Law & Politics

Retired Texas Cop Touts Cannabis Decriminalization, Source: http://i1.wp.com/www.thedailychronic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Russell-Jones.jpg?resize=795%2C470There is an advertisement floating around Texas that shows a retired police officer who is coming out in support of cannabis. If you’re like me, you did a double-take.

A retired cop supporting cannabis? From Texas? If that isn’t compelling evidence that the times, they are a-changing, then I don’t know what will convince you.

The former law enforcer, Russell Jones, is speaking on behalf of House Bill 507, which seeks to decriminalize cannabis possession. Under 507’s guidelines, the penalty for having less than an ounce of cannabis would be maxed out at $250 and it would be considered a civil fine, closer to a parking ticket than a felony. As of today, the Texas maximum penalty for having less than two ounces is six months in prison and a $2,000 fine.

That’s the nitty gritty of the bill, but what makes it worth noting is the reasoning that Jones gave for his support. He stated, “I know of no instance in my entire career where someone was acting out under the influence of marijuana. People under the influence of alcohol are much more problematic. Law enforcement officials have more important things to do with their time than arresting people for marijuana possession. They need to be there to protect the public to respond to crimes such as robbery, burglaries, rapes and murders.”

Amen. This speaks to something I have actually suspected for a long time — that many (if not most) cops don’t really want to be spending their days going after harmless stoners. Sure, there are the power-tripping thug cops out there who genuinely enjoy busting cannabis users, but I just don’t believe that most people join the force because they want to punish people who aren’t hurting anyone. I’d imagine that more than a few police officers don’t feel great about having to enforce such laws.

Spark becomes a flame, flame becomes a fire. This fire is growing hungrier every day and it will continue to grow into an inferno, immolating ignorance and stupidity from our national drug policy.