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New Jersey MS Patient Appeals Marijuana Cultivation to State Supreme Court

Chris Goldstein — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:43:16 +0000

Attorney Bill Buckman at the PhillyNORML Freedom Forum 2009

8/16/2011 – Criminal defense attorney William Buckman of Moorestown, NJ has filed an appeal to the state’s highest court for John Ray Wilson. The 38 year old man was convicted on the second-degree felony of “manufacturing” marijuana for growing seventeen cannabis plants. Last month an appellate court upheld Wilson’s 5-year prison sentence, saying that he could not claim that the plants were for “personal” use.

John Wilson lives without healthcare and battles the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. His conviction in January 2010 came just as the Garden State’s compassionate use law was passed. However, it was the first medical marijuana law in the country that continues to prohibit home cultivation.

In a press release today Buckman said, “New Jersey already has some of the most draconian laws in the nation with respect to marijuana, costing taxpayers outrageous sums to incarcerate nonviolent, otherwise responsible individuals– as well as in this case — the sick and infirm.”

Local cannabis advocates have supported John, demonstrating in front of the Somerset County Courthouse throughout his trial.

Ken Wolski, the Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey said, “This case has shocked the conscience of the community. Wilson was unable to present his only defense to the jury–that he used cannabis to treat his multiple sclerosis (MS).”

NJ Governor Chris Christie lifted his suspension of the medical marijuana program in July. But the six Alternative Treatment Centers are not likely to open until 2012. The ATCs have millions of dollars in backing from powerful groups of investors. They will farm thousands of cannabis plants and the sell the products to registered patients, including those with MS.

Wolski pointed out, “These ATCs were not available to John in 2008. Cultivation was the only way that he could afford to gain access. We hope that the Supreme Court will provide justice in this case.”

During his trial, Wilson testified that he told the NJ State Police that he was going to keep all of the marijuana. Wilson also described his medical condition to officers as they searched his home.

Bill Buckman is a member of the national NORML Legal Committee and the immediate past president of the NJ Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is a fierce trial lawyer who won a landmark case against the NJ State Police surrounding the the issue of racial profiling in traffic stops.

“As it stands, the case now allows a person who grows marijuana to be exposed to up to 20 years in jail, even if that marijuana is strictly for his or her own medical use,” said Buckman, “No fair reading of the law would ever sanction this result.”

CMMNJ – http://www.cmmnj.org

William Buckman - http://www.whbuckman.com

Support John Ray Wilson on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-John-Ray-Wilson-New-Jersey-MS-Patient/104540271138

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IMPORTANT - Full Text: Department of Justice Memo on Medical Marijuana

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Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? chris@freedomisgreen.com

New Jersey MS Patient Prepares for Medical Marijuana Prison Term

Chris Goldstein — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:13:48 +0000

John Wilson (left) stand with supporter Jim Miller in front of the Somerset courthouse in 2010

8/9/2011 – John Ray Wilson is saying goodbye to his family. The 38 year old man lives with multiple sclerosis and without healthcare. Last month an appellate court ruled to uphold his 2010 conviction for “manufacturing” marijuana. He is now living in limbo as a judge considers his bail during a final appeal to the state Supreme Court. John may have to begin serving a 5-year prison sentence any day.

Wilson grew seventeen cannabis plants in the backyard of his Franklin Township home. This was an effort to treat his condition. His trial in 2009/2010 took place at the same time as the final debates over the compassionate use act in the NJ legislature. Supporters demonstrated in front of the Somerville Courthouse. But the law was too late for John Wilson.

John was never allowed to mention that he had MS or that he was growing for his own medical necessity. The state threw every heavy book they had at him. They attempted to convict on the first degree felony of “Operating and Maintaining a Controlled Dangerous Substance Manufacturing Facility.” This was a law designed for crack, meth and heroine processing mainly in urban environments. A first degree felony would carry a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.

Multiple sclerosis is one of the few approved conditions under the NJ medical marijuana law. Dr. Denis Petro, a neurologist who testified before the legislature, was ready to offer expert testimony at Wilson’s trial about the unique benefits of cannabis on MS. But Petro and other experts were never allowed.

