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IL Rep. Mark Kirk Introducing Bill for 25 Year Marijuana Sentences

By Jeralyn, Section Legislation
Posted on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 02:58:16 PM EST
Tags: marijuana, Mark Kirk (all tags)
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Via the Chicago Tribune, Congressman Mark Kirk is introducing a bill to set penalties at up to 25 years for some pot offenses, that would apply to first time offenders:

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk will call for legislation Monday that would toughen drug-trafficking laws regarding a highly potent form of marijuana, with penalties of up to 25 years in prison for a first-time offense. The law would target offenders who sell or distribute marijuana that has a THC content exceeding 15 percent.

Paul at NORML has more. You can send Rep. Kirk your thoughts here.

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    IL Rep. Mark Kirk Introducing Bill for 25 Year Marijuana Sentences | 56 comments (56 topical)

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    This Mark Kirk... (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:18:29 PM EST
    must be on some really good sh*t...he's further out there than James T. Kirk.  Beam him back to the realm of the sane Scotty!

    Worst legislative idea I've heard in awhile...and that is really really saying something.  

    Agreed.... (none / 0) (#6)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:52:29 PM EST
    must be on some really good sh*t

    A pattern at times is those who are the most critical are the ones trying to direct attention away from themselves.

    Parent

    Maybe he is growing denny... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:58:10 PM EST
    and wants to stamp out superior competitors...a good a guess as any because I really don't wanna believe this guy is paid to represent anybody...how embarassing for his constituents.

    Parent
    wiki says he was born in Champaign (none / 0) (#16)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:04:38 PM EST
    so I figured he was my congress critter.  but thank god no.
    looks like the 10th is chicago.


    Parent
    LOL (none / 0) (#19)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:07:56 PM EST
    My stepson was sentenced last week to 37 months in Federal prison. His tenants were paying him $12,000 a month in rent so they could grow mj in the house. Information he had not been straight with us on came out in court.

    But, he wasn't actually selling or growing. He was enabling and pleaded guilty of conspiracy.

    I would have just fined him and given him community service, but that's just me :)

    Parent

    Sheesh - the LOL was (none / 0) (#20)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:08:32 PM EST
    for what you said, not what I said.

    Parent
    He should have... (none / 0) (#40)
    by desertswine on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:31:07 PM EST
    received an award from the local chamber of commerce.

    Parent
    Sorry to hear of a drug war casualty... (none / 0) (#44)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:38:28 PM EST
    so close to home Inspector...3 years in a cage, so infuriating.

    The reason why I'd never risk growing anything...my sweetheart of a landlady getting railroaded.

    Now Kirk thinks we should count the crystals and tack on more years...I'm trying to be better about using the word evil and not throw it around...but when the shoe fits.

    Good luck to you and yours.

    Parent

    I'm pretty sure I remember that convo. (none / 0) (#52)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 05:23:29 PM EST
    Hope his time isn't too hard.

    Parent
    Well, walking in (none / 0) (#54)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 05:45:11 PM EST
    my kids were really sad for their brother, but walking out they felt so betrayed that he hadn't been honest with them.

    Getting $12,000 a month in rent for one house left his dad feeling overly taken advantage of when he was the one who paid all the legal fees.

    There are no federal minimum security facilities nearby, so he will be one or more states away and won't be getting many visitors.

    His sentence was a year longer than the other 6 involved even though they are the ones who did the growing, selling and were in possession of the guns. As long as it's illegal, it is a risky business.

    Parent

    "exceeding 15" (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:22:13 PM EST
    which is pretty much all of it these days.  you cant find "mediocre" pot anymore.  all that is sold is the killer stuff.
    they make more money that way.

    this is insane.  but not surprising.

    What does the "killer stuff" register? (none / 0) (#3)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:39:57 PM EST


    Parent
    you mean (none / 0) (#5)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:51:42 PM EST
    what does it cost?

    Parent
    THC content (none / 0) (#9)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:57:46 PM EST
    is it much higher than 15%?

    Parent
    I only know (none / 0) (#12)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:00:36 PM EST
    it is at least 10 times stronger (and more expensive) than the common on the street stuff used to be.

    it bugs me actually.  I would love to have the old fashioned mexican dirt weed.  forget it.  no one sells it.

    Parent

    This is what google says: (none / 0) (#15)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:01:42 PM EST
    Active Ingredient:
    Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, one of nearly 400 chemicals in a hemp plant, accounts for most of marijuana's psychoactive, or mind-altering, effects. The strength of the drug is determined by the amount of THC it contains. Recent data show the following:

    Most ordinary marijuana has an average of 3 percent THC.

    Sinsemilla, which is made from just the buds and flowering tops of female plants, has an average THC concentration of 7.5 percent, although it can be as high as 24 percent.

