We just had a spirited debate at the ol' courthouse about this subject: If you had to sentence a person to the local county jail for the first time possession of what you kids call "a joint", how many days, if any, do your realistically think is fair?
The current Texas law says "up to 180 days."
Consider the defendant to have no criminal record and that there is no question that he possessed the small amount of marijuana. And, if you want to get specific, he has two days credit from the time he was arrested until the time he bonded out of jail.
I'll probably put a poll up later if there's enough interest.
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5.12.2009
"He Got Weed! He Got Weed!"
We just had a spirited debate at the ol' courthouse about this subject: If you had to sentence a person to the local county jail for the first time possession of what you kids call "a joint", how many days, if any, do your realistically think is fair?
The current Texas law says "up to 180 days."
Consider the defendant to have no criminal record and that there is no question that he possessed the small amount of marijuana. And, if you want to get specific, he has two days credit from the time he was arrested until the time he bonded out of jail.
I'll probably put a poll up later if there's enough interest.
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88 comments:
180 days. Teach them a lesson the first time and maybe there won't be a second time.
I think 30 days would do the trick.
No way. A majority (by far) of Americans have possessed and smoked pot at some in their lives; to put all of them in jail for any length of time is totally impractical.
Just another antiquated law that needs updating for the current times.
Time served! Bang goes the gavel. It seems like the max ought to be reserved for someone who isn't a first time offender.
2 days, credit time served
Can I have the joint?
Just string him up.
Anybody caught with some weed that does not offer to share with the deputy or judge deserves the strictest punishment.
30 days sounds good to me.
I don't think that it should be written off just because it isn't a "bad" drug. I hear so many people say that. Well, bullcrap!! It is illegal and they should be punished so it does not happen again.
178 days of embarassing community service........not the kind of working in uncle law office.
Give him $100 to make up for the fact that the government wasted two days of his life. It's HIS life. Not the governments.
Time served. One joint get grip. That is why our jails are over crowded. It should be legal. No worse that drinking.
Time served. Individual possession of a little MJ is just not worth putting this guy in jail. Now, if he was selling - sentence him to the 180 days.
Let's see - how many days did our 2previous Presidents of the United States (that would be Clinton and Bush) get for smoking pot...they both admitted to it...How many days do our "heros" who play football, basketball, US swim team, etc. get for smoking pot....
Let's give this first timer the same.........none.
I certainly wouldn't go over the amount of sick days the poor fool has. I imagine the two days in jail wasn't the most pleasant & making him lose his job, too would just make matters worse. How 'bout one of those check yourself into jail for a few weekend things?
President Clark for President!!!
Oh wait.... President Clark for KING!!!! He's already a pres.
Seriously, dude. You have made quite the constitutional observation.
If your gonna put someone in jail for having one joint you should put someone in jail for having one beer too.
Speaking of presidents who do drugs, How about that Obama feller? And does he still smoke cigarettes? Shouldn't we be hearing a little more about that?
Considerind what the gov has done to me economically for smoking cigarettes, the weed wacko should probably be put to death.
I've got to agree with Clark on this one.
Shouldnt have to go to jail for one joint. Only in wise county
5:08 & 5:09 Beer and cigarettes are still legal. So let's make MJ legal too and penalize users who abuse it to a dangerous extent or use it where it is prohibited.
Law enforcement at most levels has simply become a giant cash register. You are being taxed mercilessly and told that it somehow has to do with "public safety". (And no, I don't care which side of the " the . goes on). ((or the ")" either))
Back to my point about tax protests. In the spirit of our founding fathers, you should all dump mass quantities of marihuana in the river in defiance of the abuse at the hands of the authority.
PS-- The creek behind my house will work for this purpose
BG, I think you may have hit the jackpot (haha) on this post. I predict this one will go over 100 comments unless everyone forgets what we're talking about.
We all know BG hits the joint a few times a week. His view is always legalize it. But you can't teach a lesson if they are being easy. Max it out and let them cr like babies.
Those hypocrites who live in glass houses should not be throwing too many stones. Someday it will be your grandkids and the verdict will be a whole lot softer.