Medical quality marijuana is expensive on the underground market, $300-$500 per ounce. Home cultivation by medical marijuana patients is allowed in 14 of the 16 states with compassionate use laws. It is certainly a safe and economical way to find relief. Unless a helicopter comes hovering over.

When the NJ State Police Marijuana Eradication Unit arrived at his residence John was up front with officers and detectives. When they were called to the stand, the NJ State Police officers could not recall those conversations in the hours they spent sitting with John at a picnic table in his backyard.

I was in the courtroom the day John took the stand in his own defense. There was significant media attention on the trial from television and newspapers. The jury may have been aware of the reporters or the medical marijuana demonstrators holding signs in front of the courthouse each day. On December 17, 2009 the jury heard MS mentioned officially in the trial for the first time. Here’s my report from that day:

It was honest and sincere; it was the truth. On the stand in his own defense, John Wilson was allowed to tell the jury that he has Multiple Sclerosis.

“I told them I was not a drug dealer and I was using the marijuana to treat my MS.” John had been asked what he said to the State Police officers who arrived to investigate the 17 cannabis plants spotted by helicopter.

It seems Wilson has been truthful with law enforcement authorities about his intentions regarding the medical use of his marijuana from their first contact with him.

NBC 4 in NY was in the courtroom and correctly called the single-sentence event a “Stunning Reversal at Medical Marijuana Trial.” read full

In the end John was convicted on the second-degree felony of “manufacturing marijuana” as well as a third-degree felony for less than gram of psilocybin.

He was taken into custody for five weeks last spring, but was since allowed to remain with his family on bail. His appeal stated that he grew the cannabis for personal use. Under New Jersey law marijuana possession cases can often have the distribution charges removed if the person claims all of the pot was for personal use.

John Wilson stands among supporters signs in front of the courthouse 12/2010

Because of the archaic terminology of “manufacturing” applied to cultivating marijuana, the appellate court ruled there could be no “personal use” defense applied.

The next step is an appeal to the NJ Supreme Court.

NJ Senators Raymond Lesniak and Nicholas Scutari both called on then-Governor Jon Corzine to pardon Wilson but to no avail. A similar petition will be made to Governor Chris Christie.

Like millions of working class Americans the Wilson family is struggling with a variety of serious health care costs.

John’s younger brother Kenny is a developmentally disabled adult bound to a wheelchair. His grandmother endures the many burdens of aging. Even with the MS, John is still the healthier one and spends his days helping his family. Working from home on an eBay store with his mom, John tries to make ends meet.

On the other side of his prison sentence Wilson hopes to be part of New Jersey’s medical marijuana program. But he may still face some hurdles. First the program is not yet running. More ominous is the real possibility that if John is granted parole he will face regular, mandatory drug testing. There is no medical marijuana exception to these probation and parole rules.

The approved operators of the first six medical cannabis Alternative Treatment Centers have been given a mandate by Governor Chris Christie to expedite their start-up. With millions of dollars in funding and top-level executives the ATCs are preparing to farm hundreds, even thousands of cannabis plants soon.

John Ray Wilson waits patiently yet has a great pressure on him each day. He is hopeful for the further appeal but has resigned himself to being separated from his family. John has prepared, as best as he can, to serve a prison term for growing the same medicine now regulated by the state.

There is a Facebook support page for John here

More about the John Wilson trial http://www.examiner.com/john-wilson-trial-in-philadelphia

Read more at Freedomisgreen.com

IMPORTANT - Full Text: Department of Justice Memo on Medical Marijuana

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Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? chris@freedomisgreen.com

Florida Pays To Bury Teen After Marijuana Arrest

Chris Goldstein — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:51:50 +0000

Eric Perez in a photo provided by his family to the media - posted at the Miami Herald website

8/1/2011 -State authorities in Florida caused a stir last week when they stopped a check to pay for the funeral services of a teenager who died after jail staff refused him medical attention. The West Palm Beach Post reported that a $5,000 check issued at the request of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) was destroyed last week by the state’s Chief Financial Officer. Today the same newspaper is reporting that state CFO Jeff Atwater re-issued the check.

