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fapjack
Title



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Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences 4
#19496081 - 01/30/14 11:50 AM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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http://swampland.time.com/2014/01/30/barack-obama-drug-sentences-commute/
The Obama administration is continuing its push to get low-level, non-violent drug offenders out of prison.
At a New York Bar Association meeting on Thursday, Deputy Attorney General James Cole will ask lawyers to find such convicts to recommend to President Barack Obama for sentence commutation, the Justice Department said. This after Obama commuted the sentences of eight prisoners who were serving lengthy time for crack-cocaine offenses. Now the Justice Department is urging lawyers to find more.
“There is more to be done, because there are others like the eight who were granted clemency,” Cole will say, according to prepared remarks. “There are more low-level, non-violent drug offenders who remain in prison, and who would likely have received a substantially lower sentence if convicted of precisely the same offenses today. This is not fair, and it harms our criminal justice system.”
The Federal Bureau of Prisons will also begin advising prisoners on how to apply for commutations and connecting them with lawyers and organizations that can assist them further.
The American Civil Liberties Union called the administration’s move an “an important step toward undoing the damage that extreme sentencing has done to so many in our criminal justice system.”
The Obama administration has been reforming the criminal justice system’s handling of low-level drug offenders, particularly as it relates to crack-cocaine. In 2010, Obama signed a law reducing the disparity between sentences for crack and powder cocaine convictions. In August, the administration issued guidance to judges on how to determine whether or not a defendant should serve a mandatory minimum sentence. The guidance can be applied to future and pending cases.
In order to qualify under the new sentencing guidelines, a defendant or inmate must be a low-level, non-violent offender with no connection to a large-scale cartel or organization.
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FreeTheSoul
The wonderer.

Registered: 01/04/14
Posts: 2,297
Last seen: 2 years, 2 months
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: fapjack]
#19496105 - 01/30/14 11:57 AM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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I like this.
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Konyap

Registered: 06/30/07
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: FreeTheSoul]
#19496150 - 01/30/14 12:11 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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rather then throw them in prison for a few months why not get them in drug treatment programs that cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars?
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aphorism
extrasensory perception



Registered: 04/20/13
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: Konyap]
#19496259 - 01/30/14 12:43 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Or we could stop persecuting people for their life choices based upon prejudice and a subjective perception of morality entirely.
Treatment is only effective for those who want it or are at least open to it, and not everyone who is arrested for drugs needs treatment or even has a problem.
I think treatment makes sense as a sentence for actual crimes committed because of an addiction, but not for possession.
Edited by aphorism (01/30/14 12:53 PM)
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fatflash
Commodore


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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: aphorism]
#19496277 - 01/30/14 12:51 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
aphorism said: Or we could stop persecuting people for their life choices based upon prejudice and a subjective perception of morality entirely.
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sh4d0ws
LSx


Registered: 02/26/08
Posts: 12,086
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: aphorism] 1
#19496281 - 01/30/14 12:53 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Why not commute some sentences of non violent drug manufacturers/producers or something like that?
This seems kind of fucked up, sure those crack dealers were given hefty sentences, but I can also guarantee they probably did not run a "non violent" drug business....
Despite the fact that I truly believe pickard is a snitch...he was a non violent lsd producer who's stuck in prison for life....
Even worse then those crack sentences
Fuck you obama, go hit some crack with your brothers
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FreeTheSoul
The wonderer.

Registered: 01/04/14
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: aphorism]
#19496307 - 01/30/14 01:00 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
aphorism said: Or we could stop persecuting people for their life choices based upon prejudice and a subjective perception of morality entirely.
Treatment is only effective for those who want it or are at least open to it, and not everyone who is arrested for drugs needs treatment or even has a problem.
I think treatment makes sense as a sentence for actual crimes committed because of an addiction, but not for possession.
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NWlight
Just look


Registered: 01/12/10
Posts: 18,686
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: FreeTheSoul]
#19496426 - 01/30/14 01:29 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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facing criminal charges now myself but it hasnt been resolved... does this mean smaller chance of jail for possession charges?
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HardTrippin
The Ambivalent



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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: FreeTheSoul]
#19496486 - 01/30/14 01:42 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
FreeTheSoul said:
Quote:
aphorism said: Or we could stop persecuting people for their life choices based upon prejudice and a subjective perception of morality entirely.
Treatment is only effective for those who want it or are at least open to it, and not everyone who is arrested for drugs needs treatment or even has a problem.
I think treatment makes sense as a sentence for actual crimes committed because of an addiction, but not for possession.