- Bogart
I thought kids called it something besides a "joint" nowdays. I heard what it was but forgot
Many years ago (30 plus) I was arrested for cultivation of the cannabis in my home. 13 armed men (police), all Vietnam veterans broke into my house taking away a quantity of herb in excess of 2 pounds. Less than 4 ounces showed up at the DA's office. From there I was run through the wringer to the tune of several thousand dollars. I was not rehabilitated. I was not punished. I was robbed at gunpoint.
I became very cynical as concerns the motives behind the war on drugs.
I remain so
Mr. Bogart
My house is plexiglass and I never throw things when I'm stoned
But Y 5:52?
Y?
I think the 2 days was enough to scare him into maybe changing (or be smarter the next time not to be caught). Sometimes they just need time to think.
If he only had it on him, time served. He would learn to keep it at home and not carry it around.
If he was actively smoking it and driving, 180 days. Don't smoke and drive.
It will be legal in a few years because the Govt. sees Billions from it in taxes.Time served
One Joint?
Legalize the stuff. Its sad that the legal system is tied up for stuff like this. Fine him $500. Dont put that on his record. If he is a puke, he will surface again. I am not a pot smoker, nor am I a Liberal, but I think they should legalize MJ. I wonder how much it cost to keep this kid in jail for 30 days? Probably more than its worth. Let him go, fine him, dont put a felony on his record, Let him learn on his own.
I kind of agree with you Anita, BUT:
If more people smoked and drived we could lower the speed limit to 45 and no one would notice.
The state would lose a bundle on speeding tickets
How about none, because marijuana should be legal?
Non-responsive I know, but honestly...180 days for a freakin' joint? It could be the 30th time and that would be ridiculous.
Why would anyone get caught with a joint? You can just eat the damn thing and cop your buzz after the cop has buzzed off
Issue a ticket. Save tax payer money and keep the jail space for violent offenders.
it's obvious that the ones who would put the kid in jail does not and probably has never smoked pot in their life..or else they would know that pot is no way as intoxicating as booze, nor as bad healthwise as cigs. it's all politics folks and the biggest lobby against pot is the pharmacutical/drug conglomerates..they own the f'n government who insists they will override any states who think just because the voters have spoken, they know what's best..what a crock of corrupt bull-f'n -shit..thank you very much..!!
Time served is excessive but he's already done it. MJ possession just isn't our biggest problem. Now if he fails to signal a left turn, well throw him under the jail!
Legalize it. Smoking pot should be as legal as drinking.
Double Fake Jeff Spicoli
Alot of the people here that are against marijuana and think that this person should get the full punishment obviously have no experience with this "drug". I have been drunk many times. I have been high many times. I've driven while I have been drunk (obviously a stupid choice, but thankfully I got home without hurting anybody). I've driven while I have been high. Believe me, I would much rather be on the road with a bunch of stoned people than drunks. The difference is uncanny. The drunk person will be doing 200 mph while the stoned person will be doing 40 mph. The stoned driver doesn't swerve or drive dangerously. I'm not saying it can't happen, but I believe it's highly unlikely.
Don't even try to use the "gateway drug" argument. Weed doesn't make you try other drugs. You decide to try other drugs. And besides, it's nobodyelse's business what I do with my body, especially if I'm not bothering anybody else.
The thought of anyone going to jail for any amount of time for a little joint sickens me. Let him go and don't bother him again.
Ron Paul is really the only hope for us. This shouldn't even be discussed if this country was still based on the constitution. Help save the REAL America and support a constitutionalist.
But why isn't anyone talking about ME? Dammit, I told you kids to GET OFF MY LAWN!
-Fake WordKyle
I've been around both for the better part of 50 years, and I can tell you many more family problems are caused by drinking and drunks as opposed to pot smokers..think about it folks.Think of how many problems, serious problems are caused by alcohol everyday..the cost is astronomical in dollars and human suffering..these problems are not caused by pot smokers, there has never been a single case of overdosing on marjihuchi, cept when that cop called 911 a while back and reported that he and his wife were both dying from marijihuhu, turns out they were just real stoned, not dying..but it was some funny shit listining to the 911 call....what was I talking about..hate when that happens...
