If marijuana were to be legalized, should those incarcerated for sale or possession of it be exonerated?
137981
No.  Just as you cannot prosecute someone for doing something that was legal at the time the act was committed but no longer legal, you cannot exonerate someone for breaking what was a law at the time the criminal act was committed.  Look at it this way, it's not what they did that was wrong, it was that they disobeyed what was written as law.
459018
I think that itshould be legal simply because a lot of people do it now a days and they are crowding up our jails with petty things like people selling it and they are not leaving enough room for the people that actually deserve to be incarcerated, plus we are spending our tax money to feed and house them, when our neighbors smoke weed on a regular basis and have not been caught yet.  It is stupid for our pd's to spend so much time on something so petty. what they should do is legalize it and then make laws about it just like with alcohol.do I believe that smoking it is right? No, I don't. but that decision has to be left up to the individual.
654614
I think I would be for arresting anyone that tries to grow their own. Rather there needs to be a control over how much people are allowed to smoke. \n\nThe reason I say that is because there are severe addictions, mental problems, and a few other health problems that marijuana can cause if you are able to smoke too much of it on a regular basis. \n\nBut as far as a minor causual use gotton from strictly controlled sources, that is another issue entirely. That approach could easily reduce the current severe abuse of marijuana where outright legalization or outlawing can't. Therefore reducing the problems that come from severe abuse. \n\nAlso legalizing marijuana would remove the bars from Industrial Hemp. We are the only country that doesn't have Indutrial Hemp production. \n\nIndustrial hemp could replace wood in paper product production and be a tool in reducing the amount of forests that are cut down. \n\nIt's most common use is clothing and textiles. We could generate thousands of jobs in this area alone. \n\nSo yes, legalization could be helpful.
629045
They should absolutely be charged. It should also be a felony with prison time implimented.
1077619
I wish.  The thing is though, is that people get longer prison sentences with drug violations than people who have committed a murder!  That's just wrong.  And the justice system is way too lenient with child abusers, rapists, and molesters.  How is that the criminals have more rights than those who uphold the law?
596414
Let me first start by saying I have never smoked any pot or done anyother type of drugs in my life. Not because I have any religious beliefs against it or anything, but just because I like having control of my mind and thoughts. I also do not drink by personal choice. (not that I look down on you if you do.) \n\nI believe the main reason that pot is not legal is because of voting pressure against our leaders. They know that there are tons of groups such as M.A.D.D. and others that would make sure that they were never re-elected. However I feel that if we ever have leaders with enough balls to do it, it would not only lower the crime rate but it would overall help our country finanially.\n\n\n\nIf they legalized drugs it would...\n\nA. Make room in our prisons. Our prisons are overflowing with so many people that they are constanly having to turn guilty criminals loose on the streets to make room for more. About 73% of people in jail are there on some type of drug charge or another. If they legalized drugs there would be more room to house murderers, rapists, and other serious criminals in this world.\n\nB. It would lower the persentage of roberies everyday in this country. If drugs were legal, the price of them would drop jurasticlly. Therefore there would not be as many desperate people out there who are willing to steal to feed their habit.\n\nC. It would bring more economic opportunity to our various states. If it were able to be purchased the same as you would a beer (which by the way it does absolutely no more harm than beer does) then any store could aquire a license to sell and it would hence bring more money for our honest local buisiness owners, instead of into the pockets of lowlife scum dealers.\n\nThese are my thoughts on this subject.
945629
No - it does not work.  Our jails are overcrowded.  We make arrests that don't go anywhere.  We should be more concerned about the security of the USA rather than some guy smoking weed in their house.  \n\nI am Libertarian as well
1015919
Marijuana is perscibed to people that are dying and people with health issues that need it for certain reasons. Yes i think it should be legalized. The medical use is a step in the right direction and i belive these folks get cards and paperwork for personal use.
137646
I have rethought my position on legalization of marijuana. I think it should be legal under certain guidelines and locals.\n\nThe first reason it should be legalized it will mellow out the liberals. They are way to shrill.\n\nReason number two, if a liberal is high they won't care about voting and we can easily elect conservative representative, congressmen, and president. Conservatives will never again have to deal with R.I.N.O.s if this happens. Imagine if there was no Arlen Spector or John McCain.\n\nReason Three assuming that only liberals and libertarians are for the legalization of drugs they can fight amongst themselves, and we conservatives have a way to sure up our power\n\nThe Previsos\n\nmarijuana would only be legal in Blue States. If you are caught with marijuana in a red state you get a trial and immediately executed after the trial, no appeals. The reason for this is to get potheads out of here and since it seams as if the Blue states want to legalize it let them.\n\nIf someone who is high robs, steals, or causes an accident after THC is detected in their system ALL their possessions become the property of the estate of the victim. (applies to all fifty)\n\nIf they have children, the children are removed from the home and are never returned (applies to all fifty)\n\nThe only treatment for those who want to quit smoking marijuana will be the intake of tobacco products, or beaten with a bong. Paid for by the offender (the way they train dogs not to make messes on carpets) Again all fifty.\n\nIf this works for marijuana I would propose the same for all illicit drugs. But no one would accept this proposal so I will have to continue my opposition to this and ALL illegal drugs.