    Hashish, a sticky resin obtained from the female plant flowers, has an average of 2 to 8 percent THC and can contain as much as 20 percent THC.

    Hash oil, a tar-like liquid distilled from hashish, generally consists of between 15 and 50 percent THC but can have as much as 70 percent THC.



    Parent
    I wonder how old (none / 0) (#17)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:05:52 PM EST
    this information is.  it has been getting steadily stronger for years and years.

    i know.


    Parent

    Dunno. (none / 0) (#25)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:11:12 PM EST
    Read through this, it has all the up to date info...

    Parent
    well (none / 0) (#28)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:16:03 PM EST
    that says march 15th 2009.  I dunno either.  I dont ask what the percentage is when I get it but I would be shocked if its not way higher than 3%.


    Parent
    So growers could aim for 14% (none / 0) (#18)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:06:21 PM EST
    I absolutely can't imagine getting 25 yrs for a pot "offense".

    Parent
    Just give me... (none / 0) (#31)
    by KoolJeffrey on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:24:50 PM EST
    some good old fashioned resin bongs.

    Parent
    my 20 something coworkers (none / 0) (#34)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:26:33 PM EST
    like to use all the fancy schmancy atomizers and stuff.

    pfft.

    gimme a zigzag and leave me alone.


    Parent

    or what is its potency? (none / 0) (#11)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:58:39 PM EST
    as far as potency I only know its "killer"

    the price is 100 to 110 a quarter oz.

    Parent

    I was just curious because the bad girl (none / 0) (#14)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:01:30 PM EST
    in me is thinking that if it wasn't much higher, maybe there's a 14% "solution". Meaning everyone starts growing and marketing a 14% content to get around his stupid BS idea :)

    Parent
    you know (none / 0) (#29)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:16:50 PM EST
    you are right.  but dammit, I like to smoke joints.

    Parent
    I think joints are the best way to taste... (none / 0) (#49)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:43:29 PM EST
    but the bong is the way to go overall.

    I don't get down with the vaporizers and gadgetry either...its an organic thing, no volts should be required.  But to each their own...going by the traditional meaning of "pro liberty", not the Kirkian newspeak version or course.

    The really scary part is he probably sees no contradiction...Ladies and Gentlemen your United States Congress.

    Parent

    its the (none / 0) (#50)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:49:12 PM EST
    GOP way

    Parent
    DNC... (none / 0) (#51)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:59:52 PM EST
    no better my man.

    The party of "I didn't inhale" and "I don't know what this says about our online audience".

    Parent

    That's cheap (none / 0) (#35)
    by KoolJeffrey on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:26:41 PM EST
    You can pay hundreds more for a quarter of really good chronic.

    Parent
    oh I know (none / 0) (#38)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:29:24 PM EST
    that is bottom of the barrel.


    Parent
    I have been seriously (none / 0) (#42)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:36:13 PM EST
    considering restarting my indoor "farm".  the prices are getting completely insane.

    college 15 bucks an oz
    now    400+ bucks an oz.

    insane.

    Parent

    That's pretty reasonable when you consider (none / 0) (#48)
    by Bemused on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:40:30 PM EST
      inflation  

    I haven't smoked in years but back in the early 80s good Hawaiian bud or Mendocino sinse (retailed for $20 a gram in DC. I believe a pack of smokes cost about 65 cents and a gallon of gas less than that back then.

    Parent

    Yep (none / 0) (#62)
    by KoolJeffrey on Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 09:23:17 AM EST
    You're right about inflation. Only Sinsemilla from the 80's can compare to chronic of today, and that went for about $700/oz. I never thought "tree" prices would reach these heights. I would have bought my great aunt's chicken farm in Nebraska and converted it into a growing factory had I known.

    Parent
    Kirk must be paid off by the Mexican cartels (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Ben Masel on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:39:22 PM EST
    Keep the high end domestic off the market, and that's more business for their low grade.

    Or the prison industry. (none / 0) (#53)
    by desertswine on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 05:38:22 PM EST


    Parent
    I was going to comment but norml... (none / 0) (#4)
    by professorWagstaff on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:47:31 PM EST
    already did it for me.


    "According to the Congressman's website, Rep. Kirk is "pro-personal liberty." Unless, of course, we're talking about the personal liberties of adults (or patients) who wish to relax (or medicate) in the privacy of their own home with a substance that is objectively safer than alcohol (or most prescription pharmaceuticals). Then, naturally, all bets are off."

    I couldn't agree more.

    More at www.norml.org

    Too funny... (none / 0) (#7)
    by kdog on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:54:04 PM EST
    "pro personal liberty"...I really need to get that 10th edition newspeak dictionary because I don't understand my own language at all anymore.

