Oct 07, 2008
White House Drug Czar John Walters told the press last month that “people don’t go to jail for the possession of marijuana” and challenged MPP to prove him wrong. In his words, "if you find the unicorn ... I'll buy you a steak dinner." Well Mr. Walters, it took nearly three minutes on Google, but I found your unicorn. Seven of them, actually.
On August 13, 2008, the Clinton County Municipal Court near Jackson, Mississippi sentenced seven people, in unrelated cases, to jail for simple possession of marijuana. That’s seven in one day – an eighth person was sentenced to jail for paraphernalia. And guess what? A quick spot check of the county’s court dockets revealed that this happens all the time.
Jonathan L. Brister - 45 days in jail, $749.50 fine
Michael A. Bryant - 45 days in jail, $769.50 fine
Dwayne B. Thompson - 50 days in jail, $834.51 fine
Alexander Mack Watson - 45 days in jail, $749.50 fine
William P. Lancaster - 45 days in jail, $749.50 fine
Jacob Falcon - 45 days in jail, $749.50 fine
James A. Dugas - 45 days in jail, $769.50 fine
Sharon A. Watson was sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $769.50 fine for possession of paraphernalia.
(Source)
These individuals were arrested with between 1 and 30 grams of marijuana and were not suspected of selling the drug – which is Mississippi's definition of simple possession. They were sentenced based on an obscure law that calls for jail time when marijuana is found in a motor vehicle (§ 41-29-139(c)(2)(B)). The law has nothing to do with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of the drug (DWI is a separate charge that these folks did not receive); it is just a straightforward example of people going to to jail for marijuana possession.
Mississippi is considered one of the 11 states with "decriminalized" marijuana laws. In the other 39 states, the courts don't even need an obscure motor vehicle law to sentence someone to jail for possession. However, Mr. Walters still claims that jail sentences are reserved for drug dealers. It's not the case.
I found the unicorn(s) ... Now where's my steak dinner?