The Columbian | Serving Clark County, Washington

Time to legalize this drug. It's much less harmful than alcohol which is regulated and legal. In fact all street and narcotic drugs and hallucinogens ought to be brought under the regulation of the FDA and doled out to addicts while efforts are made to rehabilitate them and bring them out from under their addiction. Addiction is a medical problem, not a criminal problem.

What has happened in this war against drugs has followed the pattern of Prohibition, creating a huge and dangerous criminal element that threatens the integrity of many American law enforcement agencies and the corruption of government and crime enforcement elements in nations all over the world. We learned much more quickly about the evils of Prohibition. What's making us so stupid for such a long time on these other drugs? And why aren't killer-cigarettes made illegal and coffee, both of which are addictive substances?

The government can't expect respect on this issue until laws become consistent, rational and just.

aintnogod — January 19, 2010 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Support HB2401. Contact your Representatives and tell them that it's time to legalize marijuana and end this senseless war against a very useful plant.

Craig_Sayre — January 19, 2010 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Really, it's time for this country to grow up. Support HB2401 and free law enforcement to do their real work.

fauxnoise_netjerk — January 19, 2010 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

What people don't seem to understand is that while there might be a valid argument to legalize marijuana, right now, it is illegal, and regardless of what the officer's personal feelings are, they have to enforce the law as it is written right now.

You cannot be selective when enforcing state or local laws.

You would not want an officer to decide he was going to stop writing citations for Domestic Assault just because they personally believe it is allowable to assault their spouse.

That is, perhaps, an extreme example, but the thought process is the same.

While I am neither for nor against the legalization of marijuana, right now, it is illegal, and people know that it is illegal. If you are caught, you will be cited. That's the way it works.

Tora — January 19, 2010 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

It is also illegal to text or talk on a cell phone while you drive. I sure don't see anyone enforcing that law. I think it impairs you as much or more than Marijuana.

PDXPack — January 19, 2010 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

They do enforce that law. I believe it was on Friday in Portland that they issued over two hundred tickets in two hours for that infraction.

Tora — January 19, 2010 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Yes, for as long as marijauna remains illegal, laws should be enforced, but the police do have some discretion in enforcing the law and can look the other way on minor offences. The point is though, to do away with stupid laws against marijuana.

The majority of letters I've read on this subject are not questioning whether or not current laws should be enforced. They are questioning the law itself. Support HB2401.

Craig_Sayre — January 19, 2010 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

the reality is in the facts Marijuana laws were created as a racist maneuver to vilify Mexicans. Making this prohibition, on a harmless substance, a mockery of justice.
It calls into question the villainies of the special interests groups whom are solely responsible for the continuation of this overly costly and disproportionally harmful, criminal litigation and punitive actions against even our most celebrated citizens.
We can bravely Support HB2401, the time to fear the fascist doctrines of obsessed men of the past is over.
Know the truth, you do more damage to your body with the 2 scoops of sugar you put in your coffee, and cause by far more life threatening harm should you eat the french fries at a fast food restaurant. If you consider yourself informed about marijuana you would know this.

jimmyt — January 19, 2010 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I urge all citizens whom sit on jury over marijuana cases to sent a clear message to legislators by calling for jury nullification.
Giving the common citizen the power to fight this injustice, even if the court officers believe them self's powerless to be critical of the law as it is written right now

jimmyt — January 19, 2010 at 1:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jimmyt - You're right about the racist origins of the marijuana laws, but there were also (more importantly) financial reasons for these laws. The timber industry didn't like the fact that hemp paper was a superior product to paper made from tree fiber so they decided to eliminate the competition. They used race-baiting (targeting not just Mexicans, but Blacks as well) as a tactic to achieve their goal.

Craig_Sayre — January 19, 2010 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

cant believe they even printed THIS story, never see the other cases like this one printed,,oh wait,,he was with what team again? never heard of him before,but then again i dont know everyone that is important,dang,more bad luck i guess

rw — January 19, 2010 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

@JimmyT - You may do more harm to your body by drinking coffee with sugar and eating french fries, however, I can't remember the last time someone was arrested for either thing. Or the last time someone was shot because of a coffee sale gone wrong. Or the last time someone was caught smuggling french fries across the border.