    Parent
    it means (none / 0) (#8)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 03:55:23 PM EST
    personal liberty as long as you do things I approve of.


    Parent
    ROTF! (none / 0) (#32)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:25:16 PM EST
    you know what, ever since high school I have been the person that mothers pointed to and said "if you dont eat your carrots you will end up like him".

    its a badge of honor really.

    Parent

    Ha. I think it was the good ole Doctor... (none / 0) (#47)
    by professorWagstaff on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:39:38 PM EST
    who said, "It's a badge of honor to be loathed by certain people." It just sucks that those certain people are the ones who try to lock you up...

    Parent
    is home-grown 15%? (none / 0) (#13)
    by diogenes on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:01:16 PM EST
    Is home-grown stuff all under 15%, in which case this mainly targets professional growers?
    No one seems to mind the FDC regulating tobacco (i.e. possibility of limiting the amount of nicotine present), after all.  

    I would think that would depend on your seeds (none / 0) (#21)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:08:55 PM EST
    growing ability etc. I recall back in the day doing some seed saving/exchanging . . .

    Parent
    I heard recently that (none / 0) (#24)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:10:24 PM EST
    its not actually illegal to sell seeds.  is this true?    

    Parent
    I have no clue (none / 0) (#27)
    by nycstray on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:15:36 PM EST
    haven't done anything with pot or pot seeds in years. The seeds I save now are from my farmers produce, lol!~


    Parent
    Sterile seeds are legal, fertile not. (none / 0) (#59)
    by Ben Masel on Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 03:46:55 AM EST


    Parent
    most likely (none / 0) (#23)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:09:38 PM EST
    I would think you would have to know a lot about what you were doing to do that or better.


    Parent
    I don't have the details of the bill (none / 0) (#33)
    by Bemused on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:25:41 PM EST
      but current law allows for sentences up to 20 years for first offense marijuana distribution or ciltivation (althoug it would take many thousands of kilos before the guidelines recommended a sentence near the max for a first offense.

      Be that as it may, unlike with other drugs, I think an argument can be made higher potency stuff is actually better for smokers.

      Typical weed which is around 5% THC today requires, obviously, smoking 5 times as much as 25% stuff  to get the same amount of THC ingested. Since sucking smoke into your lungs is obviously not a healthy practice and it's silly to think that many people won't simply smoke 5 times as much if their weed is weaker, high potency weed is arguably a public health benefit.

     

    this is a good point (none / 0) (#37)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:28:46 PM EST
    but a problem for someone like me who, if addicted to anything, is addicted to the pageantry of rolling as much as smoking.

    Parent
    my 20something coworkers (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by Capt Howdy on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:38:33 PM EST
    are far more in awe of my rolling abilities than my effects abilities.

    my father smoked roll your own cigarettes.  he taught me to roll.  for him.
    its the one useful thing he taught me in his entire worthless life.

    the man could roll a smoke while driving with one hand with the windows rolled down.  totally true.

    Parent

    so we should fortify Marlboros? (none / 0) (#56)
    by diogenes on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 10:43:39 PM EST
    So we should fortify Marlboros with nicotine?

    Parent
    Perhaps the ingredients of a Marlboro (none / 0) (#58)
    by nycstray on Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 01:55:24 AM EST
    should be considered first, before the discussion of fortifying them goes forward?

    Parent
    missed the point (none / 0) (#63)
    by diogenes on Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 08:09:02 PM EST
    The point was that more nicotine equals less inhalation of the bad stuff, as was original point that higher potency pot equals less inhalation.

    Parent
    Death Penalty, if you grow, possess, sell enough (none / 0) (#60)
    by Ben Masel on Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 03:49:46 AM EST
    Bill Clinton's "60 New Death Penalties," enacted in the 1994 Omnibus Crime Control Act, and celebrated in the 1996 Democratic Platform.

    Parent
    15% for the whole bag, or (none / 0) (#43)
    by Ben Masel on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 04:38:08 PM EST
    do the narcs get to sift it down to keef before they perform the test?

    If this passes (I strongly doubt it) i'll have a lot mtre work as an expert witness.

    The traitor who told China not to trust us (none / 0) (#55)
    by msobel on Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 06:07:02 PM EST
    http://firedoglake.com/2009/06/12/late-night-elephants-on-parade-11/

    Rachel has the story

    Using this 'logic' (none / 0) (#61)
    by SeeEmDee on Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 06:39:07 AM EST
    Distillers of 151 proof rum should also be locked up for increasing potency. And alcohol kills, while cannabis just sedates when you've smoked too much. Jeez, what a moron...

    IL Rep. Mark Kirk Introducing Bill for 25 Year Marijuana Sentences | 56 comments (56 topical)

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