On the night of July 9th Eric Perez as just another young resident in Florida with a small amount of marijuana. He turned 18 just a few weeks earlier. But the next morning Perez was dead. What happened in the time between is the subject of an intense and ongoing investigation. Some disturbing details have already emerged.

For the seven hours that Perez was in custody he was having severe headaches and was continuously vomiting. He pleaded for help. Guards have come forward to say they were directed by supervisors not to call 911 that night. (Those guards were then fired for following those orders.) Towards the end, Perez was moved to a bare “medical” cell and left without anyone to monitor him inside. At some point the guard assigned outside the door apparently went absent.

The tragic conclusion is all too clear: Eric Perez died completely alone and in great pain on the floor of that Juvenile Detention Center cell. His mother will receive the video of her son’s last moments.

This horrific case showcases that the poor management of local jails quickly becomes inhuman treatment of those incarcerated. Men of color between 18 and 35 bear the brunt of marijuana prohibition laws. Because this is the most-arrested group of Americans means they also have the greatest probability of encountering the worst in jail environments.

Fourteen US states have decriminalized the possession of a small amount of marijuana by adults. Even more states have the option of issuing a court summons at the time of a police encounter in lieu of a custodial arrest.

The death of a young person in a Florida correctional institution was common enough that the Department of Juvenile Justice already has a policy in place to pay for the burial expenses.

The agency has issued the payments twice before, according to DJJ spokesman C.J. Drake.

Drake would not comment on the finger-pointing but said “we’re pleased that this matter is finally being resolved in favor of the young man’s family.”

The check was overnighted Monday to Richard Schuler, an attorney representing Perez’ mother Martiza Perez, Atwater spokeswoman Alexis Lambert said.

“They have done an about-face on the issuance of the check for funeral expenses. I think it’s the right thing to do under the circumstances,” Schuler said. read full at West Palm Beach Post

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Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? chris@freedomisgreen.com

Penn. Prosecutors: Medical Marijuana Not a Law Enforcement Question

Chris Goldstein — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:17:51 +0000

7/12/2011 – During an hour-long public radio program Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed said that the Pennsylvania DA’s Association is taking no position on the medical marijuana bill. Freed explained the stance on WITF’s Radio Smart Talk , “I don’t think any prosecutor I know would want to prevent a terminally ill person from alleviating [their] suffering.”

Freedomisgreen Editor Chris Goldstein was the proponent guest representing Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana and PhillyNORML.

Later in the program Freed reinforced the position, “I don’t think that medical marijuana is necessarily a law enforcement issue. I think that advocates like Chris need to go to the Legislature and what happens there …happens.”

SB1003/HB 1653, The Governor Raymond P. Shaffer Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, is waiting for committee votes in both houses. The bill was re-named this year to honor the former Republican governor who asked President Nixon to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act in 1972.

In a rare, comprehensive discussion the Radio Smart Talk program covered medical marijuana, decriminalization and full legalization. Questions from the callers ran the gamut from supporting reform measures to blaming the Greek economic crisis on weed.

Listen to Radio Smart Talk July 8, 2011

Read more at Freedomisgreen.com

IMPORTANT - Full Text: Department of Justice Memo on Medical Marijuana

Freedom Buzz

Maryjane’s Corner

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Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? chris@freedomisgreen.com

Interview: Cop Honors Fallen Partner by Working to Legalize

Chris Goldstein — Sat, 14 May 2011 03:53:03 +0000

Neill Franklin speaking in Philadelphia - by C. David Freitag

5/13/2011 - Tonight in Washington DC there was a memorial for police officers killed in the line of duty. One of those keeping vigil was Neill Franklin. He worked undercover on the streets of Baltimore but now he is one of America’s leading voices calling for an end to the war on drugs as the executive director of LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

Franklin spent a career in Baltimore and then at the Maryland State Police Academy, so he has been to the event before, but in a different capacity. He attended the candlelight memorial service this year to honor his partner, Ed Toatley, who was shot during a cocaine buy in 2000 while on an FBI assignment.

Neill’s perspective is both moving and resolute. Still, this was the first time he attended Police Week as the director of LEAP.

We caught up with Neill for a telephone interview as he kept up a busy schedule.

Tell us about why you are attending the memorial event tonight?

