Woman Dies in Jail While Serving Two and a Half Weeks For Marijuana Possession
From time to time drug warriors tell us that no one goes to jail for marijuana possession. Tell that to Cynthia Prude, whose daughter Theresa died in a Houston, Texas jail over the weekend while serving a two and one-half week jail sentence for marijuana possession.
Thus far, officials aren’t revealing the circumstances or the cause of death, but this isn’t the first time someone has died serving a short jail sentence for marijuana possession. In September 2004, quadriplegic Jonathan Magbie — who used marijuana to relieve the chronic pain lingering from the childhood accident that left him paralyzed — died in the Washington, D.C., jail while serving a 10-day sentence for marijuana possession.
Tagged with: drug warriors and jail and law enforcement and victims by the author
58 comments
That is sickening. How can prohibitionists still believe they are fighting a just war? Is that justice? Cruel and unusual punishment is what it is. I thought the constitution protected us from that. Then again, it supposed to protect states rights as well…
…and all the people who get raped (most of the time young people) while serving short sentences for marijuana possession (or for anything). Our jails are overcrowded.
142 people died in a county jail since 2001. That is a death about every 45 days for 8 years. They WANT people to die !
I WILL NOT VOTE FOR ANYONE AGAINST MARIJUANA !
There are plenty of people in the US who are ignorant enough to think that she got what she deserved.
This needs national attention!!! The mainstream media needs this as their next big news story!!! This a complete shame and a sad loss of human life. WE NEED FEDERAL CHANGE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is freaking sicking!!!! NOBODY should have to die in jail,period!!!! Over cannabis. If anyone says she got what she deserved , they need to be beat. Im very worried that if our leadrs dont change we will have to stop this. The things they are doing and call it right isnt right. I’m actually sick to my stomach at the moment . GOVERMENT CHANGE THIS NOW!!
What do you people expect from American’s Gulags? When will the people stand up and demand true Freedom and Liberty for this country? This is not about about Marijuana, this is about FREEDOM! WAKE UP PEOPLE!
Adolf Hitler did the same to those who opposed him. Why hasn’t some one sent this to the story to the national news? I for one would like to see all incarcerated for just pot possession to be set free. Untill then there will always be a war against the people of this so called ” free country”. I hope that the county or city where this took place are bankrupt by the lawsuit.
And now again why is MJ being keep illegal when it does more harm illegal than legal? Oh that is right because the govt do not like Americans to have rights……. Is this not suppose to be the land of the free and “we the people” according to the US constitution….? This kind of in just is more than wrong it should never have been and make a lot of us Sick to see such things happen just because the govt. wants to keep MJ illegal…..
If MPP wasn’t a bullshit shill organization, marijuana would have been legal years ago. If I had MPP’s budget, weed would have been legal years ago. If anyone things that those who run the drug war, aren’t trying to kill the innocent, ur lost. There are many nazis that r masterbating about this woman’s death tonight. Most of u reading this r one of them.
One of his chief lines is that ‘nobody goes to jail for cannabis anyway’. These stories really need to be brought to the fore. Ambivalence because of perceptions of no real punishment/consequences for cannabis is a very effective device for prohibitionists and we need to confront the issue head on. Don’t forget the inability to get student loans for higher education!
Why is this sort of thing not brought up when a prohibitionist says that no one goes to jail over marijuana possession? Why??
Why are we not holding up a picture of someone who died and saying this is what happens?!
It really makes me wonder. It shouldn’t have happened but it did. I guess the lawyers are really busy on this one.
This has gone wayyyyy to far. There needs to be an organized rally against prohibition in every major city because no one can speak loud enough. You can throw whatever facts at any prohibitionist and they’re still convinced that marijuana has harmed the People when rather prohibition itself has done more harm than Herb. SPEAK LOUDER!
Why aren’t there marches/protests organized for medical marijuana/complete legalization any of this??? I get tired of reading these type of stories, if there are more public events FOR marijuana it can only get more press and bring this closer to ending
Let’s look at this for what it really was:
#1. Woman gets convicted for possession of marijuana.
