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OfflineNetDiver
Wandering Mindfuck


Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 6,024
Loc: Everywhere and Nowhere
Last seen: 1 year, 7 months
Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint * 1
    #18953561 - 10/09/13 10:14 AM (10 years, 4 months ago)

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Despite continued statements from the US Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice saying that prosecuting marijuana smokers are not a priority for federal law enforcement agencies, two marijuana reform activists are facing up to six months in federal prison for smoking a simple marijuana joint.

Activist  Chris Goldstein, co-chair of Philly NORML, the Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and co-defendant Don DeZarn, a candidate for the New Jersey Senate’s 14th legislative district, are each facing six months in federal prison and/or a $1000 fine for smoking a  joint in protest of federal cannabis prohibition laws at Independence Mall National Historic Park in August.

While most cannabis possession offenses that occur on national park property results in a $175 fine, the US Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has refused to allow the two pro-cannabis activists to pay a simple fine, instead they must appear in Federal Magistrate Court on October 24, 2013 at 10:30 AM.

Goldstein and DeZarn have both been cited twice in the last year during the monthly Smoke Down Prohibition protests in Philadelphia, which take place in an public space designated for First Amendment activity in the shadow of the Liberty Bell.

Both defendants spoke at the rallies, and then participated in planned civil disobedience actions in protest of federal laws prohibiting marijuana.  Both were arrested by US Park Rangers for the possession of a controlled substance.

But do Goldstein and DeZarn deserve six months in prison for symbolically smoking marijuana in a peaceful protest in the shadows of the Liberty Bell, symbolic of the freedoms provided to American citizens?

“The federal government should not make a practice to targeting marijuana reform activists for their harshest legal treatment,” says Goldstein.

Because very few simple marijuana possession cases go before federal courts every year, Goldstein says that it is important to offer the most vigorous legal defense possible. To that end, the pair has established a legal defense fund on fundraising website GoFundMe, and are hoping to raise $10,000 to cover attorney costs.

The Smoke Down Prohibition protests in Philadelphia have been an ongoing monthly rally, that began peacefully and didn’t see the first arrests until May of this year.  Since then, Assistant US Attorney Richard Goldberg and an large presence of federal law enforcement personnel have been on hand to make arrests and prosecute protesters.

From December 2012 through April 2013 there were no citations or arrests at “Smoke Down Prohibition” gatherings and hundreds of people took part. Beginning in May 2013, a massive and expensive multi-agency police response has been mounted against the peaceful protest. National Park Service Rangers, US Fish and Wild officers along with dozens of Philadelphia Police, SEPTA Transit Police and armed Department of Homeland Security agents have been present to intimidate participants and issue a handful of citations.

“The US Department of Justice has been very clear in repeatedly publishing memos telling federal agencies not to use their resources to target individual cannabis consumers,” said Goldstein in September.

“It seems like those same agencies in Philadelphia are ignoring that direction and going a step further by attempting to encroach on our First Amendment rights.”

For those who have a few bucks to spare to help support the joint legal defense fund for the two activists, you may do so here: http://www.gofundme.com/4pavyc

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/25820/pennsylvania-marijuana-activists-face-six-months-federal-prison-joint/


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OfflineAlmond Flour
...get off my lawn!
Male


Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 11,340
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Re: Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint [Re: NetDiver]
    #18953590 - 10/09/13 10:21 AM (10 years, 4 months ago)

I admire these people being martyrs to wake people up against unjust Marijuana laws but they should be doing this a different way.

Follow the democracy, and host protests WITHOUT lighting up joints. He could be accomplishing just as much and still enjoying Marijuana in the privacy of his home without getting fucked with by the government to make an example out of him. At this point they arnt even punishing him for Marijuana. Its the disrespect and way he went about his believes. If you are gonna rock the boat, you better make DAMN sure you are blameless 


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Hippies and Liberals love Pope Francis, so why dont I quote him for you guys. "There is NO SALVATION outside the Catholic Church" :morningtoke:


Edited by Almond Flour (10/09/13 10:22 AM)


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OfflineKonyap

Registered: 06/30/07
Posts: 33,945
Loc: Planet Piss
Last seen: 4 years, 3 months
Re: Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint [Re: Almond Flour]
    #18953624 - 10/09/13 10:29 AM (10 years, 4 months ago)

Some guy got a life sentence for some meth that filled the bottom of a envelope

Another got life for being ratted on, no evidence

People get lifes all the time for their third felony sometimes it's just a little ball of this or that or a tubesock and that's it.


