite a bit).

Ahhhhhhhhhhhdamn that was close, you sneak!

It depends to the degree they offended the law, even though I agree that marijuana for recreational use should be legal I don't think that someone who got caught with a hundred pounds of pot or something should be pardoned. Breaking the law to that degree is excessive and unnaceptable even if it is just a plant. Plus, I don't think you can get really far in the drug market even as I said before it is "just a plant" by being a stand up sweethearted guy necessarily. The fact is in a lot of cases you really can just get a job..

The President can only pardon those convicted of federal crimes, not state. That law would have to change first, and that's not happening. This is why several individuals up for the death penalty could not be pardoned, even when their guilt was in doubt. (I do agree with the idea, but not going to happen.)

Agreed. Cannabis is the world's best hope for understanding our planet and the world better in the coming years. There are 421 different cannabinoids and a large number of combinations of these cannabinoids are so useful. Some of them turn off hunger. Some of them kill cancer. Some of them stop panic attacks.

As science progresses and we learn to use this plant in full we will start to really make a dent in our massive health and consciousness issues.

Now if we can just get Obama to stop importing cocaine and poisoning the world with Monsanto and BP we can make some change.

Obama did not really mean it. Whenever a person of power says something that makes you feel good there is a good chance you are being manipulated.

Are you not concerned with CCA's shareholders? They're people, too, my friend.

Money.

[deleted]

I would like to see the statistics on these tens of thousands of people who are in prison for minor possession of a joint, and this is the only reason they were jailed.

I believe you'll find that it is a much smaller number than what you think it is. Possession of small amounts of marijuana (with no reason to be declared as intent to sell) is not something that is typically punished with lengthy prison sentences. I believe you are probably considering more of the instances where they ended up imprisoned with a three strike rule or some other such rule - where a multitude of minor offenses eventually leads to a larger sentence.

The bottom line is that the vast majority of our prisoners are in jail for minor, non-violent drug offenses (in most cases weed). That is immoral, unjust, and insane any way you slice it - if you wanna go on rationalizing it to yourself for whatever reason, be my guest. Just don't expect me to agree with you.

Source? Beyond your opinion or beliefs?

[deleted]

American prisons are hardly harsh or inhumane. Some inmates live better on the inside than they ever could on the outside. Maybe you're watching too many movies. You seem to be more worried about these prisoner's "precious lives being wrongfully stolen" than they are. Trust me, most of these people aren't precious and nothing was stolen.

These are criminals, plain and simple. They broke the law. Is it a stupid law? Maybe, but it's SO incredibly rare that someone gets thrown in jail for a small marijuana charge.. the people in jail for marijuana-related crimes have obviously either done something else on top of it or they've been caught distributing a large amount.

This whole post is ridiculous. It's never going to happen, it doesn't matter if Obama should or shouldn't do it. I personally don't understand why he should. I'm a pot smoker and an advocate for legalization but the proposition is insane for so many reasons.

Maybe, but it's SO incredibly rare that someone gets thrown in jail for a small marijuana charge..

If you're gonna spout off nonsense like you did in this comment, you should at least educate yourself. It isn't even a little rare let alone "SO incredibly".

People don't get jail time for a small marijuana charge. They get a fine, they get some kind of rehab program, they do community service, there's nobody rotting in prison for having a gram of weed that doesn't also have a number of other charges.

People don't get jail time for a small marijuana charge.

Dude, that isn't true.

there's nobody rotting in prison for having a gram of weed that doesn't also have a number of other charges.

Again, not true in all cases. Stop speaking in absolutes. Also, what are these "other charges" you're talking about that "they" were supposedly all charged with? Are those laws equally unjust and immoral?

I've never heard of somebody going to jail for having a small amount of pot unless they were committing other crimes, wanted for other crimes, were on probation or parole, stuff like that.

I'd be super interested in seeing an example of someone who was sent to prison for no other crime but possession.

[deleted]

Your lack of compassion is disgusting. Also the economy is a poor excuse to justify taking a chunk of someones life from them.

If they are in prison, I'd like to think they did something more than have a few joints worth of pot. Simple possession typically ends with probation or fines.

That's what they want you to think. It's not always true though and one person locked in a cage for smoking a plant is too many.

[deleted]

Locking people up for disagreeing with you?

Sounds like you would like to be a totalitarian in charge of other people.

That isn't what he was saying and you know it.

You're right. He was just being childish.

If they are in prison, I'd like to think they did something more than have a few joints worth of pot.

Maybe you would like to think that but that, unfortunately, doesn't make it any more true.

