Getting Busted for Pot Can Cost Your Right to Vote...and more

RolandTD20Kdrummer

"By Silja J.A. Talvi, In These Times. Posted July 31, 2007.

Once you've been arrested for the harsh anti-marijuana laws on the books, you can be denied everything from food stamps to voting rights to the right to adopt a child."

This is interesting...

http://www.alternet.org/rights/58346/

hsewif

In IL, it's a felony when you're busted with 30Grams or more.

That's a lot of pot.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

hsewif wrote:

In IL, it's a felony when you're busted with 30Grams or more.

That's a lot of pot.

30 grams. That's like getting busted with just over a pack of cigarettes worth (approx 30 cigarettes)

hippiemom

It's beyond ridiculous that we put people in prison for marijuana. What a waste.

hsewif

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

30 grams. That's like getting busted with just over a pack of cigarettes worth (approx 30 cigarettes)

It must be more than 30 cigs... I'm not an expert, though. I'm trying to imagine how many cigs a quarter would roll... rolling as thick as cigs is a waste, anyway. Are you saying a gram per joint? 30 grams=30 cig-sized joints? That's too much!

How could the Average Joe get busted with that much, anyway? Driving (speeding?) around with it in your car? If you're dumb enough to do that, you deserve a felony.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

I've been reading some arguments that it's a privilege to adopt, and I would have to agree, and add that so should voting be, however with the pot thing it borders along the lines of discrimination. Why not make alcohol illegal? Why IS alcohol legal and pot is not? Who made this stupid law and why is it upheld?
Why are cigarettes legal then?

It such a ridiculous double standard.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

hsewif wrote:

It must be more than 30 cigs... I'm not an expert, though. I'm trying to imagine how many cigs a quarter would roll... rolling as thick as cigs is a waste, anyway. Are you saying a gram per joint? 30 grams=30 cig-sized joints? That's too much!

How could the Average Joe get busted with that much, anyway? Driving (speeding?) around with it in your car? If you're dumb enough to do that, you deserve a felony.

I believe a king size cig is approx 1.2 grams. Subtract the filter, and weight for weight it's pretty close.

Some medical MJ patients can smoke around a quarter or about 5 - 7 grams a day fairly easily. If it was legal one wouldn't/shouldn't be concerned about waste all that much. This is the proper comparison mentality for perspective.

Also, once you build a tolerance, it's not that hard to go through around 5 grams per day, which would put a terminally ill person scoring every 6 days. Not very convenient at all in reality. Sounds like they are mandating an ounce or over an ounce beyond personal to make it a felony (which is 28 grams). The laws are very (very) harsh regarding it.

hsewif

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

I've been reading some arguments that it's a privilege to adopt, and I would have to agree, and add that so should voting be, however with the pot thing it borders along the lines of discrimination. Why not make alcohol illegal? Why IS alcohol legal and pot is not? Who made this stupid law and why is it upheld?
Why are cigarettes legal then?

It such a ridiculous double standard.

Know your local laws and don't get caught. It's not just pot... any felony is bad news. Isn't mail fraud a felony?

Alcohol is legal because of the tax dollars it generates. Same with cigs.

It's an old arguement that will never be sorted out (like abortion). Pot will never be legal and abortion will always be legal. The local laws re:pot are pretty lenient unless you're a dealer or a user with a hard-core habit.

Don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine. Smoke away...

hsewif

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

I believe a king size cig is approx 1.2 grams. Subtract the filter, and weight for weight it's pretty close.

Some medical MJ patients can smoke around a quarter or about 5 - 7 grams a day fairly easily. If it was legal one wouldn't/shouldn't be concerned about waste all that much. This is the proper comparison mentality for perspective.

Also, once you build a tolerance, it's not that hard to go through around 5 grams per day, which would put a terminally ill person scoring every 6 days. Not very convenient at all in reality. Sounds like they are mandating an ounce or over an ounce beyond personal to make it a felony (which is 28 grams). The laws are very (very) harsh regarding it.

As I said earlier, a cig sized joint is a waste of pot. Geez... buy a bong.

If you're terminally ill and smoking a pound a day, don't get busted with it! Is it really that hard?