My vote
Community Service
I don't really know for sure how I feel about punishment for possession of one joint by a first time offender; but what I find alarmingly strange is the fact that most posters are saying let the kid go, no fine, nothing just time served. They say that because they also say MJ should be legalized.
Those same folks (or many of them) are the same ones that scream and bellyache about illegals being here and the country doing nothing about their breaking the law.
So what I'm thinking is that if one disagrees with a law, it's okay to break same and not to be punished; but if you agree with the law, then you want breakers of same to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Right?
Just sayin'....
many intellectuals including doctors and scientists believe that smoking marijuana is not harmful and has many, many medical uses.but our govt is bought and paid for by those who profit by keeping pot illegal..folks our rotten government don't even read the f'n laws they sign..don't be so f'n stupid..!
LEAGALISE IT!!!!!!!!!! IM SORRY THAT WAS MY BRAIN ON DRUGS, ILL POST AGAIN WHEN I COME DOWN
The Govt. has a pot farm in Kentucky!
WHERE IS THAT POT FARM?
problem is government and big business hasen't figgered out how to control pot..you see it is just a weed plain and simple..and will grow like johnson grass, so how in the hell can they control it..? so for that reason alone the fed. govt will keep on protecting those who cannot profit..that's what it's all about, and that's really all it's about $$$$$$$ BIG MONEY RULES..it's simple people.
You can't have any pudding if you don't eat your meat.
I STILL WANT IT!!!!!
I think time served should be enough jail time, and a fine (maybe the amount charged for MIP). Regardless of feelings, it is currently illegal.
However, if legalized, tax it and regulate it the same a tobacco and alcohol. The economy would definitely benefit from the income produced from the sales and the money NOT going out trying to stop it. Before becoming a mother, I had my share of it. I'd much rather be in a room full of stoners than a room full of drunks since I've never seen a "mean stoner" but have seen a "mean drunk".
Make him smoke it and then do community service while still high.
Sili-Alli-
How about make him smoke it and try to find your brain. That would be harder
If everone would use it a responsible manner it wouldn't be bad.But like so manny other drugs who knows when you enough.The s---grows so deep on my deer lease in kansasyou can't see the deer.All it would take is a little cross polination and you would be on the way.By the way I do not drink nor smoke anything.
What bugs me is how many posters here are not that against marijuana, yet nothing is done to get it legalized in our state...
I'd say, give him the full punishment!!!! Marijuana, only leads into more harsh drugs. I have no sympathy anymore.. I once had a sister who started with MJ and later overdosed with the hard stuff, so maybe I am biased, but hang'em high, judge. There are too many personal tragedies that are directly related to the innocent, once in a while, its a therapeatic drug. Wake up, wish all of you, easy goers, could feel the pain and have a personal tragedy of your own. June 18th, with be the 4th year of her death.. Oh, by the way, she only left 4 kids @ 36yrs of age. Hoping and praying that you will see the light for yourselves and children before its too F....., Late...
you sho got that right moma247..
Its Wise County, how we expect any less from this drug infested, scavenger community???
Time served. SHesh. It was ONE flipping joint.
9:06 - You have more experience than I but I am attuned to your argument. The claim that MJ is a gateway to other drugs is an inadequate and unsupported argument. Remember, conservatives, keep government out of our personal lives. Regulation and restrictions are permissible but outright prohibition seems unwarranted and possibly unconstitutional.
moma247, I totally agree with you! I would much rather deal with pot head's than drunk a$$es!
Pot head's chill n drunk's get stupid!
Hugs. Not Drugs.
Double Fake Dead Nancy Reagan
10:36 PM,
Well "Dan the man" all my family and friends in wise county are productive members of society ..and I have a lot of friends and a big family...tell us about your family and friends..sounds like the only infestation we have is mental giants such as yourself!
"all you zombies show your faces, all you people in the street. All you sitting in high places. The peace is gonna fall on you.