I do, though, understand your point, and if and when HB 2401 is approved, and voted upon and passes then we will not even have this conversation.

But until that day occurs, marijuana is illegal. He got caught. He has to pay. End of story. I am actually impressed that he owned up, even if it was amended down to an infraction. At least he is taking responsibility for his actions.

Tora — January 19, 2010 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

See there, kids? Don't use marijuana or you may grow up to be a big loser. Like Lincecum and Michael Phelps.

columbiansucks — January 19, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

It's unfortunate that people have to resort to personal attacks to get their point across. All I am saying is that is one does not want to get into trouble, follow the rules, and if you don't like the rules, work to change them.

It appears that that is what is happening with the new House Bill that is being proposed.

And yes, even if the rule does not make sense, I would follow it. It is still a rule. Not every rule or law or ordinace may make sense, but it is still there, and enforceable.

I am making a choice to live within the confines of society's laws, rules and customs. If that makes me a sheep, so be it. I would much rather be a law abiding sheep that a goat who is in custody all the time.

Tora — January 19, 2010 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

@Urabus - That's your choice to break laws daily. And one day, you will be caught. I deal with people every day that got caught. And I am sure that when your time comes to get a speeding ticket, or a ticket for running a red light, or for talking on your cell phone, you are going to be indignant that the officers aren't out there catching the "real" criminals.

But, our discussion is getting off topic. I am not going to engage in a debate about what laws can be broken and when. That was not the point of my initial comment.

The original point of my comment was that as of right now, marijuana is illegal, and therefore officers can cite someone for possessing it. Regardless of the fact that many people think it is harmless and that it is time to legalize it, it is not legal. People know that it is not legal, and when someone choses to smoke it or eat it, they know that there is a chance that they are going to get caught.

Definitely time for a cost-benefit analysis: is getting high worth the potential consequences.

If Mr. Lincecum had plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge of Possession of Marijuana, he had a mandatory minimum of 1 day in custody, a maximum of $1000 fine, a potential to serve up to 90 days in custody and not to mention court costs, drug evals and drug treatment.

That threat is enough to make me not want to do it.

He did get lucky in that they dropped the Possession charge and amended the Possession of Paraphernalia down to an infraction, otherwise he would still be looking at jail time, fines and costs and a criminal record.

Tora — January 19, 2010 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Hang on just a second! i dont get it? If it was I that got busted driving stoned, with a bag of pot and a pipe, i would be taken straight to jail. And a condition of my release would be to give U/A samples at the local "treatment" facility. Now if those samples came up positive for pot, i would be required to get a drug/alcohol assessment, where i would likely be found addicted to marijuana and a 1 year rehab program would be shoved down my throat, or i would go back to jail!
Along with all that, i would be placed into the DRUG COURT program, required to undergo a 30 day inpatient drug treatment program, and at least a years worth of outpatient counseling while still giving weekly U/A samples, and god forbid if they come up positive as i would be thrown back in jail for my own good and likely set back in the outpatient program.
I would also be required to attend weekly DRUG COURT, where i would be told that if my wife or other persons i may live with happened to be felons, that i could no longer live with them and now must move to one of the local oxford houses.
i would also be informed that i could not leave the state/county without prior permission of the courts, or risk jail.
DOES ANYBODY SEE A PROBLEM WITH THIS????
Come on people.....why does the common man pay thru the nose for this "crime", but the rich and famous do not!!!!!

freetoroam — January 19, 2010 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Freetoroam is correct, though Drug Court is usually reserved for people with a long history of drug abuse issues, for a first time offense, usually an evaluation and a follow through with treatment, if it was recommended.

The court cannot force you into treatment, technically, what they can do is tell you to get an evaluation and comply with what they say. And if you aren't doing what the treatment provider says then you are looking at potential jail time or further sanctions.

