Should ‘criminals’ in jail who were charged with Marijuana possession be released in states where it’s now legal?

[JustinTheGreat]

[Lliam]

Everyone in jail for marijuana possession should be released.

Making it a crime to possess or grow marijuana is a crime.

It was originally a scam by William Randolph Hearst and DuPont to corner the market on paper made from wood pulp. And it was also driven by racism by people like Harry Anslinger.

Abraham Lincoln once said that his favorite thing to do was to sit on his front porch playing the harmonica and smoking "sweet hemp".

Marijuana is an herb. It is not toxic. And it is far less dangerous than alcohol.

It should be legalized. It would take profits from organized crime and make the streets safer, just as did the legalization of alcohol after prohibition.

[jammcm]

I have seen the good side and the bad side of Marijuana use. Saying this I think laws should be consistent. I am old enough to lived through the "Blue Laws", the varied liquor laws. It is time to make Marijuana legal in all states and release those who have been convicted of possession.

[WhitneySnow]

I think they are being released. Like I know in my home state you can get your conviction for possession of weed expunged if you file some papers.

[petitedollbabee]

Absolutely. The punishment for marijuana possession is ridiculous.

[JoeMichael67]

They should be released in every state. Alcohol is more dangerous than weed will ever be.

[JustinTheGreat]

I agree

[BoopBoopBeep]

No for the same reason we don't jail people for things they did that later became a crime. They knew the law when they broke it. May be a dumb law. Many of them are, but it's still the law you broke knowingly and willingly.

[strateguy632]

exactly the people who say free is because oppose the law so say to ignore it only because they think law is wrong.

[OfMiceandMen]

I had actually wondered this myself. It was legalized in Canada, so what do we do about those people who are serving a sentence for possession?

Obviously, those with possession and intent to sell, is a different story.

[AviatorTom]

No, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level. Transporting someone from one state to another triggers the federal law (interstate commerce), which means the act of moving them to another state would, in itself, be a crime.

[JustinTheGreat]

I meant they would get released in the states where it’s legal, not transport them
So if someone is locked up In Massachusetts where it’s legal now, they would get out

[AviatorTom]

@JustinTheGreat That's different, thanks for the clarification. I could see them getting release for time served when possession is now legal... but only for users of small amounts, not dealers. The courts would need to get involved though (most likely on an individual case basis) since they were sentenced when it was illegal, and that sentence is legally justified.

[mandyfire98]

Absolutely. Punishment for marijuana is dumb. Far more serious things in this world.

[BootsLover94]

Of course yes seems silly to have people lock up for something that is now legal

[Massageman]

Ex post facto is prohibited in the Constitution- works both ways.

[TooHot2Care]

Remember when judges told people "Marijuana ruins families."

The lies we told ourselves or let ourselves believe are just so retarded in hindsight.

[Truckfan01]

Yes released and there pot given back to them

[andreasderjuengere]

By any means - yes.

Unless in individual cases they wish to remain 'inside'.

[Azizdarealist]

No. They broke the law at the time it was illegal. FYI: I believe all drugs/substances should be legal.

[DizzyDesii]

I dont really care about those smokers tbh

[Titlover01]

Yes they should be released

[007kingifrit]

no they're still trash

[riverrat3]

Yess

[REX_JSWL]

Nope

[MissBoogus]

Yes .