Ron Paul, Barney Frank Introduce Bill to End Pot Prohibition

[Chajara]

Considering that a lot of our prisons are now for-profit, the concept of lobbyists pushing for draconian drug laws and politicians taking the money and promises of a cushy retirement job in the industry and enacting those laws in return doesn't seem so far out, does it?

This is why we need to get rid of the for-profit prison system. They have a financial incentive to put as many people away as possible for as long a time as possible.

 

[RedDead1981]

It does strike me as very interesting that despite all the disagreements around here, nearly everyone seems to be in favor of pot decriminalization or legalization. Seems we do have some things in common, and if it's that accepted by the general population, why is it taking so long to even talk about legally accomplishing?

Decades of brainwashing, that's why. In many minds, pot is still the evil gateway drug that will lead to hard drugs, violent crime, etc etc. Thanks, DARE program.

 

[Zoooma]

It does strike me as very interesting that despite all the disagreements around here, nearly everyone seems to be in favor of pot decriminalization or legalization. Seems we do have some things in common, and if it's that accepted by the general population, why is it taking so long to even talk about legally accomplishing?

It would seem that The Powers That Be won't let it happen because:

A) those who smoke pot are "undesirable" and need to be put in prison. That would go directly against legalization.

B) prisons full to the rafters means money so evil Congress will do everything in their power to make sure the lobbyists are happy and that they get re-elected and so if that means locking up non-violent offenders, so be it. That would go directly against legalization. And this continues in a time when President Obama wants America to look kindler and gentler to the rest of the world? Prisons full up, especially with non-violent offenders, does not make America look good. Seems that would go against what Obama is about. Is he in on it? Or is it all Congress's doing behind Obama's back? Or is it something he just doesn't care about?

It's still way tin foil hat out there in Area 51 alien land to say that Congress has meetings to discuss how to keep prisons full. Still the only evidence that they do that isn't evidence at all, it's merely conjecture. We shouldn't be convicting people on conjecture. That's just not right.

 

[blueapplepaste]

Sure that's the effect but Douger claims that was the intention.

The prison lobby is quite powerful. When we start having prisons run by private companies trying to make money, they make money with more prisons and more prisoners.

I'm sure the WoD started out with good intentions, but it is a failed experiment of epic proportions. Anyone with common sense can see that. It is idiotic, at best, to continue it.

Marijuana should be fully legalized, taxed, and regulated, and all other drugs should be decriminalized.