Many years ago there was fund started to erect a police officer’s memorial in Washington DC. It’s similar to Viet Nam Memorial where the names are carved into stone. Every year the officers that die in the line of duty are engraved into the memorial with thousands of others. But during Police Week they they also have bike rides, torch runs – one from Philadelphia all the way down to DC Friday- and the vigil at 8:00pm.

It has been many years since I was at this event. The work I’m doing right now with LEAP kind of rung a bell for me …this October was 11 years since Ed Toatley’s assassination. I thought well this year I’m going back to DC for the vigil to celebrate and remember his life and try to make a stament this week that we can save officers lives by ending the war on drugs.

It’s not just police officers here in the US but many hundreds of officers are dying in Mexico, Venezuala, all over the world really. So it’s an international statement we’re making as well.

Chris I have to tell you that this is not a popular position to take among the law enforcement community.

So while I’m at the memorial yeah it’s probably going to be a little awkward if I’m in conversations with the other folks there; who are there to honor those who fallen. But if you look back at history there are so many things were never popular at the beginning – but it has to be done.

Have you seen some thawing on the part of active law enforcement that you have encountered when it comes to prohibition?

There has been more of that at the bottom of the ranks; at the patrol officer level, those out in the streets.

First of all they understand that this is a numbers game – to use the example of New York City; how can we miss that? Fifty thousand arrests! They know it’s a numbers game they see it’s a numbers game. This is how the federal funding comes into the coffers of local law enforcement agencies.

But if we at LEAP continue to do what we do, at least educate these officers to get the facts about the war on drugs – if they pause to let it sink in – they realize that this also makes their job much more dangerous than it needs to be.

When we talk about the Drug War many people many think of it in academic terms, but you experienced it right at the front of the conflict. It seems like police are given an awful job here to make war on their own communities?

This is what has happened. But because of our drug policies, over time, police have now become somewhat removed or physically separated themselves from their communities.

I’ve got to mention this – When I was growing up in Baltimore city the teenagers would all hang out at the end of my block. We weren’t the best kids … we did mischievous things. Some would smoke marijuana down there in the hood. But when the police car turned at the top of the hill no one scattered or yelled 5-0. But we walked over to the car and greeted Officer Rex. And if we were doing something that we shouldn’t be doing he would say ‘DON’T DO THAT! ‘and we stopped.

But he was part of the community. If something were to happen, if something were to go down and Officer Rex was to get in the middle of some real trouble, that community would be there to support and protect him. Let me ask you – Would that happen today?

Now that same neighborhood when the police car turns the corner the people scatter. If there is any communication at all there is no greeting.

This shift in relationship between police and community rests on the foundation of prohibition.

Back when was I was policing undercover I never carried a gun. We went out and worked our cases, many times without backup. That was the 1980s. Today it is unheard of to work without backup and firearm. That tells you how dangerous this job has become.

If the police were in fact a part of the community – which they should be because they often spend more time in the community they police than their homes – But if the police were just there to take a violent person out of the community they would have overwhelming support. That is how it should be.

So can these soldiers, our police, can they come around to get that community relationship back?

I believe so. It wouldn’t happen overnight. We have to begin by handling this huge wall that is put between them and their communities and it really is prohibition.

That’s why they go to search homes; for drugs. That’s why they search cars and search people, all looking for drugs. If you remove prohibition you can begin to re-build that relationship.

Because of this policy police are put in an awkward position. When you have people dying among them they shut down more and more ….they expect to deal with the worst. The policy creates the criminal market and that’s what creates the violence. Why are so many guns in our community today? Prohibition is the foundation of that too.

So there’s a real need, a necessity, to breakdown this huge barrier that has been constructed over the past 40 years.

Many of us thought we would never see the Berlin Wall come down – why can’t we do that here? Let’s end the madness of prohibition so that we can reduce the overall violence in America.

Learn more: Law Enforcement Against Prohibition http://leap.cc

[Editor's Note - Also asked Neill about the NYC undercover encounter, look for his thoughts on that in a future post.]

Read more at Freedomisgreen.com

Questions? chris@freedomisgreen.com

Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. He volunteers with local groups to change prohibition laws including PhillyNORML and The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey.

