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Reason Writers on The Alyona Show: Matt Welch Talks Life Sentences for Hash Production
On Wednesday, April 27, Reason Editor in Chief Matt Welch went on Russia Today's The Alyona Show to discuss a new Oklahoma bill making first-time hashish offenders punishable by life in prison. Other topics covered: Gary Johnson, Ron Paul, whether anyone even smokes hash anymore, whether Democratic voters will ever punish their politicians for being awful on the Drug War, and a mandatory minimum prison stay for legislators who propose life sentences for nonviolent crimes.
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Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment or disable your ability to comment for any reason at any time.
Fist of Etiquette|4.28.11 @ 10:38AM|#
"Do you think that it's going to take a conservative lawmaker, a Republican, in order to really, truly attack the drug war?"
The Only Nixon Could Go To China Syndrome is in effect with regard to reform in criminal justice. It will take a Republican former-prosecutor type with strong anti-(actual)crime cred to do it.
Tough on Crime bills like Oklahoma's is gateway legislation, though. Lawmakers will only crave more and stronger legislation if we don't force them into rehab.
|4.28.11 @ 10:39AM|#
whether anyone even smokes hash anymore
Yes they do.
Spiny Norman|4.28.11 @ 10:41AM|#
I tried it once, but the corned beef wouldn't stay lit.
|4.28.11 @ 11:09AM|#
That means you over-brined it, you fool!
Pip|4.28.11 @ 10:53AM|#
Haven't seen it in decades. Nor Thai stick.
Almanian|4.28.11 @ 11:08AM|#
I remember in the mid 80's, it was "dry" in mid-Michigan....except you could get as much opiated hash as you wanted.
Long story short, I never thought I'd get sick of smoking opiated hash and pine for some plain old weed....but I and my friends pined for plain old weed after a summer of opiated hash.
I'd smoke it tonight if I could find some...
|4.28.11 @ 10:53AM|#
How did those freedom hating Muslims take over Oklahoma?!? Those fuckers are everywhere!
|4.28.11 @ 11:09AM|#
""Tough on Crime bills like Oklahoma's is gateway legislation,"'
Funny.
Is there a rehab for congressfolk who can't keep their lawmaking under control?
Almanian|4.28.11 @ 11:14AM|#
Tim McVeigh was really Osama bin Laden's advance man! al Qaeda is EVERYWHERE! SLEEPERCELLS TOURUST MOSQUEOVITCH ZOMG!!!1,1!!!one
|4.28.11 @ 11:14AM|#
Dude actually makes a LOT of sense when you think about it. Wow.
www.complete-privacy.edu.tc
|4.28.11 @ 11:22AM|#
THIS IS WHAT BOTS ACTUALLY BELIEVE
Zeb|4.28.11 @ 11:50AM|#
What the fuck do they think hash is?
dumb fuck politician|4.28.11 @ 12:11PM|#
Hash is to weed what crack is to cocaine!!!!
It is TEH EVUL!
Drug War Reformer|4.28.11 @ 12:35PM|#
The answer is to change it to the death sentence.
NeonCat|4.28.11 @ 3:44PM|#
I read somewhere that Oklahoma was so tough on drugs because it was where Southern fire-and-brimstone Christianity met Old West hang-'em-high justice.
Sounds like a good place to avoid.
Dave|4.28.11 @ 5:19PM|#
"mandatory minimum prison stay for legislators who propose life sentences for nonviolent crimes."
I might be able to make one exception to Freedom of Speech....
|5.2.11 @ 4:45PM|#
Who wants to bet that all the bill's sponsors are good ol' Bible-believin' Evangelicals (aka authoritarians)?