Life sentence for drug dealing

[mtangelsfan]

http://msn.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/demaryius-thomas-mother-and-grandma-will-watch-super-bowl-from-jail-012814

 

Found this story.  Not the crux of the story but found it interesting that his grandmother was given a life sentence for 3 drug dealing convictions.

 

Don't agree with that at all.

[Blarg]

Crack cocaine. It's not like Gramma or Mom were distributing some Maui Wowie. Crack is instantly addictive so she was doling out death sentences because it was the easy way to make money. Thomas was lucky both were locked up when he was twelve before curiosity in the family business destroyed his life.

[tdawg87]

Crack cocaine. It's not like Gramma or Mom were distributing some Maui Wowie. Crack is instantly addictive so she was doling out death sentences because it was the easy way to make money. Thomas was lucky both were locked up when he was twelve before curiosity in the family business destroyed his life.

 

That has become a subject of debate.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/science/the-rational-choices-of-crack-addicts.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

 

But then, when he began studying addicts, he saw that drugs weren’t so irresistible after all.

 

“Eighty to 90 percent of people who use crack and methamphetamine don’t get addicted,” said Dr. Hart, an associate professor of psychology. “And the small number who do become addicted are nothing like the popular caricatures.”

[tdawg87]

As for the article, drug related crimes should not receive the same punishment as murder, rape, or child molestation. Ever. A life sentence is absurd, even for a third offense. Even for a drug as bad as crack cocaine.

 

That is what is wrong with this country's judicial system. Filling prisons with drug dealers and users, taking up space that real criminals should be taking.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

As a native Floridian this makes me proud.

 

(Where is that sarcasm icon when you need it...)

[Hollyw00d]

Drug laws are unconstitutional imo

[mtangelsfan]

Crack cocaine. It's not like Gramma or Mom were distributing some Maui Wowie. Crack is instantly addictive so she was doling out death sentences because it was the easy way to make money. Thomas was lucky both were locked up when he was twelve before curiosity in the family business destroyed his life.

 

Rapists and murderers get out in 20 or 30 years.  Drug offenses getting life sentences is beyond stupid.

[arch stanton]

Differentiating between crack and powder cocaine is also stupid.

[Tank]

As for the article, drug related crimes should not receive the same punishment as murder, rape, or child molestation. Ever. A life sentence is absurd, even for a third offense. Even for a drug as bad as crack cocaine.

 

That is what is wrong with this country's judicial system. Filling prisons with drug dealers and users, taking up space that real criminals should be taking.

Third conviction? I dunno, Maybe they really want her to stop selling crack.

[mtangelsfan]

Third conviction? I dunno, Maybe they really want her to stop selling crack.

 

I'm sure they do.  Do you think selling drugs should keep somebody keep somebody in prison for life while rapists and murderers get out because there isn't enough room in the prisons?

[HaloFan85]

I heard his grandmother was not just selling, she was the "kingpin" of a crack cocaine drug ring.  Depending on the size of the ring and the amount of money and drugs being moved, I'm sure that factored heavily into the life sentence.

[Lhalo]

I heard his grandmother was not just selling, she was the "kingpin" of a crack cocaine drug ring. Depending on the size of the ring and the amount of money and drugs being moved, I'm sure that factored heavily into the life sentence.

I don't care if she is responsible for every crack deal in the history of the US. She shouldn't be in prison for life.

[Jason]

Life for drugs seem overboard but what if after the second conviction they were told "one more and your done"? It may be dumb but this was done out of choice. How many chances should we give people?

[HaloMagic]

We shouldn't be making drugs illegal. Then no chances are needed to be given.

[mtangelsfan]

Life for drugs seem overboard but what if after the second conviction they were told "one more and your done"? It may be dumb but this was done out of choice. How many chances should we give people?

 

As long as rapists, killers and pedophiles are being released early because of overcrowding it's just stupid to pass out these kind of sentences for drugs. 

[TobiasFunke]

Or the fact that alcohol and cigarettes are legal...

[Brandon]

If people want to buy heroin or some other hard drug and **** up their life, let them.

 

The whole war on drugs is one of the biggest shams in history....but one of the most profitable.

[nate]

Honestly when illegal weapons and dealing are involved and it is not the first arrest I am fine with it.

 

My problem is punishing the people buying the drugs.  Especially since Crack was ruining the south, especially in the Atlanta area.

[mtangelsfan]

Crack isn't ruining the south.  That is just a symptom.

 

Poverty and hopelessness are the real problems. 

[nate]

They go one in the same don't they?  So it is fine that impoverished people spent money on crack instead of food and shelter for their kids?

[mtangelsfan]

Is it fine that they spend their money on smokes, booze, cell phones and satellite tv instead of food for their kids?

[nate]

One is far more addictive and counter productive than the rest don't you think?

 

You think a kid growing up in a crack house has the same chance as a kid growing up in an alcoholic technology addicts house?

[Brandon]

Illegal weapons are protection methods for the drug industry. You can't just call up ADT to wire up your grow or meth lab. People in the drug game are rarely using weapons to commit crimes, just precaution and protection.

[Brandon]

Also, anything can be addictive. You don't see the creator of keno or blackjack in custody, same with the owners of McDonalds or other food establishments.

 

People seem to have this conception that only drugs are addictive or bad for you.

[nate]

Legally owned guns work the same way.

 

Not they they are hard to obtain in the south.