A real life example of the absurd application of our drug laws. This time in Kansas, where mushrooms bring more time than murder:

Stephen Fletcher II tried to grow some psychedelic mushrooms in his Lawrence apartment. Tremain V. Scott shot and killed a man at close range during an armed confrontation, then, according to an eyewitness, took the victim's gun and shot him with it as he lay on the ground. An autopsy showed the victim had been shot 18 times.

Both Fletcher and Scott are in their early 20s and have little or no criminal-conviction record, their attorneys say. So who's facing the stiffer sentence? Fletcher, by double.

Under state drug-sentencing guidelines, he's facing at least 11 1/2 years in prison unless a judge finds "substantial and compelling" reasons to lighten the sentence. Under a separate set of guidelines for all nondrug crimes, Scott faces between four and six years in prison for his violent crime.

Breaking it down mathematically for you:

Attempted manufacture of mushrooms: Between 11.5 years and 12.8 years if defendant has no criminal record.

Voluntary Manslaughter: 4.6 to 5.1 years if defendant has no criminal record. Second-degree murder would have been between 9 and 10.25 years.

[link via Drug War Rant .