is someone actually LISTENING to me??? to US???
is someone finally hearing all of us out there that know that the “war on drugs” is not only a complete fraud to begin with, but a complete failure as a result of the less than ethical practices it was bred from and continues to breed???
ummmm… maybe.
here in my city, the city of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, {only heightened by the usage of a harmless li’l plant called marijuana} it seems our new District Attorney Seth Williams agrees.
according to Philly.com, it was reported yesterday that Williams and the state Supreme Court are moving to “all but decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use” in an effort to unclog Philadelphia’s crowded court dockets.of course it isn’t ACTUAL decriminalization because pot is still illegal by FEDERAL law.
however, under a new policy set to 
take effect later this month, prosecutors will charge cases in which people are arrested with up to 30 grams of weed, a little more than an ounce, as summary offenses rather than as misdemeanors. the offender may have to pay a fine but don’t face the risk of a criminal record.
now, on the surface, this seems like a bit of a break, just in time for summer, right?
WRONG. WRONG. *in my Charlie Murphy voice*
according to a Philadelphia police spokesman the PPD is “not going to stop locking people up … our officers are trained to do that. Whether or not they make it through the charging process, that’s up to the D.A. We can’t control that. Until they legalize it, we’re not going to stop.”
and wut’s worse? according to PhillyNORML.com, arrests for minor marijuana offenses have been growing steadily over the last 5 years. in 2008 there were 4716 adults who faced the stand-alone violation of possession less than 30 grams. There is also a racial disparity to the arrests with over 70% being black men.
black men who COULD be more productive members of our society without bullshit marijuana charges on their records.
i plan to keep a slanted, red eye on this one… ya know?
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