Since 1977, it’s been technically legal in the State of New York to carry around a concealed bag of marijuana weighing less than 7/8 of an ounce. But you could be forgiven for not knowing this, since getting popped for petty pot possession is easier in New York City than anywhere else on the planet.

It’s a monumental injustice that owes its costly continuation to one simple tactic: tricking people into committing the crime of displaying their marijuana in plain sight:

What’s happening is that disproportionate numbers of black and brown young men, ages 16 to 29, are being duped into publicly revealing their allowable marijuana and then being arrested, thereby gaining a criminal record, advocates say. Police officers will say, “Empty your pockets!” turning a routine stop into an arrest and a police record.

“In 2010 in New York State, there were 54,000 marijuana arrests … 50,000 of them came from New York City, and — surprise, surprise — from neighborhoods that primarily are black, Latino and low income,” says Kyung Ji Kate Rhee, executive director of the IJJRA. “It’s not like these individuals had a felony charge and marijuana happened to be an additional charge … You’re telling me that 50,000 had marijuana in plain view? Does that sound right to you? After that initial point of police contact, they trick you into turning out your pockets.”

Full Article @ Source.

(Source: stopthedrugwar.org)

Our friend Austin Jennings was diagnosed this week with testicular cancer at age 25 and needs surgery as soon as possible to avoid further complications. Without adequate insurance, Austin is facing around $10,000-$30,000 for just the procedure alone. The hospital is requiring this payment in FULL on the day of surgery, or he will not be treated. Since Austin needs this procedure within a couple of weeks, we need your help today. Any donation you can make is highly appreciated — and please, send this to friends, family, and every acquaintance with a big heart that you know! Donations can be made directly to Austin at: www.HelpAustin.com

the first time i ever got high was with austin, so please if you can spare, please help us help our friend and fellow grass smoker!  everyone please reblog and if you can spare even $5, every little bit helps!  he has to have the surgery THIS WEEK to insure that the cancer doesn’t spread! 

-mary

UPDATE: we’ve reached the $10,000 mark!  thanks for everyone’s support and lets keep it coming!

“Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) will introduce “bi-partisan legislation tomorrow ending the federal war on marijuana and letting states legalize, regulate, tax, and control marijuana without federal interference,”

Article Here: http://reason.com/blog/2011/06/22/barney-frank-and-ron-paul-will