I asked earlier but you didn't answer... how do people get busted with that much pot?

norm

hsewif wrote:

As I said earlier, a cig sized joint is a waste of pot. Geez... buy a bong.

hell yeah!!!!!!

hsewif wrote:

If you're terminally ill and smoking a pound a day, don't get busted with it! Is it really that hard?

I asked earlier but you didn't answer... how do people get busted with that much pot?

have you ever watched "cops"?....;):D:D

RolandTD20Kdrummer

hsewif wrote:

As I said earlier, a cig sized joint is a waste of pot. Geez... buy a bong.

If you're terminally ill and smoking a pound a day, don't get busted with it! Is it really that hard?

I asked earlier but you didn't answer... how do people get busted with that much pot?

You're missing the comparison altogether. People don't smoke cigarettes in a bong to get every last scrap. You seem to have been conditioned by the law and the comparison is eluding you. You are conditioned to think that amount of pot is a lot when in reality I just showed you it isn't. It's about the same quantity as a pack of cigarettes. Heck two packs even...not a big amount now is it?

hsewif

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

You're missing the comparison altogether. People don't smoke cigarettes in a bong to get every last scrap. You seem to have been conditioned by the law and the comparison is eluding you altogether. You are conditioned to think that amount of pot is a lot when in reality I just showed you it isn't. It's about the same quantity as a pack of cigarettes. Heck two packs even...not a big amount now is it?

no, it's not... but if you're smoking that much, you have big problems!

-and maybe I am "conditioned". I don't need pot to get through the day. When I run out, I don't have heart-palipitations or steal from others to buy more.

edit-I'm not missing the comparison. 30 grams should equal much more than 30 joints. Try like 60 or more. Why would the average pot smoker need to have that much on them at once? And if they did, why do something stupid and get busted with it?

catefrances

hsewif wrote:

Alcohol is legal because of the tax dollars it generates. Same with cigs.

plus the government can't regulate it.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

hsewif wrote:

no, it's not... but if you're smoking that much, you have big problems!

-and maybe I am "conditioned". I don't need pot to get through the day. When I run out, I don't have heart-palipitations or steal from others to buy more.

You're still missing it. If it was legal people wouldn't have to use bongs to snarf up every last drop.

Normally people would just light a joint and smoke it casually like a cigarette instead of huffing every last drop in a make shift smoke collector.

The law has everything so far conditioned and under thumb that people don't always see the reality of what would be.

It's not a lot as I already pointed out.

norm

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

You're still missing it. If it was legal people wouldn't have to use bongs to snarf up every last drop.

Normally people would just light a joint and smoke it casually like a cigarette instead of huffing every last drop in a make shift smoke collector.

The law has everything so far conditioned and under thumb that people don't always see the reality of what would be.

It's not a lot as I already pointed out.

i agree with this....how many times have you or others left half empty beers, glasses of wine or cocktails?.......i wouldn't mind going to the liquor store and buy a pack of cush....;):p:D

hsewif

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

You're still missing it. If it was legal people wouldn't have to use bongs to snarf up every last drop.

Normally people would just light a joint and smoke it casually like a cigarette instead of huffing every last drop in a make shift smoke collector.

The law has everything so far conditioned and under thumb that people don't always see the reality of what would be.

I can make a 1/2 last a year so we're both wasting time.

Smoking pot like cigs is a waste of pot. and just dumb.

The reality of what would be? It will never in a million years happen so people really need to get over it and turn their attention to a different cause.

Again... know your local laws and stay within their limits. It's reasonable if you aren't an addict.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

hsewif wrote:

I can make a 1/2 last a year so we're both wasting time.

Smoking pot like cigs is a waste of pot. and just dumb.

The reality of what would be? It will never in a million years happen so people really need to get over it and turn their attention to a different cause.

Again... know your local laws and stay within their limits. It's reasonable if you aren't an addict.

I think you're stuck in a rut and can't get out of it. You need to uncondition yourself to what the media has programmed you with. Whoa...it's deep.

Bottom line it should be legal.

If it was legal, someone could grow several pounds in their back yard. Not only that so could all their friends...and...they could spare a lousy pound if needed...no biggie at all. It's just a weed and it grows like crazy. They could use it as fertilizer or compost if they wanted to. End of story. Dude....do the thinking...do the math. Free your mind from the chains of propaganda.

