Pubdate: Fri, 03 May 2002
Source: Washington City Paper (DC)
Copyright: 2002 Washington Free Weekly Inc.
Contact:  http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/489
Author: Redford Givens
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n821/a09.html

CRIMINAL PENALTIES

Reading the accusations against Chris Corker (Cheap Seats, "Illegal 
Batter," 4/26) makes me wonder if his name will go down in criminal history 
next to Dillinger and Capone. Good grief, the lad was--gasp!--baking 
marijuana brownies!

One can only wonder what hysteria inspires such fear and loathing in 
schools, police, and court officials who are taking the matter seriously. 
Could Spotsylvania County's William F. Neely's zeal to convict another 
marijuana "criminal" be provoked by notions like:

- - "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the U.S., and most are 
Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz 
and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana can cause white women 
to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others."

- - "The primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effects on the degenerate 
races";

- - "Marihuana influences Negroes to look at white people in the eye, step on 
white men's shadows and look at a white woman twice" (Hearst newspapers 
nationwide, 1934);

- - "Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, 
criminality and death";

- - "Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind";

- - "[Smoking] one [marijuana] cigarette might develop a homicidal mania, 
probably to kill his brother"?

Or has the state of Virginia invented some new lies to justify five- to 
30-year prison sentences for marijuana "felonies"?

The cops and courts in Fredericksburg must not have any rapes, armed 
robberies, kidnappings, child molestings, or murders to deal with, since 
they have so much time to waste on inane marijuana trials.

Redford Givens

San Francisco
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