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Offlinedokunai
Cactus, Cannabis, Cubensis

Registered: 01/31/10
Posts: 1,878
Loc: Hyphal Heights, USA
Last seen: 7 years, 1 month
Re: Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint [Re: Almond Flour] * 1
    #18953697 - 10/09/13 10:49 AM (10 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

Almond Flour said:
I admire these people being martyrs to wake people up against unjust Marijuana laws but they should be doing this a different way.

Follow the democracy, and host protests WITHOUT lighting up joints. He could be accomplishing just as much and still enjoying Marijuana in the privacy of his home without getting fucked with by the government to make an example out of him. At this point they arnt even punishing him for Marijuana. Its the disrespect and way he went about his believes. If you are gonna rock the boat, you better make DAMN sure you are blameless 




You know what the first amendment and civil disobedience are, right?  The government should not be making examples of peaceful, non-disruptive protesters.  This is much more about cops being willing to do anything to protect their jobs, departmental funding, and fat overtime checks that all arise from marijuana arrests and seizures.  Drug legalization will result in a large, necessary reduction in work force for law enforcement.  Drug warriors feel entitled to not have to change jobs or learn new skills, even at the cost of millions of peoples' freedom.  That's what this is about, not about smoking a joint being disrespectful.


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OfflineAlmond Flour
...get off my lawn!
Male


Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 11,340
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Re: Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint [Re: dokunai]
    #18953712 - 10/09/13 10:53 AM (10 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

dokunai said:
Quote:

Almond Flour said:
I admire these people being martyrs to wake people up against unjust Marijuana laws but they should be doing this a different way.

Follow the democracy, and host protests WITHOUT lighting up joints. He could be accomplishing just as much and still enjoying Marijuana in the privacy of his home without getting fucked with by the government to make an example out of him. At this point they arnt even punishing him for Marijuana. Its the disrespect and way he went about his believes. If you are gonna rock the boat, you better make DAMN sure you are blameless 




You know what the first amendment and civil disobedience are, right?  The government should not be making examples of peaceful, non-disruptive protesters.  This is much more about cops being willing to do anything to protect their jobs, departmental funding, and fat overtime checks that all arise from marijuana arrests and seizures.  Drug legalization will result in a large, necessary reduction in work force for law enforcement.  Drug warriors feel entitled to not have to change jobs or learn new skills, even at the cost of millions of peoples' freedom.  That's what this is about, not about smoking a joint being disrespectful.




Thats pure speculation and  warped logic. Anti drug laws are about brainwashing and crooked views that continue to be spread. There is not some Illuminati conspiracy theory with cops coveting their jobs. Even with Marijuana legalized it would not reduce our police force.


--------------------
Hippies and Liberals love Pope Francis, so why dont I quote him for you guys. "There is NO SALVATION outside the Catholic Church" :morningtoke:


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OfflineKonyap

Registered: 06/30/07
Posts: 33,945
Loc: Planet Piss
Last seen: 4 years, 3 months
Re: Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint [Re: dokunai] * 1
    #18953744 - 10/09/13 11:03 AM (10 years, 4 months ago)

I don't think it's the weed laws themselves. I think that they just like having probable cause and weed is plenty for them to rip apart shit and crack skulls.

It's like in New York with stop and frisk. They NEED that little gateway to get the statistics they do otherwise they have to do detective work which cost time and drug money.


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OfflineLord_McLovin
mad scientist on shrooms
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Registered: 04/09/11
Posts: 3,071
Loc: infinite dimensional void
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
Re: Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint [Re: Almond Flour]
    #18954396 - 10/09/13 01:28 PM (10 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

Almond Flour said:
I admire these people being martyrs to wake people up against unjust Marijuana laws but they should be doing this a different way.

