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RainDog

(28,784 posts)
Thu May 23, 2013, 09:34 PM May 2013

Louisiana Marijuana Sentencing Reform Bill Fails

State Rep. Austin Badon (D-New Orleans) had introduced a bill to address this reality:

As of 2012, Louisiana held the honor of having the highest prison population in the world, with an estimated 40,000 people locked up in the state's prisons. That number is cited as thirteen times times the total number of inmates in Chinese prisons. In 2007, the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that more than 12-percent of inmates at the state and federal levels are serving for marijuana offenses, costing Americans an estimated one billion dollars a year (that's with nine zeroes people).


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.

Badon's bill went to the floor for the third reading and the final vote had a majority of the legislators present voting in favor of the legislation, with 46 yeas to the 45 nays. However, though the majority present voted in favor, any bill must pass with a simple majority of total house members. As there are 105 house members, those 46 yes' fell short of the 53 necessary to enact new law.

HB 103, had set to create more appropriate sentences for marijuana and cannabinoid offenses—sentences 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.

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Louisiana Marijuana Sentencing Reform Bill Fails (Original Post) RainDog May 2013 OP
Absolutely barbaric pot sentences. Another reason to stay the hell out of Louisiana. Comrade Grumpy May 2013 #1
I'd go to New Orleans in a heartbeat RainDog May 2013 #2
And then there's Hoagy Carmichael RainDog May 2013 #3
 

Comrade Grumpy

(13,184 posts)
1. Absolutely barbaric pot sentences. Another reason to stay the hell out of Louisiana.
Thu May 23, 2013, 09:37 PM
May 2013

Sorry, any Louisiana DUers.

RainDog

(28,784 posts)
2. I'd go to New Orleans in a heartbeat
Thu May 23, 2013, 09:42 PM
May 2013

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)
3. And then there's Hoagy Carmichael
Fri May 24, 2013, 11:04 AM
May 2013

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.




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