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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLouisiana Marijuana Sentencing Reform Bill Fails
State Rep. Austin Badon (D-New Orleans) had introduced a bill to address this reality:
http://www.noladefender.com/content/badon-bill-se45eks-redu78ced-pot-prison-sentences
HB 103 was intended to create more appropriate sentences for marijuana. A third arrest for marijuana possession in Louisiana can result in a 20 year sentence. No distinction is made between people arrested for something like simple possession and violent offenders under sentencing laws in the state.
HB 103, had set to create more appropriate sentences for marijuana and cannabinoid offensessentences that could help boost the state's economy by collecting fines, and reducing the state's world-record prison population with more realistic sentencing guidelines. The law would have also created a crowbar of separation between marijuana and synthetics (which have been shown to have side-effects and can create legitimate health problems).
Please, Louisiana. Stop this nonsense.
The legislation can be brought to vote again.
Pops was arrested for possession back in the day. Your law could've prevented the inventor of the jazz solo from ever achieving his brilliance. You're so proud of your jazz, Louisiana. Jazz and reefer have a long and storied history. Stop pretending it's something it's not and stop undermining the lives of the people in your state.
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Sorry, any Louisiana DUers.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)New Orleans is an American treasure.
The history of this nation is embodied in the history of New Orleans - its legal history, cultural history...
But, of course, the majority of the state isn't New Orleans. However, it's just like every other red state - the cities are liberal and rural areas are not.
Given the chance, tho, I'd go to New Orleans any day. What a great city.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)Not from Louisiana, but a guy who wrote some of the greats from the American Songbook, talked about muggles (marijuana) too.
"It's the summer of 1923. We took to quarts of bathtub gin, a package of muggles, and headed for the black-and-tan joint where King Oliver's band was playing."
King Oliver was Armstrong's mentor.