The article doesn't say they were selling crack cocaine. They were most likely in possession of small amounts, and yes, prison sentences for crack cocaine are much higher than for powder, and this is a form of racism because crack is predominantly smoked by blacks. Obama can't just take every drug offender out of prison at once (especially being the first Black president), however, this is a great place to start.
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NWlight
Just look


Registered: 01/12/10
Posts: 18,686
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentence [Re: HardTrippin]
#19496518 - 01/30/14 01:49 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Well then putting someone in Jail for psychedelics is racist against white people. Y'all know a ton of black people who smoke DMT? Didn't think so
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AllGreyThumbs
Storage Container Aficionado


Registered: 09/18/12
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentence [Re: NWlight]
#19496626 - 01/30/14 02:09 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Putting people in jail for psychedelics is akin to putting people in jail for their religious and spiritual beliefs as many of us do do use them as a part of a process of self exploration.
-------------------- I only use drugs medicinally. If I don't my knees hurt from kneeling down.
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fapjack
Title



Registered: 07/26/07
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentence [Re: AllGreyThumbs]
#19497373 - 01/30/14 04:14 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Hopefully the guy that got locked up for life for LSD (guy was trying to find people to write to him) hears about this and can get family and friends to try and help him out. He would be a prime candidate for this.
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Stonehenge
Alt Center


Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 14,850
Loc: S.E.
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentence [Re: fapjack] 1
#19497436 - 01/30/14 04:27 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Its just another empty speech, a pr move. He will commute the sentences for a dozen or so and make a big deal out of it. Meanwhile, he keeps everything illegal including pot on the federal level. He keeps busting medical mj providers under any excuse. I give him zero credit for this latest empty gesture.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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fanta_se
Desert Soul



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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentence [Re: NWlight]
#19499241 - 01/30/14 11:13 PM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
NWlight said: Well then putting someone in Jail for psychedelics is racist against white people. Y'all know a ton of black people who smoke DMT? Didn't think so
Marcel Everett
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xxyyxx
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Proudly made in New Mexico.
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Enlil
OTD God-King




Registered: 08/16/03
Posts: 65,472
Loc: Uncanny Valley
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: NWlight]
#19500292 - 01/31/14 08:31 AM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
NWlight said: facing criminal charges now myself but it hasnt been resolved... does this mean smaller chance of jail for possession charges?
You aren't facing federal charges, so it doesn't really have any effect. Having said that, It does mark a bit of a policy shift that could certainly be argued at your sentencing...if you get to that point.
-------------------- Censoring opposing views since 2014. Ask an Attorney Fuck the Amish
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bryguy27007
Cosmonaut



Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 10,525
Loc:
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: sh4d0ws]
#19500422 - 01/31/14 09:06 AM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
sh4d0ws said: Why not commute some sentences of non violent drug manufacturers/producers or something like that?
This seems kind of fucked up, sure those crack dealers were given hefty sentences, but I can also guarantee they probably did not run a "non violent" drug business....
Despite the fact that I truly believe pickard is a snitch...he was a non violent lsd producer who's stuck in prison for life....
Even worse then those crack sentences
Fuck you obama, go hit some crack with your brothers
I agree with you. At the same time though, we're taking baby steps in the right direction. And I'm very excited. The tide's have shifted and the pendulum is in motion. It's only a matter of time baby.
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Stonehenge
Alt Center


Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 14,850
Loc: S.E.
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: bryguy27007]
#19500556 - 01/31/14 09:57 AM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Yeah, baby steps instead of real action. Its not like this hasn't been discussed forever. Its all a publicity stunt. He pardons a handful out of millions and gets credit for doing something when he has done nothing. 5 years in office and still nothing. People are too easy too fool, as seen by some replies in this thread.
Still he keeps medical pot illegal. He has made some talk about going easy on medical patients but he manages to find lots of excuses to prosecute caregivers and medical suppliers. Throw his ass out on the street (or in jail) and put jesse ventura in there. Or damn near anyone else.
Before anyone can tell me he doesn't make the laws, he made it clear he will create law unilaterally if congress doesn't do as he wishes. He could legalize pot with one of those executive orders, or stop the ndaa, or reign in the nsa but he does none of that. He made more raids on medical providers in legal states than bush did.
-------------------- “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” (attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville political philosopher Circa 1835) Trade list http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/18047755
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bryguy27007
Cosmonaut



Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 10,525
Loc:
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: Stonehenge]
#19500578 - 01/31/14 10:05 AM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Yeah, I have the curse of the optimist.
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Enlil
OTD God-King




Registered: 08/16/03
Posts: 65,472
Loc: Uncanny Valley
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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: Stonehenge]
#19500704 - 01/31/14 10:51 AM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Stonehenge said: He pardons a handful out of millions and gets credit for doing something when he has done nothing.
There aren't even close to a million prisoners in federal prison, and he can't do anything about people convicted under state law.
-------------------- Censoring opposing views since 2014. Ask an Attorney Fuck the Amish
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empty space
the void


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Re: Barack Obama Wants to Commute More Low-Level Drug Convict Sentences [Re: Enlil]
#19500943 - 01/31/14 11:47 AM (9 years, 11 months ago) |
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What constitutes a 'low-level drug dealer'?
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