#2. Woman serves life sentence.
Yes, people go to jail for possession. In this case a woman served a LIFE SENTENCE for possession.
If you dare to have this plant, men with guns will put you in a cage where you could potentially spend THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
How sad….
The punishment doesn’t fit the crime…………………….
Bruce, I really want you guys to adress somthing important. The new propaganda tactic that those corrupt fuckers are using and now they are saying that Kush is the equivilent to crack cocaine and its highly dangerious. Heres the video to see what I mean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0-dMgB_T-k
People I’m thinking this fight has got to be expanded. Look at the poor girl who died in Iran, why isn’t the same outrage happening here. They killed this poor woman for using a weed!! not even protesting …USING A WEED FOR GOD SAKES.
I have to agree. These posts are good for us,but we need to take this out to the people. How can we make this a national news report?
create a capture page and I will send it out……….
just watch-they will say something like ‘OH, well she died because she ate too many bud brownies the night before’ A**h****
this is b***s***
p.s. anyone who thinks she got what she deserved deserves nothing less that to be tared and leafed
I sent this out yesterday and as far as I could tell not a single mainstream newspaper or television station picked it up. It is up to us, this is the information age. Some internet sites did post it. Post this story and other solid information yourself wherever you can. use your e-mail. The tide is turning, but the end cannot come soon enough. So many have died or gone to prison, are still in prison, lost their homes and more. We all need to step it up be prepared to act. It is great to see people are getting much better, this blog and many of the others show it. Get educated, and stand up. The mainstream media and politicians are in our way. Go around them whenever you can. The better we all understand the issue the harder it is for them to get away with crimes like this. Do not wait for someone else to do it is time to just do it yourself. All of us even if you educate one person. What ever you can do just do it.
IIRC the other side’s talking point is that no one goes to PRISON for pot. In other words they’re not counting non-felony JAIL sentances.
Pooch (#18): We’ve been addressing this issue again and again for years. See, for example http://www.mpp.org/assets/pdfs/library/2005POTENCYPAPER.PDF and http://blog.mpp.org/research/marijuana-potency-hype-is-fact-checking-dead/05292009/
Doesn’t anyone else think should be not just news for MPP but for CNN and uh… national television? This is ridiculous. I know FOX News won’t put it on (Neoconservative TV), although I consider myself a traditional conservative.
What we all should do is make a fund and after we have enough money in the fund use it towards air time on national TV With a very good advertisment that is for the cause to legalize and tax MJ. then they can not just blow us off and even IF they were to find a way to then we hit them where it hurts them the most and that is during election time by not voting for any anti Marijuanaists who want to be elected. Let us vote for pro marijuanaists who are with us for the cause.
just watched the super pot video what a joke as strong as crack i don’t think so these people are losing ground and they know it ….show me a teenager that can afford 600$ an Oz ……. more scare tactics
Rember you will never see a man smoke a joint and go home and beat his wife
I’m betting this Kirk guy is trying to push more prisons to be built
Gabe, The Nazis hate all that America stands for, not just Marijuana per se . When you think about the true puppet masters that are running the show, and oppressing the Marijuana Loving Public. I come up with a human who has chosen the dark side. Sold their soul to the Devil for the short time benefit. Fools and Doomed to be cordwood in the Many levels of Hell, screaming curses, and weeping and gnashing their teeth!!! These People are runaway trains coming to your town!!! They live to inflict destruction on Millions, After all it is a war on sheep, is it not? May the lord Jesus Christ be my Avenger!!!
I don’t know shit about computers but I do know about the abuses bestowed on marijuana users. I would like to see this story as well as the thousands of other stories of the war on the people of the this supposedly free country, on the World News, all channels including FOX NEWS. Untill then FOX NEWS can kiss my ASS!
I like Jeremy R’s idea. I think LEAP would be a good vehicle for such a fund. I will send them an e-mail later tonight to see what they think. If any one knows people there why not give them a call.