Abookamongstthemany

hsewif wrote:

I can make a 1/2 last a year so we're both wasting time.

Smoking pot like cigs is a waste of pot. and just dumb.

The reality of what would be? It will never in a million years happen so people really need to get over it and turn their attention to a different cause.

Again... know your local laws and stay within their limits. It's reasonable if you aren't an addict.

The point is there no logical reason that it is illegal given what is 'legal' and readily available all over the place. It doesn't matter about over consumption bc people over consume food, alcohol and tons of other shit and it is all still legal.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

The point I'm trying to make is the laws are excessively harsh regarding herb, but very lose with regards to alcohol and cigarettes. One is a harder more violent high (alcohol), and the other is extremely toxic and kills people (cigs).

Here we have something more natural than both, that is so stomped on that people are forced to go through ridiculous oppressive measures when encountering it.

I've used it like a once or twice a month in the past. Sometimes not at all for several months in a row. Sometimes a lot over a long weekend, and then not at all for months again. All in all...it just seems so casual, I really don't see what the big deal is.

Herb has been excessively demonized while other worse substances are glossed right over.

Hemp clothing lasts a long time. We could be saving a ton of money on clothing if this was the case. Instead we get ripped off to buy cheap cotton fiber clothes that quickly wear out (especially women $$$). The oils can be used to lubricate engines...make paper to save trees, Omega 3 oils for health...etc..etc...etc...the uses are virtually endless.

It's all pretty crazy when you think about it. It's all some weird propaganda from long ago, so they can make a war on it, and lock people up to spin a buck from it.

weird...

hsewif

Abookamongstthemany wrote:

people over consume food, alcohol and tons of other shit and it is all still legal.

this is why I will fight any sort of universal healthcare plan tooth and nail.

I think you're stuck in a rut and can't get out of it. You need to uncondition yourself to what the media has programmed you with. Whoa...it's deep.

Bottom line it should be legal.

If it was legal, someone could grow several pounds in their back yard. Not only that so could all their friends...and...they could spare a lousy pound if needed...no biggie at all. It's just a weed and it grows like crazy. They could use it as fertilizer or compost if they wanted to. End of story. Dude....do the thinking...do the math. Free your mind from the chains of propaganda.

I'm not stuck in anything. I think you might be, though. You're more conditioned than me... you 'need' pot and I don't. most of the population doesn't, either and that's why it's illegal. You're in the minority and you always will be.

You can grow pounds in your basement if you want to... just don't sell it or tell anyone. Don't get caught with it and you won't have a problem.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

hsewif wrote:

this is why I will fight any sort of universal healthcare plan tooth and nail.



I'm not stuck in anything. I think you might be, though. You're more conditioned than me... you 'need' pot and I don't. most of the population doesn't, either and that's why it's illegal. You're in the minority and you always will be.

You can grow pounds in your basement if you want to... just don't sell it or tell anyone. Don't get caught with it and you won't have a problem.

I don't need it at all. I rarely ever use it. I only offer a logistical reality that you continually refute out of stubbornness, or I suppose naivety.

Harry Anslinger has stolen your mind. You can take it back though, it still rests comfortably above your eyebrows. One day the lightbulb will go off.

hsewif

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

One day the lightbulb will go off.

Probably after a bong hit?

Drowned Out

hsewif wrote:

Why would the average pot smoker need to have that much on them at once? And if they did, why do something stupid and get busted with it?

like everything, it's cheaper in bulk.
an ounce of pot will last the average smoker a paycheck or three, that's not a heavy user. I know people that buy a lot more than that for personal, because they live out of town...something as simple as your headlight burning out on the way home could change your life....a hero cop and a hardass judge, yer in BIG trouble.
It's not like it's all reckless teens and gangstas running around with qp's n pagers....there are a lot of everyday people that have that much on them for short periods of time.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

hsewif wrote:

Probably after a bong hit?

lol..yeah I suppose something like that. It took me a quite a few documentaries, videos, and articles on the history to realize it all stems way back to the 1920's (in America).

