Illegal Drug Possession Protest

[FTL_Ian]

Do the feds have a "crime" for anything less than possession of 1kg?

[Josh]

My understanding is that for the feds, ANY possession is "Possession of a Controlled Substance", with no regard to quantity. Obviously higher quantities would carry harsher penalties, but they are operating with a mandatory minimum sentence.

Again, just my understanding.

[JAC]

Dale:

I need to know at least the general area before I can say and I have no idea where you live. Are you in NH? I would film it and blog it. Do it in a more central location, like Manchester or Concord, and you'd probably have the best turnout.

I live in Manchester and will be performing the protest in Manchester.

If anyone else is planning to participate by openly possessing some themselves, kudos.

Kudos indeed.


Mike:

If you are in NH, I will be there to support you and video your protest/demonstration.

Thank you.

I would hope that you make very clear to the media and police and public that "I do not smoke pot and I have no intent to smoke the pot that I will be in possession of.  I will simply hold it in my hand for all to see as I stand in the park...waiting for the law enforcement officials to come arrest me or fine me...to demonstrate the moral bankruptcy of the current laws concerning cannabis."

That will be the focal point of the entire protest.

"Are they really going to arrest some kid for having a little marijuana in his hand?  He wasn't even gonna smoke it!"  That is what people will say, and the answer will be yes, they will arrest some kid for having a little marijuana in his hand.  Outrage will follow.


Doobie:

If in NH and on a weekend, I can probably show up.

Thanks.


Ian:

Cool.  Where and when?

When is still open for discussion.  Ideally sometime before the year ends; even before November ends would be great.  I would be willing to wait a few more months just to make sure that it is planned and executed well, but there really is not much to the protest so it ought to be performed easily enough.

As for where: I prefer Veteran's Park in Manchester, but I am open to other ideas.


Josh:

Entirely hypothetical, but let's assume the poster is an agent of the men with guns, and decides to plan this. Is there any way the men with guns can then arrest/fine/etc anyone that decides to assist in documenting the action?

I know you are not accusing me of being a Fed - you are simply postulating a hypothetical situation; however, I can assure you that I live in Manchester and that I am a "politico" anarchist (I represent both sides of the "schism").  I moved here two months ago from California.  My name is Andrew Carroll and I have red hair.  You should know who I am with that bit of information.

[Mike Barskey]

Mike:

If you are in NH, I will be there to support you and video your protest/demonstration.

Thank you.

You're welcome. Contact me if you want help as you develop your idea. I won't participate with you during the demonstration/protest, but I will support you however else I can. I live in near Manchester.

[error]

Yep I know exactly who you are. I suggest some Saturday or Sunday at high noon.

[Josh]

I don't know who you are, as I'm still in the Communist State of Maine.

The fed thing applies to those who might witness the protest, not just participate. I would not accuse someone without good reason for doing so.

With enough notice, and a rare hole in my schedule, I might be able to attend.

[dalebert]

JAC is Andrew. I do know him. Doh!

[Raineyrocks]

if this guy is for real (and not hiding behind some tin) he's got some major nuts.  I liked the idea of the leaf as well, it's more visual.

I like the leaf too, it's less tempting to fire up!  Oh yeah and more visual! 

[Dave Ridley]

you can't say the plan lacks courage!

[MattLeft]

Damn, Andrew!  Brass ballz indeed.  Say when and where, and I'll be there.

[FTL_Ian]

So, to be clear, attendees are discouraged from smoking out at the event?

[JAC]

It is good to hear everyone's support of this idea.

I am thinking the date should be set for November something.  The sooner the better, in my opinion, as I do not want to wait too long and then end up never doing it.

Definitely a Saturday, and sometime in the afternoon - 1 or 2 would work well.

According to NORML - and correct me if they are not up-to-date - the current penalty for possessing any amount of marijuana is up to 1 year incarceration and a $2,000 fine.

source: http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?wtm_view=&Group_ID=4551

So, to be clear, attendees are discouraged from smoking out at the event?

That's up to them.

I know I don't want anyone carrying - concealed or otherwise - because it is an unnecessary distraction from the point of the protest: which is to challenge current drug laws.

Actually smoking the marijuana, rather than simply possessing it, might provide this same sort of distraction - I am not sure; so I will leave that specific choice up the individuals involved.  As I stated before, however, I will not be smoking anything; I will solely be in possession of it.

[Giggan]

...Hopefully they will learn that arresting activists in NH becomes a greater threat to their legitimacy.  

What I was thinking is that since JAC's idea is purely to protest the possession part, then cops going into this will know an arrest will only give the case publicity and may just destroy the small quantity he possesses right there (by stomping it into the ground or whatever). They could then claim the amount was too small to concern them, like they did with the small change gambling, and assert that it is not worth the state's time.

If there are people smoking at the event, then yeah, that will guarantee an arrest.

[dalebert]

I would discourage any use. I think it's also poignant that the person in possession isn't even a user himself. It makes it clear just how completely innocent he is. I think it makes a point that some may not be aware of- that it's not the use of the drug that's illegal. It's the possession of the substance. It's the fact that substances are banned that fuels all these horrible invasions of privacy to discover them.

[JAC]

What I was thinking is that since JAC's idea is purely to protest the possession part, then cops going into this will know an arrest will only give the case publicity and may just destroy the small quantity he possesses right there (by stomping it into the ground or whatever).

And have a handful of cameras see them willfully not enforcing a law?  That would mean big trouble for them.  They have to arrest or fine me for possession to maintain their illusion of legitimacy.

I would discourage any use. I think it's also poignant that the person in possession isn't even a user himself. It makes it clear just how completely innocent he is. I think it makes a point that some may not be aware of- that it's not the use of the drug that's illegal. It's the possession of the substance. It's the fact that substances are banned that fuels all these horrible invasions of privacy to discover them.

I agree.