Former Undercover Cop Lobbies to Legalize Marijuana in Maine

Chris Goldstein — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:33:44 +0000

Jack Cole of LEAP speaks at the Boston Freedom Rally 2010

5/10/2011 - Jack Cole used to go deep undercover to bust marijuana dealers in New York and New Jersey. But since his retirement he founded Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a group that now boasts thousands of retired and current members of law enforcement who want to stop the war on drugs. Marijuana consumes most of the resources in this senseless conflict. Nobody knows that better than Cole, that’s why he has traveled to Augusta, Maine to speak before the first committee hearing for cannabis legalization later today.

“Since 1970, we’ve spent more than a trillion dollars on this war and all we have to show for it each year is we arrest another 1.6 million people in this country for nonviolent drug offenses. Fully half are marijuana arrests,” said Cole.

LEAP speakers testify in favor of marijuana reform all around the country. The impact of LEAP’s presence on legislators and the public is profound; the stories from the front-lines are moving and LEAP’s perspective is undeniable.

Maine Rep. Diane Russell, the sponsor of LD 1453, and Jack Cole of LEAP will participate in a press conference at 12 noon today followed by hearings before the Criminal Justice Committee starting at 1PM. LISTEN LIVE HERE

Last year Cole was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to support HB 1393, a bill to legalize medical marijuana. Video of that powerful testimony is below.

Read more at Freedomisgreen.com

Interview: Maine Rep. Diane Russell Works to Legalize Marijuana

LINKS:

LEAP: http://leap.cc

Support the effort in Maine with this online petition: http://signon.org/sign/support-mj-legalization

Full text of LD 1453 :http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/HP106701.asp

Get involved at NORML’s Take Action Center

Maine First Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/LegalizeMaineFirst

Florida man wins medical marijuana defense

Chris Goldstein — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:44:24 +0000

4/29/2011 – Even in states without a specific law seriously ill residents are fighting for the right to access cannabis. Today a court in Florida dismissed charges against a disabled man because he was using marijuana for medical purposes.

From WPEC – CBS 12 Boynton Beach, FL

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – 53-year-old Jeff Kennedy was prepared to spend five years in prison for growing medical marijuana for medical reasons. But on Friday, Kennedy showed up in court wearing a t-shirt stating, ‘I am a patient not a criminal,’ and it turns out the state agrees. The state dropped the charges at the last minute.

“I’m just going to go forward and advocate for medical cannabis,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy suffers from chronic pain caused by a botched back surgery. His legs burn and twitch constantly. Doctors have prescribed him a cocktail of highly addictive and dangerous pain killers.

“It is slowly killing me,” said Kennedy. Read more: http://www.cbs12.com/articles/fla-4732209-marijuana-medical.html#ixzz1Kxhg6Wps

Last month FL Rep. Jeff Clemens introduced a resolution that would create a state regulated medical cannabis system. If there are more advocates like Mr. Kennedy it may not take long to pass.

Listen up: WNYC on the racial disparity of pot arrests

Chris Goldstein — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:29:26 +0000

Empire State NORML logo

WNYC, the local public radio station for America’s biggest metropolis, trained their microphones on the police practices concerning marijuana arrests. NYC has the dubious distinction of having the greatest number of marijuana arrests for any locality – it surpasses many whole states. Still, the urban police practice of targeting young, African-American marijuana consumers is not isolated to the Big Apple. Similar racial disparities exist in Philadelphia and likely in most other large cities.

Dr. Harry Levine with the Drug Policy Alliance issued a detailed report about the NYC arrests in March that has spurred increased attention to the issue. $75 Million a Year: The Cost of New York City’s Marijuana Possession Arrests

The WNYC audio is embedded below but the full text story is also essential reading.

WNYC: Alleged Illegal Searches by NYPD May Be Increasing Marijuana Arrests

[This is the first story in a two-part series. Read the second part here.]

Police arrest 140 people every day in New York City for possessing small amounts of marijuana. It’s now by far the most common misdemeanor charge in the city, and thousands of these arrests take place when police stop-and-frisk young men in the poorest neighborhoods. While police say these stop-and-frisks are a way to find guns, what they find more often is a bag of marijuana.

