Federal Bill Mandating 10 Years To Life For Pot Sales Reintroduced In Congress Washington, DC: House Judiciary Chair F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has reintroduced legislation in Congress that seeks to impose mandatory minimum sentences on defendants who furnish a controlled substance, including marijuana, to any individual under 18 years of age or who has previously been enrolled in a drug treatment program. The bill, H.R. 1528, was approved last week by the House Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and is now pending before the full Committee. Under H.R. 1528, any person age 21 or over who attempts or conspires to offer marijuana to someone younger than 18 years old shall face a mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison. The mandatory penalty for a subsequent violation of the statute is life in prison. Defendants found to have distributed marijuana near a drug treatment facility, or who have offered it to someone who is currently or has previously been enrolled in drug treatment, would receive a mandatory prison sentence of five years to life under the proposal. Sensenbrenner's bill also seeks to impose mandatory minimum sentences on defendants who have manufactured or distributed marijuana near various public and private establishments, including libraries, daycare centers, and video arcades, as well as impose life imprisonment upon individuals convicted of their third drug felony. NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre called Sensenbrenner's proposal "draconian," stating that it would shift sentencing discretion away from courts to prosecutors and would sharply increase the number of non-violent offenders in prison. For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre of NORML at (202) 483-5500. Additional information on H.R. 1528 is available on NORML's website at: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=7419321
I don't understand how they can put age limits on shit when its not even legal anyways. I could see them saying somebody over 21 who sells alcohol could get in more trouble then an 18 year old who sold some alcohol. But a 21 who sells some pot to a younger person can get in more trouble? That just dosent make sense. They need to start cracking down on people who do serious shit not people who smoke a lil pot.
they need to work on the gun situation more than the pot situation. This douchebag obviously doesn't know what the fuck hes talling about proposing this shit. Locking people up for 10 years for slingin a little dope is just gonna cost people more money, because theres going to be more people in jail, etc.
Exactly. This new bill is completely bullshit, a shift from the important issues (iraq, social security) to the increased control of drugs. A person's body is their own, to do what they wish. Why are synthesized copies of heroin and opiates out on the market as painkillers, yet one of the most natural and easily available (if it was legal) substances is outlawed and continually scrutanized(sp?). IT'S ALL FUCKING CORPORATE! With this new federal bill, if it passes, just hope that your state's laws override it locally.
At least the US Government is cutting funds to end the marijuana war. Theyve begun focusing on real drug problems like E and Meth. As people who smoke pot, we cannot sit here and complain, we need to remember how we felt in 15 years when it becomes our bloody desicion.
