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The GCW

I was feeling angry about the fact that in Utah and Oregon on the last election, there was a ballot initiative to stop taking property from potential drug offenders that were not found guilty.

For that election question in both states, the biggest opposition to continue this stealing technique was the police and district attorneys who profit directly and indirectly.

Now in Washington State they are facing the same thing. The citizens want to stop the police and courts from taking property from citizens that are not found guilty of a crime, yet the police and their co-horts are addicted to the gravy train. It seems like I read still another state is facing this dilema.

Does that anger any one else?

 

KWhite

GCW,
The whole set up angers a lot of people.
But here again, if you follow their rules, it seemingly cannot touch you.
Again the second class distinction.
Fortunately for us, unfortunately for the poor innocent people caught up in this mess, the agencies supping upon the gravy have progressively widened and broadened the laws to get more.
It has begun hitting folks with money, hotels confiscated, because addicts purportedly used the dark areas behind their building to do drugs, homes confiscated because a minor sold a bit to a friend, a rancher killed on bogus marijuana growing charges, because the land was worth a lot of money, and he mistakenly awoke and grabbed a gun. (This land grab view was eventually supported by the investigating agencies, and used to help his wife keep the land I believe, it happened in California)
Hell yes it angers.
And has for a long time.
Luckily, it is now angering people with the means to challenge and change these laws.
A better day is coming .
be well
Kelly

Randøm_

Hit them where it hurts ... with the votes! No politician is going to legislate laws that draws negative feedback by those who have voted them into office; they can be voted out of office just as easily. Express your concerns to your representatives, congress, and any politician that will listen. Talk about it with your neighbors, get your word out! Yes, a better day is coming! The seizure laws have their days numbered as is, as the other laws directly and indirectly related to MJ.

PS The DA in San Francisco advocates the legalization of medical marijuana! He'll speak at the NORML convention. See, we are making progress here .

As for the current laws, knowledge is almost always disputed regarding forfeitures. You'd need, in many cases, an attorney to prove no knowledge. Sometimes you win, sometimes not.

The GCW

The D.A. I believe in Utah or the police, ... what ever... are having the court put off implimenting the law that was voted in, in Utah.

The cops do not like, not being able to keep property from innocent citizens and are simply speaking out, like they should in a democratic society.

But they are wrong. They wish to use SWAT teams to help aquire the booty and use Nazi type raids to help in the colection agency department.

The auto repossession folks will become SWAT oriented next.

From Utah: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n490/a06.html?6536. Plus: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n490/a06.html?6536.

Randøm_

[b]"But they are wrong. They wish to use SWAT teams to help aquire the booty and use Nazi type raids to help in the colection agency department. "[/i]

Yep, I met the GI Hoes (oops, did zi spell that wrong?). They searched frantically for firearms or anything resellable they could seize. Fortunately, I had nothing they could associate with MJ, own no firearms, and don't have a car registered in my name. They are truly Nazi-types. "Hail, mein Fuhrer!" If they put forth such effort to get the real criminals off the streets, they'd put themselves out of business.

Yessss, make it clear that the one hand (holding the jay) washes the other (the one holding the tax sheet) and we can work together for the sake of all of society.

 

Niteshift

There's apparently no interest in debate in this thread, only name calling, so I'll just butt out.

Randøm_

Umm, I apparently need to recant, or at least better explain myself. Since posting in this thread I got into the nazi issue in another. I got carried away here a bit, and apologize for being a little hyperbolic.
I must relay that I hold animosity towards the neurotic cops that invaded my home and did their best to find something to which they could gain financial benefit.
Please allow me to modify this element, I, an independent user, feel betrayed for the manner in which my dignity, privacy, and security was figuratively raped. I do see similarities with this as compared to the nazis searching for jewish people. I do so truly believe it is all about profit.
I was not violated by police coming to my house in a squad car, I was subject to a home invasion, an armed squad of state troopers dressed up like army-GIs in marijuana-patterned clothing.
You can't expect me to treat this likely, but you should be able to expect that I react in a more appropriate manner.
Niteshift, I hope you know that I respect you, but my negative experiences outweigh the positive ones. This is my life ... not just a case. I was horrified to learn of the tactics used upon individual users who never posed a threat to society. You, slate, and one local cop can't quite undo the psychological damages I accrued amid my apprehension ... like by a damn swat team.

I don't see this as horrid as what the nazis did, but I do believe this is a practice of the same mentality.

I apologize for over-reacting, but this topic hits a definite nerve.

iMac Bondi Bong

Yes, state and federal laws concerning property seizures and forfeitures need to be reviewed and revised…

Yes, it is possible in this country to have property taken away when you haven't been convicted of a crime…it has happened a number of times…despite the fact it violates a U.S. citizens' rights…

Legislators on the state and national levels need to be pressured by their constituents into changing these travesties of justice… right is right — and what is happening in some case is just wrong, legally and morally.

Cheers