Follow the democracy, and host protests WITHOUT lighting up joints. He could be accomplishing just as much and still enjoying Marijuana in the privacy of his home without getting fucked with by the government to make an example out of him. At this point they arnt even punishing him for Marijuana. Its the disrespect and way he went about his believes. If you are gonna rock the boat, you better make DAMN sure you are blameless 




They're gonna fuck with you if you smoke in public or not. It was an open act of civil disobedience and they knew what could be coming, yes. I do not think that your comment is going to help them and I also do not think that you would have the spine or the belief in the justness of the cause to do it.


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Stand up. You're not alone.


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OfflineAlmond Flour
...get off my lawn!
Male


Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 11,340
Last seen: 8 years, 4 months
Re: Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint [Re: Lord_McLovin]
    #18954430 - 10/09/13 01:37 PM (10 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

Lord_McLovin said:
Quote:

Almond Flour said:
I admire these people being martyrs to wake people up against unjust Marijuana laws but they should be doing this a different way.

Follow the democracy, and host protests WITHOUT lighting up joints. He could be accomplishing just as much and still enjoying Marijuana in the privacy of his home without getting fucked with by the government to make an example out of him. At this point they arnt even punishing him for Marijuana. Its the disrespect and way he went about his believes. If you are gonna rock the boat, you better make DAMN sure you are blameless 




They're gonna fuck with you if you smoke in public or not. It was an open act of civil disobedience and they knew what could be coming, yes. I do not think that your comment is going to help them and I also do not think that you would have the spine or the belief in the justness of the cause to do it.




For Marijuana? Fuck no. Im not gonna send myself to prison over a god damn plant that can be enjoyed securely and almost legally in most states. If you arent being stupid, using it for personal purposes, and not dealing it there is NO way you will end up in that much trouble.

There are definitly somethings I would stand up for and go to jail for....but Marijuana :rolleyes:


--------------------
Hippies and Liberals love Pope Francis, so why dont I quote him for you guys. "There is NO SALVATION outside the Catholic Church" :morningtoke:


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InvisibleDark_Star
train driver pervading a desktop
Male User Gallery

Registered: 08/20/04
Posts: 31,859
Loc: Uranus
Re: Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint [Re: Lord_McLovin]
    #18954491 - 10/09/13 01:53 PM (10 years, 4 months ago)

Quote:

Lord_McLovin said:
Quote:

Almond Flour said:
I admire these people being martyrs to wake people up against unjust Marijuana laws but they should be doing this a different way.

Follow the democracy, and host protests WITHOUT lighting up joints. He could be accomplishing just as much and still enjoying Marijuana in the privacy of his home without getting fucked with by the government to make an example out of him. At this point they arnt even punishing him for Marijuana. Its the disrespect and way he went about his believes. If you are gonna rock the boat, you better make DAMN sure you are blameless 




They're gonna fuck with you if you smoke in public or not. It was an open act of civil disobedience and they knew what could be coming, yes. I do not think that your comment is going to help them and I also do not think that you would have the spine or the belief in the justness of the cause to do it.





Not necessarily. I found this article surprising, considering where the bust took place. Most cops in Philly don't give a rat's ass about weed. Last 420 some stick-up-the-ass tried to get the police in Fairmount Park to bust people smoking, and they blew the dude off. They have much more important things to do than harass folks for weed.


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OfflineRockhound
The Rockweiler
Male User Gallery


Registered: 01/19/13
Posts: 664
Loc: hell creek anticline
Last seen: 8 years, 8 months
Re: Pennsylvania Marijuana Activists Face Six Months in Federal Prison for a Joint [Re: Almond Flour] * 1
    #18954638 - 10/09/13 02:24 PM (10 years, 4 months ago)

The drug war has built its own little variety of the military-industrial complex, and these cops, judges, prison guards, drug testing facilities, dare programs, court-ordered substance abuse councilers, probation and parole officers are not going to just admit to their families, friends, and themselves they were wrong and give up. These people have made careers out of 'drugs are bad, mmkay?', and will not go quietly.


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Rocks speak to me, and tell me this:
The Hell Creek formation is a gigantic slab of rocks that covers several western states. It contains an account of the dinosaurs' demise.  In the late Cretaceous period, the first Cannabis species appear, and soon after, all the non-bird dinosaurs disappeared. Obviously, marihuana killed the dinosaurs. That giant meteor that smacked the yucatan peninsula right afterwards, coincidence.


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