First they said it turns people into violent, delusional, psychopaths (no exaggeration) and makes people want to murder everyone. Then they put out reports that it makes people extremely depressed, suicidal and useless....just hopeless permanent losers. Now the say it makes people insane and gives people schizophrenia?! Over and over again this goes in cycles. New "reports" come out, and back and forth they go...round and round. Which is it?

Well...none of them in reality.

I don't get it. Someone up there really, really, (really) hates it for some reason, and it's become so obvious to me now that it's all on purpose. All the studies are skewed, and lie after lie is driven into the public conscious, while so many things that really do harm us are remain under our noses 24/7. It blows me away.

It's laughable what the media continues to come up with, to make it look so terrifying, so dangerous, so evil...you really have to wonder why.

Drowned Out

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

I don't get it. Someone up there really, really, (really) hates it for some reason, and it's become so obvious to me now that it's all on purpose. All the studies are skewed, and lie after lie is driven into the public conscious, while so many things that really do harm us are remain under our noses 24/7. It blows me away.

There is more money and potential for personal/political gain in keeping it illegal. the budget is enormous....people skim from every other aspect of government funding, why would the WOD be any different? Then there are property seizures, backroom deals with organized crime and different levels of governments, both foreign and domestic (for turning a blind eye AND involvement)....a MASSIVE lobby from a multitude of industries, against whatever drug or plant would harm their bottom line...it's all a way of controlling the money flow. There is no way the people at the top of the food chain aren't tapped into this trillion dollar industry.

I don't think it would be very easy to regulate any kind of decrim/legalization. Once the laws were off the books, people would challenge everything (esp if the laws fell on rights issues)...I don't know how long the tax cow would be milkable...it would just crumble into hobby users and growers...like it should be.

1970RR

hsewif wrote:

no, it's not... but if you're smoking that much, you have big problems!

-and maybe I am "conditioned". I don't need pot to get through the day. When I run out, I don't have heart-palipitations or steal from others to buy more.

edit-I'm not missing the comparison. 30 grams should equal much more than 30 joints. Try like 60 or more. Why would the average pot smoker need to have that much on them at once? And if they did, why do something stupid and get busted with it?

30 grams is a little more than an ounce - not that much pot at all. One reason for carrying it may be that it was just purchased and being transported home.
Most states use 1 ounce as the cut off point between simple possession and more serious charges.
So keep it under 27 grams when travelling.

pjforever

depending on how it is packaged, usually, if you have 30 grams on you, you are selling it to your friends to pay for your own head and there ain't nothing wrong with that.....ain't no way your tolerance is gonna make you smoke anything more than 1-2 or maybe 3 grams tops in a day. ain't no way.

know1

RolandTD20Kdrummer wrote:

"By Silja J.A. Talvi, In These Times. Posted July 31, 2007.

Once you've been arrested for the harsh anti-marijuana laws on the books, you can be denied everything from food stamps to voting rights to the right to adopt a child."

This is interesting...

http://www.alternet.org/rights/58346/

I guess you way the pros and cons and make a choice, eh?

pjtaper

hippiemom wrote:

It's beyond ridiculous that we put people in prison for marijuana. What a waste.

I went to jail for 45 days due to pot... had a lot though...
I almost missed a PJ show because of this, ALMOST, but I made it to Champaign, 2nd row RIGHT IN FRONT OF MIKE, and they played Deep...
The day after the Indy 03 show, my ass went to jail!

pjtaper

I read more of the thread... I always wonder, if it becomes legal, who am I going to call first to go off on... after all the bullshit I was put through just for pot, I'm still a little bitter!

surferdude

hippiemom wrote:

It's beyond ridiculous that we put people in prison for marijuana. What a waste.

It is a waste. But equally it's a waste for people to knowingly break the law and then complain about the consequences and act as if they've been violated or live in a police state.

When I get pulled over for speeding I don't give the cop shit or act like I live in a repressive country. I shut up and pay the ticket. I amy even write my member of parliament about our speed limits on certainstretches of highway.

We all live in a society where for better or worse we've agreed to give up certain freedoms for ourselves in rder to ahev a semblance of law and order. it ain't perfect and it needs continuous work. But I have zero sympathy for people who willingly and knowingly break the law then bitch about the very well publicized consequences.