SilentScope001 Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 The title is stolen from The Onion's story of the same name but the news item is the same. It been causing lots of debate. Search google to figure out what is going on. Onion's Article: http://www.theonion.com/content/news/drugs_now_legal_if_user_is Real-Life Article: http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7315996&nav=menu183_5_3_7 Dropped Marijuana Charges Trigger Criticism From Attorney General Vermont's Attorney general is questioning why a lawyer and acting judge is getting a break for growing felony amounts of marijuana. Attorney General Bill Sorrell is concerned that Windsor prosecutor Bobby Sand is sending the wrong signal about justice in Vermont. The case started last month when game wardens discovered 36 pot plants and two-and-half pounds of marijuana in the home of Windsor lawyer Martha Davis, 61, according to court records. She also serves on occasion as an acting judge in the Windsor Family Court. The wardens charged her with felony marijuana possession and cultivation. Those charges carry potential penalties of 30 years in prison and a fine up to $1 million. But County Prosecutor Bobby Sand initially amended the charges to a far less serious misdemeanor and last week agreed not to charge Davis with any crime. Instead, he permitted her to enter the Court Diversion Program. That means all record of the charges will be permanently expunged if she successfully completes community service assignments. Vermont's Attorney General Bill Sorrell says giving the lawyer a break like that for serious felony charges sends the wrong message. "On the surface, it doesn't pass the straight-face test, giving a total pass for possession and cultivation of this much of an illegal drug," said Sorrell. He says he respects Windsor County Prosecutor Bob Sand, but Sand's failure to charge Windsor lawyer Martha Davis for felony marijuana possession is a break she would not get in any other county. "I think that there are those who will read and hear about this case who will say, 'where's the justice here,'" said Sorrell. The pot was found on the property of Davis in Windsor by Fish and Wildlife wardens. Ironically, they had been called there by Davis who thought there was a dead deer on her land. The wardens found no deer, but lots of pot. We were not able to speak with Sand on camera, but he did tell us that "all first time marijuana offenders are offered diversion if they have no prior record and (he is) satisfied the marijuana was only for personal use." "I don't do my job thinking about how prosecutors operate in other counties," he added. Sorrell thinks there ought to be consistency from county to county. "If all first-time marijuana possessors and cultivators in Windsor County are treated with Diversion then I guess that's the county in which you ought to be in that business. Although you run the risk that federal authorities would come in, or the Attorney General's Office would come into the case," responded Sorrell. The Attorney General is concerned about consistency in responses to crimes across the state. He hopes that serious charges are treated seriously in Vermont's 14 counties. There are some other articles based on this too: "Supporters, critics line up over handling of pot case" http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071115/NEWS02/711150306/1007 Officials want Gov. to change pot decree http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071114/NEWS04/711140380 Pro-Sand's View http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071120/OPINION02/711200361/1022/OPINION02 Anti-Sand's View http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071108/OPINION02/711080309/1037/OPINION02 You're be better off however doing your own indepedent research. I for one am glad that drugs are now legal if you are employed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gargoyle King Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 This is complete BS, drugs shouldn't be okay for anyone unless for medicinal purposes. I'm not glad about this, it sends the wrong message to people thinking it's okay for the Law to do dope, but not the Public. I can see many more Law Degrees being achieved over the course of 2008. EDIT: Wow! My 666th Post!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Galt Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 A step in the right direction, but legalization is still a long way away in this country. Too bad we've wasted so much money on the "War on Drugs..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serpentine Cougar Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Why on earth should harmful drugs like pot be legalized? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Sitherino Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Why on earth should harmful drugs like pot be legalized? Because marijuana is not harmful. I agree this is a step toward a more reasonable direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Why on earth should harmful drugs like pot be legalized?Because harmful drugs like tobacco and alcohol are legal too? We could, on the other hand, ban cigarettes and alcohol from our society, so that we don't have any harmful drugs legalised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jae Onasi Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 All this tells me is that if you are friends with a judge, you can get away with a lot more than the Average Joe. This shouldn't be about the pot--it should be about equal justice for everyone when they break a law. If you want the law changed, fine, but do it the legal way through legislation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimartin Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 This shouldn't be about the pot--it should be about equal justice for everyone when they break a law. If you want the law changed, fine, but do it the legal way through legislation. While I agree with some here that pot is no more dangerous or harmful than alcohol or tobacco, I agree with Jae on this issue if we want to legalize pot then do it through legislation. Saying that is alright to break the law because you have money or a job is just plain stupid. It is like saying it is alright to murder your ex-wife if you have money. Oh wait… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoiuyWired Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 All this tells me is that if you are friends with a judge, you can get away with a lot more than the Average Joe. This shouldn't be about the pot--it should be about equal justice for everyone when they break a law. If you want the law changed, fine, but do it the legal way through legislation. QFE. And QFE AGAIN. I think the problem with this case does lies on the biased treatment, and not legalization of drugs itself, that would be another topic. I mean, how much MORE can one get away with using lame excuses like these? We could, on the other hand, ban cigarettes and alcohol from our society, so that we don't have any harmful drugs legalised. You know how that works out during the Dry period... I think unless something is outright poisonous things like harmful drugs should be legalized and controlled. It is easier to maintain, cuts down related crime by illegal organizations and their fundings. Most importantly its a free person's responsability to control his use of recreational substances, be it drugs, gambling or fatty food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MdKnightR Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 A step in the right direction, but legalization is still a long way away in this country. Too bad we've wasted so much money on the "War on Drugs..." I support this message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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