Tora — January 19, 2010 at 7:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

why was the story changed and part added about his arbitaration for money ???what has that have to do with this waste of print story?

rw — January 19, 2010 at 7:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mr tora
You make my point of non critical thinking of BAD LAWS will lead to much worse consequences to our society, than all the pot smoked since the begin of time. In that not one person ever died from using marijuana itself, but countless lives have been destroyed by a legal system sadly corrupted by lies, saying it's motives are for their betterment.

you need only remember a guy that convinced an entire people that it would be good idea to have a final salutation to the JEWISH PROBLEM. I bet you would have followed him, as sheep then too.
Justis demands review by the brave people who have the guts to just say no to tyranny.

jimmyt — January 19, 2010 at 9:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I don't have a problem with what Tora is saying. It's just common sense. Work to change the law - don't just violate it. Even though I personally don't agree with the current law against marijuana and would like to see the law changed, I still follow the law. My guess would be that the court and penal system is overloaded with people who thought that they didn't need to follow the law because they were 'smarter' than the people who wrote the law, and more clever than those who enforce the laws.

Craig_Sayre — January 19, 2010 at 9:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Hmmm, how much "justice" can YOU afford?

bokchoi — January 19, 2010 at 9:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

@jimmyt

Criminology 101 - punishment for crimes is not to prevent the person from re-offending, it is to prevent other people from committing the same crime, i.e. Sam got caught smoking pot and went to jail. I don't want to go to jail, therefore I will not smoke pot.

Again, I have no issue with marijuana. If the whole world wants to light up, that is perfectly fine with me, but until the citizens of Washington vote that into law, the whole world is probably going to be charged.

In my experience, the only people, in general, who feel that the legal system is corrupt and out to get people are people who are out doing bad things and deserve to get caught.

And as to your reference to World War Two and Hitler, aside from the mass genocide, he did bring Germany back from a horrible war and economic ruin, and made it into a power among the European countries.

I also do not believe that following the rules and morays of a society make one into a sheep. You become a sheep when you blindly follow someone. When one makes an educated decision about your own behavior that is definitely un-sheep-like.

@Craig_Sayre - You are right, our system is overloaded with people who thought that they were above the law. I see many, many kids, 18, 19 years old coming through with marijuana and other drug charges. It is even more sad when you see them begin to slide into harder and harder drugs.

Tora — January 19, 2010 at 11:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

the price of justice is high, but the cost of injustice is higher. Here bringing to light that criminal prosecution has work for years to quell any semblance of a common sense solution, vying instead for the love of bureaucratic, institutionalized, greed.
Marijuana prohibition, that my friends is the greater evil. When one dose choose to believe in a lie, one cannot sit in judgment on these ideals, we tend destroy our own integrity, Fruit of a poison tree.

jimmyt — January 19, 2010 at 11:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I am attempting to make sense of your comment. What lie are we believing? And what are your reasons that the illegality or marijuana is the greater evil?

Do you not think that if the government were truly greedy they would legalize it in a second and then regulate and tax the purchase of marijuana as they do alcohol?

Tora — January 19, 2010 at 11:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Tora writes:
"he (Hitler) did bring Germany back from a horrible war and economic ruin, and made it into a power among the European countries".
my reply is, good god man, how easy it was get you to show off your white hood. Evolve

jimmyt — January 19, 2010 at 11:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

How does stating a simple fact about history suddenly mean that I am racist and male?

What am I to evolve into? A pot-smoking degenerate who spends all their time maligning the law and the government and yet does nothing to change it?

I think I will keep my white hood, thanks.

Tora — January 20, 2010 at midnight ( permalink | suggest removal )

the lie is marijuana being bad for you. most professionals that work in law enforcement and medicine will tell you matter of factually, the greater destruction to the lives of kids, 18, 19 years old coming through with marijuana drug charges, is from this aberration of the criminal justice system, on this issue. As to, "think that if the government were truly greedy they would legalize it in a second and then regulate and tax the purchase of marijuana as they do alcohol?" you should read Washing State house bill #2401, as that is exactly what is purposed. in a rush to pass legislation before the citizens initiatives in November that would demand complete and blanket revocation of all the draconian laws on this whole subject. Proof again lobbied secret agendas in a legislator will see greed before compassion.

jimmyt — January 20, 2010 at 12:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I had a really good point...but, I forget now what it was.

Van_Cougar — January 20, 2010 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Thank God they got to this young man while there's still time to turn things around and make something out of his life.

zippy_skippy — January 20, 2010 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

"I'll try not to let this happen again..."

Meaning: get caught

Van_Cougar — January 20, 2010 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jimmyt is sampling some of the Lincecum private reserve.

Urabus- What's your excuse?

Van_Cougar — January 20, 2010 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )