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.

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

"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.

[sage]

whether anyone even smokes hash anymore

Yes they do.

[Spiny Norman]

I tried it once, but the corned beef wouldn't stay lit.

[Episiarch]

That means you over-brined it, you fool!

[Pip]

Haven't seen it in decades. Nor Thai stick.

[Almanian]

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...

[SugarFree]

How did those freedom hating Muslims take over Oklahoma?!? Those fuckers are everywhere!

[TrickyVic]

""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]

Tim McVeigh was really Osama bin Laden's advance man! al Qaeda is EVERYWHERE! SLEEPERCELLS TOURUST MOSQUEOVITCH ZOMG!!!1,1!!!one

[ZagFee]

Dude actually makes a LOT of sense when you think about it. Wow.

http://www.complete-privacy.edu.tc

[sage]

THIS IS WHAT BOTS ACTUALLY BELIEVE

[Zeb]

What the fuck do they think hash is?

[dumb fuck politician]

Hash is to weed what crack is to cocaine!!!!

It is TEH EVUL!

[Drug War Reformer]

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.

The answer is to change it to the death sentence.

[heller]

Are you serious?

[NeonCat]

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]

"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....

[DS]

Who wants to bet that all the bill's sponsors are good ol' Bible-believin' Evangelicals (aka authoritarians)?