Life without Parole for nonviolent Cannabis conviction

[planetdoc]

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dai...efforts_co.php



Efforts to release Jeff Mizanskey, the only man in Missouri serving a life-without-parole sentence for a nonviolent marijuana charge, are continuing this month with help from Show-Me Cannabis and Change.org.

Show-Me Cannabis has bought billboard space on I-70 near Kansas City (and near Sedalia, where Mizanskey was arrested). The billboard features a photo of Mizanskey and says: "Life without parole for cannabis? It's time we fix our unjust marijuana laws."

Jeff Mizanskey was convicted under Missouri's "Prior and Persistent Drug Offender" statute, the only drug-specific three-strike law in the country. Each of his felonies were for marijuana, the largest being approximately six pounds, which he didn't even have on him. To read the details of Mizanskey's story, go to: How a Missouri Man Could Die in Prison for Weed

[planetdoc]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

What is your point? What are you arguing about? That the cops ****ed up?

Ok, yes, i think we can all agree on that. The cops ****ed up and didn't abide by the law to bust their man. And....?

I was replying to all of your statements. There were some opinions I agreed with, while some of your statements were not accurate.

If you are having trouble understanding just read the quoted text (of your words) immediately followed by my reply to your quoted text.

[Mr. Laz]

The federal government just needs to legalize it and get it over with.

Grandfather in all crimes because they were still illegal when they occurred but revamp and streamline the parole/probation system so any marijuana crime that occurred without any other offense should be up for review/release immediately.

Lets me real here ... all the companies making money from jails are paying congress to keep pot illegal right now anyway. Congress is so corrupt, bought and paid for

They just INCREASED the amount that can be donated instead of reducing it, under the bullshit theory that donations are a form of free speech. Hogwash, it's just legalized bribery. You couldn't go down to the local courthouse and give a juror money to vote a certain way in a case and congress is the highest law making court in the land.

[Braincase]

Legalize it, tax it. Drunk driving NFL football players are a bigger hazard.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by wazu

No. There's no "on the other hand" here. The punishment is absurd and ridiculous and in no way fits the crime. Not reflective of justice in any way, and an embarrassment for Missouri.

The guy was stupid enough to put himself in a 3 strike position and now he is paying the price. You would think after the 2nd time he would say "hey, I really don't want to spend the rest of my days behind bars perhaps I shouldn't do that again."

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by planetdoc

I would hope law enforcement authorities dont stoop to breaking the law to catch other law breakers.

I don't agree with this as a blanket statement. If the authorities know someone is a child molester, but can't prove it in a court of law. I don't give a shit if they fabricate evidence, lie on the stand, or do anything else to get that scumbag off of the streets.

[planetdoc]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

I don't agree with this as a blanket statement. If the authorities know someone is a child molester, but can't prove it in a court of law. I don't give a shit if they fabricate evidence, lie on the stand, or do anything else to get that scumbag off of the streets.

slippery slope.

They once fabricated evidence, and lied on the stand to get the child molester off the street and I didnt give a shit.
They than fabricated evidence, and lied on the stand to get my friends and loved ones off the street and I didnt give a shit.
Than they came for me and there was no one left with shit to give.

It is the job of law enforcement to gather evidence, and the job of prosecutors to work toward conviction. I dont want a corrupted legal system where LEO act as the gatherer of evidence, judge, and executioner.

"protecting the children" has long been used as the excuse to give up liberty and freedom. Too many people have been wrongly convicted in the US (312 found by the innocence project alone)....lets not make that worse by condoning institutionalized corruption.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

They just INCREASED the amount that can be donated instead of reducing it, under the bullshit theory that donations are a form of free speech. Hogwash, it's just legalized bribery. You couldn't go down to the local courthouse and give a juror money to vote a certain way in a case and congress is the highest law making court in the land.

That's an EXCELLENT analogy.

[TLO]

I'll roll and smoke a blunt just for him.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

The federal government just needs to legalize it and get it over with.

Grandfather in all crimes because they will still illegal when they occurred but revamp and streamline the parole/probation system so any marijuana crime that occurred without any other offense should be up for review/release immediately.

Lets me real here ... all the companies making money from jails are paying congress to keep pot illegal right now anyway. Congress is so corrupt, bought and paid for

They just INCREASED the amount that can be donated instead of reducing it, under the bullshit theory that donations are a form of free speech. Hogwash, it's just legalized bribery. You couldn't go down to the local courthouse and give a juror money to vote a certain way in a case and congress is the highest law making court in the land.

There needs to be a constitutional amendment on term limits on all congressman and the system of bribery, erhhh, lobbying needs to be outlawed. The only way that will happen is if the people have had enough.

[Mr. Kotter]

Six pounds....just recreational use, heh.

[WhiteWhale]

The united states criminal justice system is a ****ing travesty.

[Chaunceythe3rd]

Originally Posted by cdcox

What if it was a genetically engineered Venus fly trap that was capable of eating a human and it was created for the specific intent of throwing in your dog groomer? What then, huh? Huh? What then?

This. A thoughtful response and worthy of consideration. "What then?", indeed.

[Easy 6]

I understand the arguments that say "hey, this guy is so stupid maybe he doesn't deserve to be free"... but my bottom line is that the only reason someone should spend the rest of their life behind bars is either a serial rapist or a cold blooded murderer.

Being too stupid to look after his own best interests and stop selling in Missouri, doesn't mean he deserves to rot in jail the rest of his natural life for breaking outdated laws.

I'm willing to bet this guys story isn't over, hopefully enough light is shed on this to help make some legal changes.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by scott free

but my bottom line is that the only reason someone should spend the rest of their life behind bars is either a serial rapist or a cold blooded murderer.

Really?

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by scott free

I understand the arguments that say "hey, this guy is so stupid maybe he doesn't deserve to be free"... but my bottom line is that the only reason someone should spend the rest of their life behind bars is either a serial rapist or a cold blooded murderer.

And Pedophiles.