HB 641
This bill makes it a class A misdemeanor to be caught in possession of less than 35 grams of Marijuana or synthetic marijuana but a class C felony to be in possession of 35 or more grams of the same substance.
Before I go further I need to express that I do not condone the use of narcotics, also, I do not condone the use of alcohol or cigarettes and neither do I now, nor have I ever used any of them. I am simply trying to filter this issue through the principles of liberty.
I am not for an outright deregulation of everything but I do have a couple of problems with this bill when I look at it through the lens of liberty. Please give me your thoughts.
Now please keep in mind that if a person is convicted and charged with a felony for the possession of 1.3 ounces of marijuana or synthetic marijuana, a non violent crime, we will charge the taxpayers over $16,000 a year to lock him up with real bad criminals such as sex offenders or those guilty of theft or assault.
There is hope. I was told later in the evening by several legislators that they think they should have voted the way I did. I’m optimistic that my defense of liberty and the personal responsibility that goes with it will begin to spread until it becomes the focal point of everything we do in the legislature.
Now remember, I am NOT advocating drugs, alcohol, or nicotine, I am simply trying to filter this issue through the principles of liberty.
This bill makes it a class A misdemeanor to be caught in possession of less than 35 grams of Marijuana or synthetic marijuana but a class C felony to be in possession of 35 or more grams of the same substance.
Before I go further I need to express that I do not condone the use of narcotics, also, I do not condone the use of alcohol or cigarettes and neither do I now, nor have I ever used any of them. I am simply trying to filter this issue through the principles of liberty.
I am not for an outright deregulation of everything but I do have a couple of problems with this bill when I look at it through the lens of liberty. Please give me your thoughts.
- The arbitrary restrictions. Who decided that 35 grams of synthetic marijuana is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
Now please keep in mind that if a person is convicted and charged with a felony for the possession of 1.3 ounces of marijuana or synthetic marijuana, a non violent crime, we will charge the taxpayers over $16,000 a year to lock him up with real bad criminals such as sex offenders or those guilty of theft or assault.
- These punishments are for possession.
- The inconsistency of it all.
There is hope. I was told later in the evening by several legislators that they think they should have voted the way I did. I’m optimistic that my defense of liberty and the personal responsibility that goes with it will begin to spread until it becomes the focal point of everything we do in the legislature.
Now remember, I am NOT advocating drugs, alcohol, or nicotine, I am simply trying to filter this issue through the principles of liberty.