If you have not already heard, Tommy Chong of "Cheech and Chong" fame is currently serving a 9-month sentence for selling drug paraphernalia over the internet.
He was arrested under the DEA's "Operation Pipe Dreams", an effort put into effect by Attorney General John Ashcroft and DEA Administrator John B. Brown.
"With the advent of the Internet, the illegal drug paraphernalia industry has exploded," Ashcroft said.
Tommy Chong pleaded guilty and got sentenced to 9 months in jail.
A bit ridiculous? Definitely.
Is it possible that Chong got a heavier sentence because of who he is? Most likely. After all, the DEA sees Chong as nothing more than a man who has made his living off of drug comedy, so they made him the "example".
Is this justice? No.
Here are some statistics:
According to the 2003 budget for the United States Department of Justice, it will cost taxpayers $25,327 to care for each inmate for one year. (That's $18,995.25 for 9 months.)
....And keep in mind that Tommy Chong was not arrested or convicted of drug possession or possession with intent to distribute - he was just selling glass pipes and other "paraphernalia".
What questions should we be asking?
1. How much are we paying in taxes to punish these minor offenders?
2. Could that money be better spent on other things (you know, like all that "terror" stuff we keep hearing about)?
3. What is the real reason Marijuana is considered "illegal"? (Could it be that it's a weed that can grow anywhere and cannot be regulated by the government? What?! The government gets no money?!)
4. Is selling a glass pipe equal to selling actual drugs? (DEA Administrator Brown thinks so.)
5. Will these pipes stop the use of empty coke bottles and empty honey bears? (seriously doubtful).
6. What's the point?
The US government should free Tommy Chong and issue a public apology to him.
....And for the record, I don't use marijuana. I am just an American who loves freedom, hates "Big Brother" government, and despises government waste.
More info:
Free Tommy Chong!
US Department of Justice Budget
Operation Pipe Dreams
NORML
Interesting arrest statistics
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