Matt Simon to be on air Monday, 2008.02.25

[MTPorcupine3]

At my suggestion, the folks at www.wntk.com will have our friend Matt Simon of www.nhcommonsense.org as a guest at 7:40 Monday morning to talk about the recent libertarian attempt to decriminalise marijuana. You can listen on line or, on air (FM 99.7 or AM 1490, out of New London). You might want to chime in, 888-299-3151 or onair@wntk.com, or to thank them for having him on.

[Tom Sawyer]

 

[dalebert]

I don't think it's technically decrim. Just a reduction in the penalty.

[MTPorcupine3]

I don't think it's technically decrim. Just a reduction in the penalty.

Wikipedia: "Decriminalization is the reduction or abolition of criminal penalties in relation to certain acts. The reverse process is criminalization."

Cambridge Dictionary: "decriminalize verb [T] to reduce or stop the punishment for (a particular illegal act), esp. by changing a law"

[Lloyd Danforth]

What we need is 'uncriminalize'

[Pat McCotter]

Ummmm...I guess "legalize" is already taken, huh?

[Tom Sawyer]

Ummmm...I guess "legalize" is already taken, huh?

What they are proposing isn't legalization. I wish they would reach for that... but, they feel that the shortest path is the best.

It is kind of like instead of doing away with slavery, we will just make it so the master can only give the slave three lashes with the whip.

[Lloyd Danforth]

Ummmm...I guess "legalize" is already taken, huh?

Yes, but, not seriously enough

[MTPorcupine3]

What we need is 'uncriminalize'

Amen! And whatever we can get in the right direction in the meantime.

[J’raxis 270145]

... a reduction in the penalty.

It's both a reduction in penalty and the classification of the crime (felony, misdemeanor, violation) down to a violation.

[J’raxis 270145]

What we need is 'uncriminalize'

Amen! And whatever we can get in the right direction in the meantime.

Eventually. The committee ITLed this tiny little attempt, 13–5. I'd imagine a full legalization attempt would've resulted in a vote of 18–0, or maybe 17–1 because Tim Robertson is so outspokenly opposed to drug laws. (He actually admitted to smoking pot during the debate over this bill.)

[FTL_Ian]

How was the interview?

[MTPorcupine3]

How was the interview?

It went well, even though Matt was a few minutes late coming to the call. The hosts carried the topic without him, and they were not hostile to the idea of decriminalisation at all. They did point out a case in Illinois (?) where a four year old girl demonstrated to police how to roll joints and otherwise use marijuana... as taught by her mother. They didn't like the idea of such young children having access to it, but basically agreed that the punishment is out of proportion to the "crime". Then Matt came on and "hit on" most of the points... and a caller pointed out that the government benefits from the "war on drugs" more than anyone. The hosts said they'd love to have Matt on again.