Id donate but im not 18. Im 17. IF and only IF pot was legalized for the age of 21 I think id be able to wait til 21. I hope its on the ballot im not sure tho if it is for this november. Any one know?
The part that is bothering me the most, is I just watched a 30 minute report on the woman who was shot in Iran(needs our attention true, but why not the one killed in our country), and now I am watching that same network waste 20-30 more minutes on Michael Jackson’s heart attack. WHATS NEXT?! Jon and kate get a 40 minutes on their tearful marriage? WHY IS THIS NOT EVERYWHERE? SHE WAS AN INNOCENT WHO DIED! SHE DID NOT DESERVE THIS!
True crimes are going on in this country now! Screw Iran, look at the Nazis in power now…oppress and silence.
Obama is sickened by the treatment given to the Iranian protesters. He wants to let Iran know that the world is watching. Obama doesn’t give a rat’s ass about American citizens suffering and dying at the hands of the government he is running. Obama is becoming another bush. Obama is a hypocrite.
wtf that is messed up that a guy go to jail for possesion when he was using it for medical purposes this world is fucked im
IM ALL FOR THE LEGALIZING OF POT IT ROCKS AND FEELS GOOD O AND FUCK THE GOVERNMENT FOR FIGHTING BACK AGAINST IT
What we need to convey in maybe a 1 hour info thing about pot is why it was banned. The propaganda that followed. How legalizing it could save money in many ways. And how its the safest drug out there.
i posted a reply to a prohibitionist in my local paper that changed his tune. i wrote at this point what is prohibition accomplishing for us? really why is this particular substance treated like this. i don’t understand why all these people hate cannabis.do they think of cannabis users as the most rude violent and disgusting people this just isn’t the case. i don’t even smoke anymore and i love to be around people smoking. creative funny interesting.
C , I have too agree. I dont smoke any now either,but dont mind being around those that do.
I have a friend that is a serious alcoholic(whiskey). He’s a good guy just has a problem,not violent,but once he slugs down a good deal o’ So Co hes annoying and have to take him home.
Why are cannabis smokers treated so damn harshly? I just dont get it.
wrongful death lawsuit,make them pay until it hurts.listin no more earth weeds are illeagel the ones that have adminted smoking pot and won’t change the law are going to hell.they are not creators of any plant life but just like king george did in england it is already a police state,mind control,and now death i want you to search your heart and tell me that a weed is so important to control that americans must die?
This is horrible, i think if its possible bruce or aaron should try to contact nightline or 20/20 and get this and other personal stories to be highlighted, because its just sad that someone who was supposed to just serve two weeks in prison died. TWO WEEKS! thats no time at all , there should have been no danger, Jail is about being stuck in a cell with no where to go and no one to talk to, jail isnt some government thug house where they put people to forget about them….oh wait no that does seem to be what they do i guess, instead of trying to rehabilitate them.
I have to constantly remind myself that I am not living in Germany anymore. The streets are cleaner there. The People are more reserved, and tend to keep to themselves. I understood why they did not like an occupying Army in there land. The Germany of 2009 has legalized the use of Marijuana as a Medical Treatment for Tourettes Syndrome among other Diseases… If The Country that Brought us two World Wars , along with the Holocoust and Israel reborn out of the Hell of World War Two both acknowledge Marijuana’s Medical Value, Why in GOD’s NAME is America punishing and killing American’s over a plant that most citizens of the World and Most Medical Associations all over the world agree is a beneficial Medicine? Most of our Presidents will have to answer to God about why they allowed this Persecution stand, a slap in the face of every Freedom loving American and a constant excuse for the rest of the World to hate our government as well. Mr. President, I do not want to lump you into this category, but you are the only one who can distinguish yourself as a merciful ruler, The People of America are crying out in pain and Anguish, begging for release!!! Please Help us!!! It’s not too late to become GREAT!!!!! God Bless you Mr. President!!!
And yet the prohibitionists think keeping MJ in prohibition is a good thing. What a screwed up would we are living in. This would have never happened to her IF MJ was decriminalized at least if not was legalized and taxed yet her story proves the facts of what could have prevented this. Yet does our govt. listen? How many more stories like hers is not being heard but are out there and some still to come. Yet Our govt. does not listen.
