With the legalization of pot, will we see any reparations for those who have had their lives destroyed by drug laws?

nope. The injustices of the past must go (for the most part) unaddressed,

No. It was illegal at the time they committed the crime.

No reparations. You have to “charge it to the game.”

Cool idea though. They could have used taxes from the legalized weed to pay for the reparations…

I doubt that the same was done after the prohibition ended. In fact, many “drug dealers”/alcohol sellers, got rich…

In Oakland, people who have been incarcerated for pot get a special carve out for opening cannabis related businesses as a reparation.

And many past convictions are now being expunged from people’s records.

@zenvelo – Thanks. That’s good to hear!

@thisismyusername People’s lives are destroyed by drugs. Not laws.

@si3tech: “People’s lives are destroyed by drugs. Not laws.”

I’m not even sure what this means.

I’d say it ^^ means that people made their own choices to use illegal drugs and that the consequences are their responsibility, not that of the laws they broke or the people who made or enforced them. They’re owed nothing.

One might as well ask if my son is entitled to some compensation for a ticket he got driving at 60 mph when the limit was 55, given that the limit is now 65.

@Jeruba: “One might as well ask if my son is owed some compensation for a ticket he got driving at 60 mph when the limit was 55, given that the limit is now 65.”

Did you really just make the comparison between your son getting a ticket and someone spending a lifetime in jail?

No. I made the comparison I wrote and not the one you wrote.

@Jeruba: “No. I made the comparison I wrote and not the one you wrote.”

Ok, so it’s not relevant to my question?

I don’t think people spend lifetimes in jail for Marijuana! Certainly not on the first bust!

Not all drugs are equal. Marijuana certainly doesn’t ruin lives, except in the case where people go to jail for years over it.

Dutch, you’d be surprised.

I’ve never heard of anyone in the US getting life for possessing less than an ounce of weed for only one bust, but I have heard of people getting 12+ years for a J or two. I think one case was in Missouri and another in TX.

I have heard of people getting even worse punishment in places such as Greece, Singapore, and Turkey, especially during the 70’s and maybe before.

I’d say all of the above are a lot worse than missing an exit, temporary tachycardia, or an occasional cough.

I read an article that seemed to suggest there could be a remote possibility of developing emphysema, if one smokes massive amounts every day for several decades. However, only a sadistically punitive system would punish someone who’s only transgression was against their own lungs.

I have go shopping now, otherwise I’d try to answer the OP itself. ;-p.

Legalisation of marijuana will lead inexorably to gardening.

@thisismyusername: @Jeruba was directly addressing your comment “I’m not even sure what this means.” directly above hers, as evidenced by her use of arrows, not your question.

@Jeruba – I’m sorry I misunderstood what you were saying.

I’m still quite confused about @si3tech‘s comment, and have now re-read your’s, and I’m not convinced that your interpretation of the comment is sufficient. (although I could be wrong. again)

@Dutchess_III – I get the feeling people don’t really understand how devastating drug laws – including those against marijuana – are to many people. There are people that get thrown in for 5, 10, 20 years for minor offenses, and the sentencing varies depending on the state. There is also the issue of prior offenses. Arrests and sentencing also affects whites and poc differently, making this a huge race issue.

Anyway, thanks all. And sorry to @Jeruba and those I may have misunderstood. :)

Edits: ...whose only….

…have to go….

Shopping: such an annoying distraction.

The comparison stands. Whether it be a ticket, jail time, or firing squad matters little insofar as the sentence is not the focal issue. The focal issue in the comparison was, if it was illegal at the time, punnishment is still enforced. These people were not jailed for using cannabis. They were jailed for breaking a law. The law being overturned or altered after said punnishment matters naught. An action made whilst illegal is a breakage of a law.
The possible exception would be if the lawmaker was also overturned. If the government or entity responsible for said law were expunged, victims of those laws perceived as unjust by the new governing body might be released from their sentence.

@thisismyusername I agree with Ron Paul. People should have the right or responsibility of dealing with what is dangerous…

I’ve used marijuana recreationally for about 50 years. I remember, before I took my first toke, or buying my first bag that I would be considered a felon in many people’s eyes. That’s when I MADE THE CHOICE to take the risk.

Anyone who makes such a choice, whether it’s pot or something else illegal, without at least weighing the odds, is acting foolishly.

I used to smoke. I quit when I had my first child. But I never, ever bought any, never had any of my own. Others were more than willing to share theirs. I never even learned how to roll a joing.

As to ”People should have the right or responsibility of dealing with what is dangerous…” But what about those who have to live with someone who drinks too much or uses other, much more debilitating drugs? Their wives, their children? I don’t think anyone has the right do do something that endangers other, innocent people who didn’t make that choice.

@Dutchess_III One of the (few) things I remember learning from my eighth grade civics teacher is that rights carry responsibilities. My right to do (whatever) extends to the point that it impacts another’s rights. In your example, a person’s right to engage in dangerous behavior is nullified by the rights of the children around them to a safe home.

I learned the same thing @Strauss. I just don’t know when or who taught me.

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of a few.” ~ Spock.

A bill earlier this week in Congress seems to address the issue of reparations, especially to some who were given harsh sentences for relatively minor possession charges. This article explains more. Although the bill didn’t make it out of committee, there’s serious talk of tweaking it and reintroduction in the near future.