Listen to what you're saying right now.

"Yeah the law is completely unjust but, whelp, the law's the law! Gotta follow it no matter how stupid and unethical it is! Oh and our economy is also kinda struggling right now so fuck those people who are imprisoned unjustly."

Have some empathy - use your brain.

That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

This. Major amnesty to all minor drug-related offenses.

While of course for this to happen, the federal government would have to (long-due) de-criminilize drug possession (for personal use) and consumption, even if solely for marijuana, and apply it retroactively.

But ... how then can states manage "minimum occupancy rates" or "lock-up quotas" for private prisons ?.

[deleted]

If tens of thousands of humans are suffering needlessly, what would you call it?

Whoa... hold up there,.... you just can't go releasing these potheads out into the wild all willy nilly... what if they get our daughters hooked on pot and then rape them? Do you want pothead babies running around all over the country? They'll get us all hooked on pot and then the Chinese will invade and use us all as their personal sex slaves.

And another thing.... if they let all these potheads out of jail, do you realize how the demand for pot will skyrocket and maybe it'll even create a shortage? What will decent folks do then with pot in short supply and the price going even higher?

Unless you want thousands of pothead babies and to be some guy named Chin Loo's sex slave, I say leave 'em in. leave 'em all in. Pot is already too high.

why is this upvoted?

really? is it not obvious that this is a shill post? and yet look how high this is

The average weed offender in jail hasn't just been hassled "for a joint". They've been repeat offenders who show addictive behavior, rather than responsible recreational use. I do believe in an individual's right to cultivate. I don't believe in drug dealing that perpetuates violence or funds for other "harder" drugs. Regardless of your feelings about fines or jail time, a lot of these "offenders" should have just abided by the law. You're not a "political prisoner" if you skip court or failed to pay a fine, you're a dumbass.

I disagree with you here. I think you'd be surprised how many non-violent, minor drug crimes have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

It is criminal, immoral, and unjust, especially when you consider that one of the main reasons most of the drugs are even on the streets in the first place is because our lovely government literally funds (runs?) and arms drug cartels around the world.

theres too much $ lost if you'd legalize cannabis/hemp

theres no way this is happening federally

disagree with what its truth

why does john mccain say out of the blue, hey maybe we should, and now obama. what next your going to listen to rogers and feinstein?

protip; u dont know even know rogers is?

Where is the money lost? And if you say there's money lost, spending less tax dollars for the DEA etc might help, wouldn't you agree.

just imagine how much $$ happens within the DEA related to cannabis? its just, look at the front page of politics and news, covered with this news. just a distraction

That's why they go after the people who grow pot rather than make meth. Pot heads are easier to catch and don't get outrageously combative if arrested. Where as meth heads are dangerous, will booby-trap their home, and have been up for a minimum of 3 days so they're already hallucinating.

Because they deliberately broke a law, and you have to have the line somewhere

But the law is not just.

Yes, blindly follow the rich men in punishing poor people for things they do themselves.

Yeah but look how high we could be

dude. they broke the law. i agree that they should be pardoned in the states where marijuana is now legal, and actually if you want this to happen you should start telling people to get in touch with the governors of CO and WA.

but you have to understand that just because a law is changed/repealed, that doesn't automatically erase the fact that it was a crime when it was committed.

They did in deed break the law?

It's having a go at Obama, so...

That's why they go after the people who grow pot rather than make meth. Pot heads are easier to catch and don't get outrageously combative if arrested. Where as meth heads are dangerous, will booby-trap their home, and have been up for a minimum of 3 days so they're already hallucinating.

Why are you? Surely it isn't just to post pointless comments like this..?

Dude, as you get older you'll see how exactly opposite to hellish living in the states is. There are unjust laws, but this isn't the 'evil empire.' As far as the law being unjust, standing up against unjust laws or people means taking the beating or prison term, for the good of all, or just your own conscience. When you break a law and get caught, you get punished. That just the way it is.

Socially conservative organizations are for the prohibition of marijuana. They are not silent on this subject at all.

yeah, the system as it is is bullshit. but demanding that the president go over the heads of the states [which he would never do because it's political fucking suicide and he's a little smarter than that] and release thousands of prisoners into a shitty job market at once? really? you will be inevitably disappointed if that's the kind of shit you want to happen overnight. it doesn't work that way.

baby steps. seriously. contact the governors in CO and WA. contact the state reps. make enough of a stink that they have to at least talk about it. i'm not telling you it'll never happen, i'm trying to tell you how to get the ball rolling.