08-12-2013, 10:40 AM
US Attorney General, Eric Holder, gets a lot of things wrong, IMO.
![[Image: images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSyw0754Y8nfNVMFZmWagk...-zmNTgp9LQ]](https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSyw0754Y8nfNVMFZmWagkKLUXM31HHkoHbKJYfmCyN-zmNTgp9LQ)
Not this time.
I agree with him that those caught with personal-use quantities of marijuana (and no criminal records) should not be prosecuted and jailed, sometimes with harsher sentences than violent criminals. Fine 'em if you must, but that should be the extent of it. IMO.
A good portion of those charged and prosecuted for marijuana possession are younger and have a difficult time getting work with the conviction on their records, even those with degrees.
It's also good to see that elderly prisoners arrested for marijuana and other non-violent offenses will be eligible for early release under the new national guidelines that Holder will announce today in San Francisco.
Of course, it's still gonna be up to the individual states as to who they prosecute or not, but the national guidelines should help to curb the senseless (IMO) incarcerations and prompt states to focus more on violent offenders and those who commit crimes against others.
I think that the national guidelines could really help state lawmakers who have been pushing for decriminalization of some lower level crimes (and getting voted down by narrow margins) to influence middle of the road legislators to get on board.
Here's the story:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/12...41524.html
Now, if Holder would pull his head out and smack down the Feds interfering with state-legalized medicinal marijuana distribution, we'd really be getting somewhere.
Not this time.
I agree with him that those caught with personal-use quantities of marijuana (and no criminal records) should not be prosecuted and jailed, sometimes with harsher sentences than violent criminals. Fine 'em if you must, but that should be the extent of it. IMO.
A good portion of those charged and prosecuted for marijuana possession are younger and have a difficult time getting work with the conviction on their records, even those with degrees.
It's also good to see that elderly prisoners arrested for marijuana and other non-violent offenses will be eligible for early release under the new national guidelines that Holder will announce today in San Francisco.
Of course, it's still gonna be up to the individual states as to who they prosecute or not, but the national guidelines should help to curb the senseless (IMO) incarcerations and prompt states to focus more on violent offenders and those who commit crimes against others.
I think that the national guidelines could really help state lawmakers who have been pushing for decriminalization of some lower level crimes (and getting voted down by narrow margins) to influence middle of the road legislators to get on board.
Here's the story:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/12...41524.html
Now, if Holder would pull his head out and smack down the Feds interfering with state-legalized medicinal marijuana distribution, we'd really be getting somewhere.