Alternet: ‘The Five Worst States to Get Busted With Pot’
-
May 16, 2011
Police prosecute over 850,000 Americans annually for violating state marijuana laws. The penalties for those busted and convicted vary greatly, ranging from the imposition of small fines to license revocation to potential incarceration. But for the citizens arrested in these five states, the ramifications of even a minor pot bust are likely to be exceptionally severe.Alternet.org’s editors recently asked me to compile a list of ‘the worst of the worst’ states to be busted for personal pot possession. Without further ado, here they are:
The 5 Worst States to Get Busted With Pot
via Alternet.org[excerpt]
1. Oklahoma — Lawmakers in the Sooner State made headlines this spring when legislators voted 119 to 20 in favor of House Bill 1798, which enhances the state sentencing guidelines for hash manufacturing to a minimum of two years in jail and a maximum penalty of life in prison. (Mary Fallin, the state’s first-ever female governor, signed the measure into law in April; it takes effect on November 1, 2011.) But longtime Oklahoma observers were hardly surprised at lawmakers’ latest “life for pot” plan. After all, state law already allows judges to hand out life sentences for those convicted of cannabis cultivation or for the sale of a single dime-bag.
2. Texas — On an annual basis, no state arrests and criminally prosecutes more of its citizens for pot than does Texas. Marijuana arrests comprise over half of all annual arrests in the Lone Star State. It is easy to see why. In 2009, more than 97 percent of all Texas marijuana arrests — over 77,000 people — were for possession only. Those convicted face up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine, even upon a first conviction.
3. Florida — According to a 2009 state-by-state analysis by researcher and former NORML Director Jon Gettman, no other state routinely punishes minor marijuana more severely than does the Sunshine State. Under Florida law, marijuana possession of 20 grams or less (about two-thirds of an ounce) is a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to one-year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine. Marijuana possession over 20 grams, as well as the cultivation of even a single pot plant, are defined by law as felony offenses – punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. In recent years, state lawmakers have revisited the state’s marijuana penalties – in each case electing to enhance Florida’s already toughest-in-the-nation criminal punishments.
4. Louisiana — In Louisiana, multi-decade (or even life) sentences for repeat pot offenders are hardly a rare occurrence. Under Louisiana law, a second pot possession conviction is classified as a felony offense, punishable by up to five years in prison. Three-time offenders face up to 20 years in prison. According to a 2008 expose published in New Orleans City Business online, district attorneys are not hesitant to “target small-time marijuana users, sometimes caught with less than a gram of pot, and threaten them with lengthy prison sentences.”
5. Arizona — Forty years ago virtually every state in the nation defined marijuana possession as a felony offense. Today, only one state, Arizona, treats first-time pot possession in such an archaic and punitive manner. Under Arizona law, even minor marijuana possession offenses may be prosecuted as felony crimes, punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $150,000 fine. According to Jon Gettman’s 2009 analysis only Florida consistently treats minor marijuana possession cases more severely.
For a comprehensive breakdown of state-by-state marijuana penalties, visit NORML’s online map here. To get active in changing the laws of your state, visit NORML’s ‘Take Action Center’ here, sign up for free NORML news and legislative alerts, get involved with your local NORML chapter (or start your own chapter here), and join national NORML.
Get active; get NORML!
66 Responses to “Alternet: ‘The Five Worst States to Get Busted With Pot’”
Leave a Reply
We’re all aware of the insanity of marijuana prohibition and the political corruption behind it all. Constantly getting worked up over it only energizes and strengthens the madness.
Instead, accept what is and play by the rules. Support NORML, ASA and your local advocacy groups. Know where your candidates stand and vote.
Even though Big Pharma and other threatened industries can afford to bypass the rules, look at all the battles that have been won so far– 16 and counting. Given time, sanity will prevail. Until then, be even more careful than ever.
Why fuel the insanity? Accept it, knowing that its days are indeed numbered. Honestly, I’d rather focus on something positive.
We’re all aware of the insanity of marijuana prohibition and the political corruption behind it all. Constantly getting worked up over it only energizes and strengthens the madness.
Instead, accept what is and play by the rules. Support NORML, ASA and your local advocacy groups. Know where your candidates stand and vote.
Even though Big Pharma and other threatened industries can afford to bypass the rules, look at all the battles that have been won so far– 16 and counting. Given time, sanity will prevail. Until then, be even more careful than ever.
Why fuel the insanity? Accept it, knowing that its days are indeed numbered. Honestly, I’d rather focus on something positive.
“Genesists will never compromise our principals or abandon our cause.”
We know that there are many representatives that “do the peoples business” – and – they themselves are not prohibitionists. These are our brethren in office – and – deserve our whole support. From the ones making the laws to the ones enforcing the laws – anti-prohibs should receive our blessings.
There’s some of this shit that gets in your head and don’t go away. Madness takes its toll. Madness is what we are going through. When you realize the effects of all the atrocities that have befallen us at the hand of prohibs – all that we have endured under the disguise of justice – we must examine or at least question our own sanity – or – we are derelict in our duty to self.
DEMAND/MANDATE SCIENTIFIC CONCLUSION.
This is real BS – destroying evidence ?!
If they knock and hear nothing, then go away the evidence could be destroyed before they return and knock again. Anyway until they are sure a crime has been committed at that address there is no concept of evidence anyway. Smells are not an indication of crime being committed since you may have just finished your last bit and then you are not in possession are you. Very dubious decision – unworthy of any judge !
