>James Siebe, a lawyer in Coeur d’Alene, put it another way: “Come on vacation, leave on probation.”
Who the hell is going to Idaho for a vacation aside from neo-Nazis.
Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
21–30 of 78 posts
Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
#22As already pointed out in another comment, don't volunteer that you have pot on you. At least make 'em work for it. Oh, you were thinking they were going to go easier on you? It doesn't work that way. On the one hand, yes, current marijuana laws in most states and at the federal level are ridiculous and unproductive. On the other hand, as a Washington resident what do you think I left at home on a recent motorcycle t…
Can you get in trouble for lying to a police officer?
Yes, absolutely. You are safer not saying anything.
Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
#23Marijuana laws are much like gun laws - you live in the US, but legal activity in one place is a felony worthy of decades in prison a few miles away - in the same country. It's mind-numbing that a citizen of the US would have to know 50 sets of laws just to travel around their own country.
We have a Federal system, though states' rights have been weakened over time. A US State has sovereignty that the Feds may not impede on. The boundary between state sovereignty and national sovereignty has been contentious throughout history. States rights are good because it allows California to be a leader in emissions laws (example.) States rights are bad because they make inter-state commerce and travel more peri…
Hence the name 'United States', and not Germany or Canada.
Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
#24It says 14% of americans smoke pot. I think that sounds accurate. That is 44 MILLION people in case you were wondering.
That is impossible and does not even pass a basic math. 317,493,212 is the current population. If you discard people under 15 and over 70 you are left with the you have (219685604) that means 20% of the US smoke pot. Pot people always like to over inflate the usage number, but 14% too funny. Even in states where its legal, it would not reach 20%.
1 in 5 adults is "impossible"? By what logic? There is nothing remotely impossible about that.
Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
#25Jurors deciding not to convict (Jury Nullification http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification ) would speed along a change in law but the penalties for possession are so harsh that most people take the deal in plea bargain.
Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
#26Jurors deciding not to convict (Jury Nullification http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification ) would speed along a change in law but the penalties for possession are so harsh that most people take the deal in plea bargain.
I can't see an Arizona jury making this leap to rescue a Mr. Patel.
Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
#27I'll never understand the logic behind this. How come cancer patients or people recovering from surgery with powerful opiates aren't thrown in prison? Why is possessing a chemical used medically a crime? (This is mostly rhetorical, but still sad.)
Authorities will ruin an individual's life and nobody will really think much of it. There's no accountability. No logic or sense to pop up at some point and say "this isn't right." No, if they can find a way, they will ruin your life for the most harmless matter.
Meanwhile another suburban soccer mom/dad doctor-shops and snags another prescription for fully legal, powerful opiates. He/she eventually overdoses and dies. Nothing is done.
Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
#28Even if the cop sees the card, is it probable cause for a search? Comparing it to gun laws and interstate travel, a gun permit seen in a wallet probably wouldn't lead to a search if the driver simply said there is no gun in the vehicle. Pot seems like it would be under more scrutiny in a red state than guns sadly.
Interesting question. INAL but I would suggest it's not reasonable grounds for search.
Either way in this situation the defendant not only allowed the search but pointed out where to find the drugs.
Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
#29As already pointed out in another comment, don't volunteer that you have pot on you. At least make 'em work for it. Oh, you were thinking they were going to go easier on you? It doesn't work that way. On the one hand, yes, current marijuana laws in most states and at the federal level are ridiculous and unproductive. On the other hand, as a Washington resident what do you think I left at home on a recent motorcycle t…
Can you get in trouble for lying to a police officer?
Yes and no. Lying in routine questioning isn't obstruction of justice until an investigation is underway. It would fall under the right to not self-incriminate otherwise a cop could just walk the street and ask everyone "do you smoke pot?". You also have the right not to self incriminate on an obstruction of justice charge!
Basically the closer you get to a jury and a judge the worse the charge for lying is. So if lying stands a good chance of keeping you far far away, you lie your ass off.
Re: Marijuana Law Mayhem Splits U.S. In Two as Travelers Get Busted
#30Marijuana laws are much like gun laws - you live in the US, but legal activity in one place is a felony worthy of decades in prison a few miles away - in the same country. It's mind-numbing that a citizen of the US would have to know 50 sets of laws just to travel around their own country.
We have a Federal system, though states' rights have been weakened over time. A US State has sovereignty that the Feds may not impede on. The boundary between state sovereignty and national sovereignty has been contentious throughout history. States rights are good because it allows California to be a leader in emissions laws (example.) States rights are bad because they make inter-state commerce and travel more peri…
And yet the legal age of drinking is magically 21 in the entire country. That one really makes my head spin.