We need MJ to be at least decriminalized if not legal and taxed to prevent any others that will be most likely to come if they are not as it is.
After this do you think our govt. will listen or when will be enough 10 people how bout 10,000 people for the govt. to listen to us?How many more arrests and prisons do we need?How much more money out of the taxpayers pocket on such a wasted cause such as prohibition?
When I saw this I knew it had to be brought to the media so I personally contacted foxnews , CNBC ,NBC and CNN and gave them the information along with my comment I had just put on here . Hopefully now they will do a story on it to make sure it does not happen again as well as to help stop this in just.
She should have never been in jail for this in the first place and shows to America just how stupid it is to do such a thing and the ignorance of keeping MJ in prohibition. This all could have been avoided and they know that . The question is now what are they going to do about it be for other cases like hers happens?
I sent the story and this letter to amnesty international at this address aimember@aiusa.org ………….they had ask me for money for Iran………..
When you start a campaign to end the police state that is America………Then ask me for help with Iran……Non violent Americans are killed every day by the police (government) and all I see on the news is Iran……who has the largest prison population in the world?…….America……..The facts are clear marijuana is safe and useful when regulated………. in a free country an adult person can decide if or when to use marijuana, that means America is not a free country. Last year over 700,000 Americans were arrested for marijuana in the U.S., most for possession. These are political prisoners being that the laws are unjust and based on pure hysteria. Where is the outcry for these victims. You want financial support you will find it is there for a media campaign to end these needless deaths and incarcerations. Stories like the one I included are shunned by the media in favor of Iran or what ever other country they want to demonize at the moment, and people want the truth about what is happening to us. Thank you for your time and consideration………Robert Petricci
I CAN BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN . THE TEXAS JAILS ARE FULL OF MEXICAN DRUG GANGS AND THEY RUN THESE JAILS ! THE MEXICAN MOBS ARE IN CONTROL OF THE COPS THEY GET PAYED TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY !. AND WHEN THE MONEY STOPS COMING THEN THEY GET PISSED -OFF AND RAID DEALERS THAT DONT PAY …IT IS A FACT THAT THEY KILL ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WILL NOT TAKE PART AND COPS LOCK YOU UP WHEN THEY DONT GET PAID ..THAT IS THE REAL WAR ON DRUGS THE CROOKED COPS ,VIOLENT DRUG DEALERS NOT FROM THIS COUNTRY . IN THE BORDER TOWN OF CARRIZIO SPRINGS TEXAS ,EAGAL PASS,EL PASO , THIS IS HOW THINGS WORK .. THE CARTELS IN THESE TOWNS OWN THESE PLACES NOT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS MOST OF THE PROBLEM..THE EASY MONEY IS TO EASY TO GET WHY WORK ?FOR A GOOD-OLE BOY REPUTATION AND SLIDE OF THE HAND MONEY! ASK YOURSELF HOW MANY GOOD FOLKS ARE DEAD ON THE BORDER THIS YEAR ? AND HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO LET THESE GANGS TAKE OVER OUR SMALL TOWNS … THEY KILL THE SHERRIFF IN CARRIZIO SPRINGS, TEXAS ON A YEARLY SOMETIMES MONTHLY BASIS EITHER YOU TURN YOUR HEAD AND TAKE THE DRUG MONEY OR YOUR DEAD OR MAYBE YOU GET DRUG MONEY FOR A WHILE AND YOU STILL END UP DEAD .THIS IS A TOWN AND TOWNS FROM THE OLD WEST THAT YOU DONT HEAR MUCH ABOUT BUT IT IS A SAD FACT! THIS POOR LADY MIGHT HAVE BUCKED THE SYSTEM OR THE ORDER IN WHICH BIZ. WAS CONDUCTED AND FELL VICTIM TO THE HARSH REAITY OF TEXAS LIFE STYLE. GOD BLESS THIS LADY AND HER LOVE ONES SHE WAS JUST A SMOKER TRYING TO LIVE HER LIFE . I HOPE THAT THIS STORIE GETS SOME COVAGE THE HARRIS COUNTY COPS ARE ALL ON A DRUG DEALERS PAY ROLE IN SOME KIND OF WAY OR ANOTHER. LEGALIZE MJ AND STOP THESE KINDS OF STORIES THIS IS THE USA TODAY. THANKS FOR READING
I was visiting NORML blog on this subject and there is a lot of hate going on. There was another Joel trying to start a hate frenzy.