I think this is the biggest crime of all. Arresting people because you think they are smoking marijuana in the privicy of their homes? Have all of you lost your mind, it’s a plant for Gods sake. The Supreme court, has no right to take the rights that OUR forfathers gave us!!! You or they have no right to, rewrite the amendment or Constituion to fit your agenda. We the people need to vote all of these jerks out of office. I just don’t understand why more people don’t get out and vote and change all of this!!I also don’t understand how or why the same ones are always voted back in?? Do you think they will change, or what??
The laws must change we the people of the united states demand a careing Government not a money makeing Government. I live in Michigan the laws arnt quit as bad as the infamous five states,but they need to be changed as well. The so called Medical Marijuana has driven the price of pot thru the roof and it must be stoped. I should not have to give a doctor $150 for a medical card to use Marijuana,its safer then booze or tobacco or even caffine. Oh wait i foregot its a money game in the Good ole U.S.OF A. were did our values go? were is the pursuit to be happy as long as it dont hurt others? Free Marijuana its just not for smokeing anymore!
I’m in Oklahoma. The amusing thing is, you would think that in a state so caught up in the drug war that people would have given up… that is not the case. We live our lives, we have to hide out, we have to be more careful, but it also breeds a sweetness in the turmoil. We know where the fight lies, we know what happens when the Constitution is trampled, and when we are actually able to get out of here I believe we have a greater understanding of the importance of basic human rights and decency. Are there helicopters over head every night? Yes. Is being pulled over the scariest thing in the world? Yes, but it’s worse in Texas. I hate being here, those that put down the “divine word” and picked up a thought stick simply do not belong. If anyone wants to give a job to a degreed twenty something to get me the hell out of here, I would be much obliged.
Let’s face it – any state is the worst state to get busted in. It’s the getting busted that makes it no better or no less painful. Look – ask yourself – what’s the worst thing that can happen? Then – “accept it.” What’s really amazing here is that once you do that – everything gets better. You’ve got no place to go but up.
“Andrew T Says:
May 19th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
“…those that put down the “divine word” and picked up a thought stick…”
RE: Andrew,
The SUPREME IRONY of those states whose majority of people claim
unwaivering “belief” in “divine-word” is that their
imperious “war on a plant-species”
(one of many plant-species ALSO “made” by the same Creator-God),
CONTRADICTS the “Holy Writ”
they claim to “believe” in…!!!
Im a two time felon for pot while in Virginia, thank god I left that place…
[...] Even if it's real this guy won't be getting rich off any lawsuit. Try Florida and Arizona Alternet: ‘The Five Worst States to Get Busted With Pot’ | NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Ref… __________________ "Is marijuana addictive? Yes, in the sense that most of the really [...]
O how the redneck south fears the enlightened mind. And stop electing republicans people. They want you to keep getting arrested so big pharma keeps giving them their checks. There was a time when America was respected in the world, and now other countries look at us like we are just glorified rednecks who own yachts and hummers and still bitch about our taxes. People that are arrested cant vote to effect change, so please be careful out there. Smoke 4 all around…..
I live in CA. I am moving to FL. Now what? From what I’ve read, if I’m discreet and paranoid (like the old days) it will be ok.
P.S. I am a 70 year old woman with a PhD and a medical condition.
norml why do you guys not create TV commercials. every article i read on the internet, probably 24 out of every 25 people are bewildered at marijuana laws while the other person says its wrong to smoke weed. if that even.. it blows my mind. obviously the majority of the country knows marijuana is relatively safe, minus people with pre-existing mental conditions, and i think anyone would agree that by legalizing marijuana we would vastly, so very vastly eliminate it from teenagers hands whose brains are still developing, as well as eliminate street gangs. WITH MARIJUANA ILLEGAL, THERE IS A CAUSE FOR A “DRUG WAR”, FOR THERE ARE STILL DRUG DEALERS. LEGALIZE IT, AND YOU VASTLY ELIMINATE THE BLACK MARKET! if drug dealers dont have pot to sell, they’ll likely find themselves going BANKRUPT trying to sell the more serious, less popular and much more damaging drugs.
[Editor's note: NORML's run TV commercials before...see here. Also, NORML has run many radio, billboards and print ads since 1970s. See here for info about NORML's ads.
The two main problems with drug policy reform groups running pro-reform commercials are 1) Costs to produce and run sustained campaigns, notably in large and national media markets (to date, no drug policy reform group including NORML has had budgets large enough to make major media buys, i.e. 30 second ad buys during the Super Bowl), and 2) Even with well produced ads and sufficient cash in hand, major media outlets have no legal or moral obligation to run the ads (and most media outlets historically will not run pro-cannabis reform ads).
No doubt that sustained, well conceived and produced pro-reform ads can only help hasten an end to Cannabis Prohibition. No doubt at all.]
Why arent we out there with petitions and protest in the 5 worst states? This is America!!!! So in AZ and FL you go to prison and get a felony? and the rest of the usa gets a slap on the hands??? It should be the same laws in every state, Were suspose to be one country???? Your life is ruined in those 5 states and the rest of the usa nothing happens to you??? are we the people in those 5 states part of the usa??? Cose we dont feel like we are. This is totaly crazy. We the people need to help the people of oppressed states. Our rights and freedom to govern out own body is being stomped on. If anything should be illegal it should be ciggeretts, they cause lung cancer. What cancer dose pot cause????? Cigeretts drain the economy via medical problems in those states, what dose pot drain?? oh ya, the police get 150,000 in fines if they bust you. I would say thats the reason AZ has such tough pot laws. I dont think its for our well being. I think its to collect some easy cash.
all i got to say is 1dime bag life sentences omg and you allow legsl handguns to be bought like candy , and alcohol being sold at corner stores here in canada we have barley any sentances for Marihuana but you get caught with a hand gun and its a instant 4 years in jail when have you heard of a pot head od kill or commit suicide over it,