1082645
If all you were busted for is simple possession, the sentence will be rehab. Under CA proposition 36, people who are arrested for possession of a controlled substance for the FIRST TIME get rehab. Prop. 36 does not apply to possession for sales quantities, however.
808193
Well, sure.  Just look at Congress. It's full of ex-cons and they vote on stuff all the time.\n\nActually, I don't think felons should.  It's just one of the many consequences of breaking the law.
769865
Absolutly.  Making it illegal wastes tax dollars and ruins people's lives who have not engaged in any sort of violent crime.  Instead, they have done something very similar to drinking or smoking cigarettes, and because they have, they now face jail time, huge fines and criminal records.  It should, at the very least, be decriminalized, as the punishment would be rehab or something.  But absolutly, legalization will put drug dealers out of business (similar to the way the end of prohibition ended the mobster culture).  It would bring in more revenue, it could be regulated (and kid can tell you its easier to get pot than beer, as they don't have to show their ID to dealers), and it would free up our police to search out and get violent criminals more effectivly.
139534
Depends on many things, especially on the state law covering the possession.\n\nOften, the amounts (grams versus pounds versus kilos versus truckloads versus cargo ships) make the difference.\n\nDistribution makes a difference....to include otherwise small amounts given to minors.\n\nType of drug matters; in parts of California, it's getting almost impossible to get someone convicted of felony marijuana crimes.\n\nThere are too many unknowns in your question to be able to definitively answer it.
788178
Depends on the circumstances of the case. If you got more charges that are more serious, you can probably plead guilty on those charges if the prosecution takes away the marijuana charge. If it's just the weed charge, you're sh'it out of luck. And I'm sure no lawyer will even try to get rid of it since it's so small and trivial now (compared to the more serious stuff that's going on).
714730
I do not totally agree with you, but I do feel something has to be done. The death penalty maybe a bit harsh, but tougher penalties should be applied to users and dealers alike.\n\nDrugs are the root of 75% of our crime. Your users can not afford their habit and resort in stealing, robbing, and prostitution to pay for more drugs. \n\nYour dealers use violence to protect their investment. A lot of our gangs are heavily into drug trafficking and also use violence to control their drug turf.\n\nThe way the Laws are set up today punishes the dealer more than the user, but if there was no one demanding the drug, then there would be no need for the dealers. That's why the users need the same penalty as the dealer.\n\nIn Texas today, a first time offender caught with less than 2 oz of Marijuana is only breaking a class B Misdemeanor. That's one step above a speeding ticket and usually results in little to no jail time. \n\nNow imagine if the penalty were a Second Degree Felony. That's just below premeditated murder, and comes with not jail time, but hard Prison time for several years. \n\nIf that first time offender knew the risk he was taking in getting caught, I do not believe he would have made the wrong decision.
830744
What would happen to the crime rate if it were legalized?\n\nWhat would the number of users do if it were legalized... would it increase or decrease?\n\nWe know it's a harmful substance so why would one want to legalize such a harmful drug?\n\nIf it were legalized, then teens (for the most part) using the substance to rebel against parents, rules, laws, and whatever else, what would they do?  Would they continue using marijuana or would they move on to another, more harmful substance?\n\nHow and why would this benefit society?\n\nThe only use for marijuana that's acceptable in society today (for medicinal purposes) is already available in many states/provinces with a prescription from a qualified doctor.  What would the purpose of legalizing marijuana be?  \n\nIf it were legalized, wouldn't it be easier to get ahold of and be easier for children to access and be harmed by?\n\nWould you allow your own children (either now or several years down the road when you do have children) to use marijuana?  If it's legalized they can purchase it on their own much easier.  Just gives a person a little bit to think about.
117729
Using illegal drugs regardless of your condition or sex is criminal. However, a more severe punishment should be imposed on a woman who would subject her baby to illegal drugs or alchohol.  \n\nSure, I would entertain the idea of institutionalizing the mother until the birth if she is using illegal drugs....after that, she should go to prison.  The problem is, who is going to pay for that?  That's right, the taxpayer.  Again, the taxpayer has to take responsibility for the stupid things people do.\n\nAccountability is the number one lacking quality amoung many Americans today.  The fact that we as a society tolerate stupidity and irresponsibilty, is enabling these morons to continue making poor desisions, having children, doing drugs...etc.\n\nUntil we hold people accountable and responsible for their actions, there is no real solution.\n\nGood luck and take care.