Lot of emotions of sadness and hate. If it stays like that, people will start turning against each other. If only pot was legal….
IF Obama and the “Drug Czar” are saying “The discussion about legalization is not a part of the president’s vocabulary under any circumstances and it’s not a part of mine.”
Then when election time comes around or when we can we should say to them ” IF The discussion about legalization is not a part of the president’s and yours “Drug Czar” vocabulary then we the peoples saying is simply this we put you and the president into office and in our vocabulary it is called NO RE-ELECTion for either one of you two being we the people such like the victim Theresa Anthony are being imprisoned and more like hers is most likely to come from keeping marijuana illegal and in prohibition yet do you two care about the people who put you two into office? If you two do so care about the American voters who put you two into office then you two better get it into your vocabulary being it is a vast and steadily problem that will continue if it is not legalized and taxed if not at least decriminalized.”
If all of us that smoke weed were killed thenwhat would the gov. do, arrest and jail any one who smokes cigs. or better yet, swears. I do not live in Iran, Russia, China or North Korea. I do not have the freedom to choose my own medicine in my own country. Maybe we need new ELECTED OFFICIALS!
one more thing the u.s.government has a six acre marijuana farm in oxford,mississippi to grow the same thing that she was put in jail for three or four americans still get approximentlyeight ounces to eleven ounces every month
[...] So says the prohibitionist. Well, someone forgot to tell these people. [...]
Hell, If they are not going to end the war on drugs, maybe we should go to the winning side and move to countries where we can all produce and traffic marijuana. It seems no more risky than being a cannabis user in the U.S.
How hard could it be to learn Canadian, eh?
I am a 52yr MMJ Patient who has learned the hard way that all the Laws for MMJ Patients in California only protect you after you are arrested and you are found to be within the State Law Guidelines. They are not Rights at all.. MMJ Patients are all still Outlaws to the Law..Even with a Valid Doctors Recommendation…
country of goverment treason
Tim , You should have the thrill of being arrested without a doctors note , lets see that will be 18 months Probation, constant drug testing and the like. Life is hard tim. Never sell your Medicine or do anything that will compromise your priviledge. It is not a right in the eyes of the Law… There are going to be kills in this war , try to keep your head down..Grow your own and stay within their limits so they can fuck with someone else. You are only as free as you are smart.. Feed your Brain some dust yourself off and start over , now that Law Enforcement knows your story you should be all right now. Do not color out side of their lines. Stay safe tim . God bless you.
For over at least the past 50 years, this Nation has led the World into a Pharmacratic Inquisition by outlawing the natural and legalizing the unnatural with the use of propaganda.
INQUISITION seems to be a very powerful and evil word, but when you look back in history at all the previous Inquisitions, the similarities are obvious and diabolical. Unproven and/or Theological ideologies and/or allegations used to Oppress, Discriminate, Torture, Kill and/or Terminate a part of Society .
It is estimated that the US Judicial system has sentenced those for exercising their freedoms to an astounding estimate of 14 million years.
It is of great importance that we all take the time to educate those in regards to the medical facts and science behind cannabis, and others medicines, so that this Inquisition will not happen to our future generations.
well I really appreciate the MPP and all the do for us including providing forus where we can get the latest information. I think we should all be writing our lawmakers rather than posting here.
I am constantly writing everyone from our county supervisors up to the president. these politicians listen to public opinion thats one of the few things they listen to we all need to keep this issue in their face that way the cant ignore us.
Leave a Comment