-hooter
WOW, alot of talk about MJ. I say send him on his way, study has shown no evidence that mj would lead to stronger drugs but being stupid might MJ was ment for human consumption in the all natural herbal form maybe this person was having a moment and needed to relax or just needed to celebrate the end of finals or he has a medical condition he is working on ya never know anyway ave a great hoot
Two extra days in the holding tank. Let him/her see the rotation of the justice system doors.
Just write him a ticket for possession of paraphernalia and send him on his way. Ooops I forgot this is Wise County not the big city
i have an idea based on my own experience. i quit pot in the early 80's because i didnt like the trashy people and places i had to go to get it. so maybe if it was legal people would just go to the store and buy it, and not even be exposed to the crack and meth and the shit that is really killing people.
BG, what is the cost to the taxpayer for each day an individual is incarcerated?
Man, you uptight people should just smoke a bowl and we'd all be friends and you'd be more mellow. Maybe watch Half Baked or something.
Have you ever broke the law ON WEED?!?
Re Elect Clark for President. Some of these people are so ridiculous they need to be put in jail for thinking the way they do. Makes me just want to go roll a fattie and inhale till I puke, or get hungry, whichever comes first.
I am a law enforcement officer. I think MJ should either be made a class c (ticket) only or be made legal. In 15 years on patrol, i have never arrested anyone for intoxication manslaughter when they had been smoking weed. Its less addictive than alcohol. Legalize it. If it truly is about making money, the government could possibly make more money off taxing the sale of weed.
All hail Prez Clark!!! If it has to be illegal give him a ticket...but really it shouldn't be illegal...it seems to me it's the already legal "drugs" that are the problem
938 obviously you, more than most folks have had many 1'st hand accounts of both pot and booze. I appreciate your honesty and the fact you would post this, it speaks volumes..
I'm getting in late on this, but that's why I like Alaska...pot's legal there! You can smoke it in the privacy of your own home just like alcohol. Alaska is awesome because Big Bro doesn't have so much control over the non-conformists up there. It's a wonderful place and makes much more sense than the fundamental conservatives down in the Bible belt!
How many people (especially LEOs) have had an encounter with an belligerent drunk? How many belligerent stoners have you had encounters with?
Exactly.
Legalize it!
MJ relieves tension from glucoma, settles cancer patient stomachs so they can eat and recently found to help alztimers. It is natural as the above said.
Get to work legalizing it.
Yeah for the best CA I ever knew,
STEPHEN HALE.
HE WAS IN THE MILITARY AND DID INHALE.
9:38am lAW ENFORCEMENT
You deserve to be an officer, finally the truth! Please write your legislature in Texas, even the white house. You need to be paid more and I think the taxes from this should go to law enforcement. Get the real bad dudes, rapist, burglary, assault, dope cookers, child abuse.
PS It's not just kids that smoke the stuff, been happening since the 60's. There great, great, grandkids.
I didn't inhale because I was getting my joint rolled..who am I..?
conservatives like the weed too!
it might surprise people just how many of those against the legalization of marijuana that are smoking up behind closed doors...it's more about their public image than their personal preferences....
There was a story once about a hick town that had a pot smoker that just would not give it up. Must have been a liberal county, cause he did not get the chair. He was a nice fellow, and law enforcement, all three of them, liked the guy. They told him that if he insisted on smoking pot stay out of the public area and no driving. He said just come to the police station and smoke, sleep it off in a cell, then go home. The only problem was that when this guy would get high, he would wander around talking to everybody in the place to the point of boredom. Finally the head cop told him: "Either sit, or get off the pot."
921 that's just dumb man..totally F'n STUPID ! ear man..
9:21, that was such a buzz kill.
I must agree with Pres. Clark, there are many medical benefits.. it is a real shame that our goverment would not make it legal and let doctors make the decisions on if we need it or not. Imagine something natural replacing all the pills they pass out??
824 they aren't passing those pills out for free..get it, there's billions of dollars involved here. pot would help many people much more than all those pills, but no money for the rotten bastards who sell all those pills. i know instead of a tea party, lets have a pot party !
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