RICKJOHNSON's Blog

criesbeck, you have me a little bit confused. You started your post with "I think this needs to go through!!" If it goes through the penalties will be more severe penalties for grow houses, yet your comments state that you are for tax and regulation, I think, please clarify.
Thank you have a nice day!

Marijuana Prohibition Facts
"According to estimates by Harvard University economist Jeffrey Miron, replacing marijuana prohibition with a system of taxation and regulation would save between $10 billion and $14 billion per year in reduced government spending and and increased tax revenue."

Miron, Jeffrey L., The Budgetary Implications of Marijuana. June 2005

"Every comprehensive, objective government commission that has examined the marijuana phenomenon throughout the last 100 years has recommended that adults should not be criminalized for using marijuana."

See: Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894; The Panama Canal Zone Military Investigations, 1925; The Marihuana Problem in the City of New York, 1944; An Analysis of Marijuana Policy (National Academy of Sciences), 1982.

"Fifty-five percent of Americans believe possession of small amounts of marijuana should not be treated as a criminal offense. Seventy-eight percent support making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe in order to reduce pain and suffering."

National Gallup Poll, Nov. 1 2005.

"There have been over seven million marijuana arrests in the United States since 1995, including 771,984 arrests in 2004 — more than for all violent crimes combined, and an all-time record. One person is arrested for marijuana every 41 seconds. About 89% of all marijuana arrests are for possession — not manufacture or distribution."

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports.

Criesenbeck I think you are against the law, by reading your statements, the law will increase the lengh of stay of non-violent offenders like your family if they were to be guilt of a marijuana arrest, that means even simple possession, why increase jail sentences for non-violent offenders at the expense of you and me, and other tax payers? Jail violent and sex criminals, increase their stay! They are getting released on shorter sentences than marijuana users, the rapist are being released, while the non-violent potheads are staying in jail longer and the new law will increase the jail sentence of the potheads. I would rather have some burnout hippie that might get stoned and light himself on fire next door to me, than a pervert that might try to abduct my kids. Which would you rather have? Fortunately, I have great neighbors.

criesenbeck, there is no need to apologize, this is not a spleeling bea. I hope you continue to comment, I value your opinion! Thank you, and have a great day. It will not be legalized any time soon, but medical marijuana will! It may be decriminalized shortly after, but not totally legal. I agree with your statement"THEY NEED STRONGER LAWS ON THE VIOLENCE/PEDOPHILES!!" It makes no sense to increase the jail terms for non-violent offenders and release violent criminals, if a non-violent offender relapses they hurt themselves if anyone, if a violent offender relapses they hurt the innocent! That just seems backwards to me.

I agree, with you Georgenfla, as long as it is a couple for personal consumption, not grow houses run by "Employees of Marijuana Prohibition."

I actually have a question, my sister and brother in law were arrested for growing marihuana (25 pounds seized). I know that there is a 3 year minimum sentence, but does that mean that the sentence can actually be longer than three years? I'm really worried about them, they have 3 kids under 10 years old. My mother seems to think that a minimum sentence guarantees no more than the minimum sentence, my husband disagrees... he thinks that the fact that they had young children at home will be a factor in their sentence. I personally think they should flee the country with their children and never come back! but they seem to think that it is not a very serious charge.Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!