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http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/8/12/122549/844
This Is Progress
by BooMan
Mon Aug 12th, 2013 at 12:25:49 PM EST
Charlie Savage is concise:
That's really all you need to know. The Department of Justice is going to intentionally seek lighter sentences for minor drug offenses than those envisioned by federal law.
You can start clapping now.
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)if the state should decide to decriminalize or legalize marijuana, that's a big no no and the feds are still against this?
"Some issues are best handled at the state or local level," Holder will say, according to prepared remarks provided by the Justice Department. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/12/eric-holder-drug-sentencing_n_3741524.html
Here's a novel idea, I realize that prison is a big business, but why dont we clear out all the minor marijuana possessions and trafficking offenders and stop paying $35-50K each annually to house them in private prisons, since it's not really a crime that society needs protection from?
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)He is changing it for minor, non-violent offenders who face Federal charges.
It is extremely, extremely rare for small time, non-violent offenders to ever face Federal charges. The Feds don't mess with small fry. Those charges are 99% of the time state/local charges, this changes nothing for them.
And given the nature of where the few such Federal charges come from, it will has a disparite benefit for whites. Blacks in urban areas who gave a disparate amount of prosecution all do so under state and local laws.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)On the one hand, you want to limit it to the good guys who made a small mistake and got railroaded by the justice system, because suburban moms get nervous if you start getting too serious about ending the war on drugs. On the other hand, there aren't actually that many people in prison for simple possession of small amounts of drugs (though anything that gets the ones who are out of there is a good thing).
zeemike
(18,998 posts)Especially at a time when this administration looks pretty much like the last one on the criminal justice system and spying.
Through the barking dogs a bone...then they will shut up about it.
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)ljm2002
(10,751 posts)...and I give Eric Holder and President Obama great credit, and full support on this.
K&R
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)an awkward process in learning to run free? We've been told that baby steps are all that can be expected for twenty years no.
& R
progressoid
(49,999 posts)Finally.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Not terribly satisfying, but progress.
Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023451128
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)and encouraged to do more.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)They'll say "Obama is throwing open the jails letting hardened criminals loose on our streets!"
Somewhere in America a mom dressed like June Cleaver is snatching up her pigtailed daughter in a fucking pinafore dress from their own back yard and cowering under the dining room set until daddy comes home.
malaise
(269,211 posts)I don't think many folks have a clue how Nixon and Reagan's racist drug laws have damaged the families of minorities. This and the end of stop and frisk are both great news.
Cha
(297,774 posts)mahalo babylonsistah~