This is a great infographic that illustrates just how wasteful the so-called "War On Drugs" has been. See my previous post about the City of Philadelphia's new stance on the decriminalization of the sticky-icky:
The Small Amount of Marijuana (SAM) program, which Williams implemented in June 2010, frees up prosecutors to concentrate on more serious crimes by treating arrests for marijuana possession of up to 30 grams - slightly more than an ounce - as a summary offense, rather than a misdemeanor. The misdemeanor charge carried a maximum penalty of 30 days' probation or jail time and a $500 fine.Awesome. Now, why can't the federal government get on board with something like this too -- or at least let the states figure it out....
Few minor pot arrests resulted in jail time even under the old system, but those found guilty of possession were left with a permanent criminal record.
Now, marijuana offenders pay $200 for a three-hour class about drug abuse, and their record is expunged. No trial, no judge, no court-appointed defense attorneys, no prosecutor, no lab tests to confirm the "leafy green substance" is actually marijuana, no cops getting paid overtime to testify.
created by: Online Paralegal Programs
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