Is It Hopeless?

[zooted999]

Last night I was searching through www.norml.org when I found a map of the United States, each state with its own policies about marijuana. Living in Florida, I naturally clicked on Florida-- just to see what would happen to me if I was busted with some pot.

It turns out, Florida is what's known as a MMS state (MMS - Mandatory Minimum Sentence) and if your caught with 25 grams or less, even if it's your first offense and you've done nothing wrong previously, your automically fined $1,000 and jailed for 1 year.

..1 year? An upstanding citizen with nothing on his record can be as young as 18, be a college student with a scholarship, take the time out to do some community service now and then, and he'll be jailed for a year, no questions asked. What's more, no judge has the power to overturn this MMS law. It's only black and white-- it doesn't matter if you've robbed banks or cured cancer, if your caught with 25 grams or less, your going to jail for 1 year.


Now besides just being alarmed, this was the first time I ever really wanted to do something about it. But realistically, can I? I'm just a freshman college kid, and what can I do about something I heavily disagree with? I'm not talking about what I can do to not get caught, I'm asking what can I do in order to take steps at changing this law?

It seems so uncoordinated to think that if your caught with the same in New York, your given a fine. Fuck up a second time and... you still only get a fine if it's 25 (possibly 35, I forgt) grams or less (On both occasions).

Basically, I want to try and do anything in order to at least bring this ridiculously unfair policy to people's attention... but what can I do?


Thanks.

zooted999 Reviewed by zooted999 on 09-29-2005. Is It Hopeless? Last night I was searching through www.norml.org when I found a map of the United States, each state with its own policies about marijuana. Living in Florida, I naturally clicked on Florida-- just to see what would happen to me if I was busted with some pot. It turns out, Florida is what's known as a MMS state (MMS - Mandatory Minimum Sentence) and if your caught with 25 grams or less, even if it's your first offense and you've done nothing wrong previously, your automically fined $1,000 Rating: 5

[ladyM]

check the site a little closer, theres info about activism in your state listed. thanks for the site adress tho, it was very informative. check out pa, it sucks here

[BDubz26062]

ohio aint bad here at all

[Ferre]

Yes, it's hopeless. I wouldn't go to the US for a million dollars, I wouldn't even go there if they offered me 10 million dollars. It's not only the drugs laws that are insane in that country. Their complete administration is insane and all the laws they come up with.

[Miss Green]

Yeah that does seem fucked up get jail for a yr for 25grms of pot gees it's beyond belief and that's if you've done nothing else wrong,so what if you have done something else how long will you be locked up for then?Yeah look when I was a kid I wanted to go to the usa but now I don't because I don't agree with how they run the country and most importantly what they are doing in other countries.I don't know what to suggest except try and get a party started or join one in your local area if there is already a party,get petitions up i'm not to sure what else to say.....it's outrages.

[FLORIDA MON]

Speaking of Florida....ANY amount of hashish is a felony. That's right, even 1/5 gram!

[athena]

[/QUOTE] Now besides just being alarmed, this was the first time I ever really wanted to do something about it. But realistically, can I? I'm just a freshman college kid, and what can I do about something I heavily disagree with? I'm not talking about what I can do to not get caught, I'm asking what can I do in order to take steps at changing this law?



Basically, I want to try and do anything in order to at least bring this ridiculously unfair policy to people's attention... but what can I do?


Thanks.[/QUOTE]

have you heard of students for sensible drug policy http://www.ssdp.org/

also, maybe you could write your senator or state representative with your concerns.

best of luck with your activism :thumbsup:

~athena