An investigation by WNYC suggests that some police officers may be violating people’s constitutional rights when they are making marijuana arrests. Current and former cops, defense lawyers and more than a dozen men arrested for the lowest-level marijuana possession say illegal searches take place during stop-and-frisks, which are street encounters carried out overwhelmingly on blacks and Latinos. READ FULL STORY

Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Progressing in Connecticut

Chris Goldstein — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:37:58 +0000

State House in Hartford, CT

Legislation to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults is moving forward in Hartford. The Joint Judiciary Committee approved the bill on Tuesday April 12th. The proposed change in state law would allow for a $100 fine and a non-criminal citation for those caught with up to a half-ounce of cannabis. The original language called for possession of up to one ounce.

The CT Mirror reports:

“This proposal is just saying, let’s save all that hassle. These offenses do take up a lot of time and effort in the court system,” said Michael Lawlor, a senior adviser to Malloy and former chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Lawlor said the proposal will save the state “multi-millions” by not having an estimated 2,000 offenders who are caught each year with small amounts of marijuana brought into the justice system. The legislature’s non-partisan research office reported that states that have reduced penalties for possession have “significantly reduced expenses” for arrests and prosecution. read full

Former Governor Jodi Rell, a Republican, fought a similar piece of legislation in 2009. Because she loudly threatened a veto the bill never got a floor vote.

But this year the measure has seen steady progress as a leading agenda item for the newly elected Governor Daniel Malloy, a Democrat.

A Quinnipiac poll found that 65% of Connecticut residents support decriminalized marijuana possession.

Visit NORML’s Take Action Center for more information

Read more at Freedomisgreen.com

Spring Bloom: East Coast States Moving Medical Cannabis Forward

East Coast Gets Serious About Marijuana

Philadelphia Saving Time and Money with New Pot Procedure

Chris Goldstein — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:49:34 +0000

PhillyNORML's annual cannabis march on South Street takes place on Saturday May 21, 2011.

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s office is calling a new set of procedures for minor pot cases a success and plans to continue with the Small Amount of Marijuana (SAM) program.

Last year the Pennsylvania Supreme Court worked with the new DA, Seth Williams, to make a pragmatic change in how the justice system deals with marijuana possession of 30 grams or less. A new program was created that includes a diversion court appearance, an education class and fees of $200. The major difference is that there is no longer an instant criminal prosecution. The offender pleads to a non-drug related charge that is automatically expunged from their record.

In January PhillyNORML’s Chris Goldstein spoke with Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Joe McGettigan about the new marijuana policy. McGettigan said that the SAM program is working, “Look, certainly this was a much better option than sending all these people into the criminal court last year for misdemeanors.”

The DA’s office provided the following figures related to the SAM program:

June 2010 to September 2010

1636 marijuana possession cases less than 30 grams TOTAL

339 bench warrants issued for failure to appear

1297 marijuana possession cases less than 30g are heard

1025 enter the Small Amount of Marijuana diversion program ( 79% )

81 went to trial

187 statuses continued

4 cases withdrawn

The procedural shift has eased penalties and a particularly harsh process for offenders. For the last two decades anyone in Philadelphia who was caught with a single joint on up to 30 grams was held for bail then prosecuted in a criminal court. This involves a tremendous amount of the justice system’s resources and the expensive procedure was almost unique in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

There are over 4,500 such cases in Philly every year (the largest concentration of pot arrests in PA) so minor marijuana offenses were literally clogging holding cells, bail officer, printing machines, court reporters, clerks, judges and courtrooms. The real world cost savings for the city this year by eliminating those expenses could tally into the millions.The shift also made a significant, tactile change; residents who consume marijuana and run afoul of prohibition laws have a less traumatic experience.

PhillyNORML’s Chris Goldstein said, “This was a positive shift for the city. Still minor marijuana possession arrests are increasing and continue a disturbing trend of being extremely racially disparate.”

An average of about 325 black men, 50 black women, 95 white men and 8 white women will be arrested every month this year in Philadelphia.

Read more at Freedomisgreen.com

Philadelphia: Marijuana arrests remain high