Marjiuana Legalization According to an Officer

While on a ride along with an officer for an internship project for my degree, the topic of marijuana legalization came up. This is what the fine officer, who I will keep nameless, said:

“Well, a lot of officers are very…by the books. Most of the inner city cops are, but the ones here at these small town agencies…we don’t need to do what they do in the city. Our town doesn’t benefit from their arrests and tickets; it goes straight to the county. There’s no push for us to be stringent and tough super cops here. I can’t speak for the other officers, but as for me…I think before I write a ticket or make an arrest.”

He paused for a moment as we turned into a neighborhood with kids playing in the streets. We waved to a few of them and they waved back, shouting their HI’S! and HELLO’S! He continued as drove down the allotment:

“I think of it like this. If there is an 18 or 20 year old kid who casually smokes weed and gets arrested and convicted, that stays with him for life. He might just pay a fine and get a slap on the wrist, but I think of the future. I think of when he’s in his 30’s and 40’s, with children, a wife, and a home…as the years go by life gets more dangerous – he might want to get a gun to protect himself and his family. But because of a stupid decision he made years and years ago, he won’t be able to do that.”

He shook his head in disgust.

“I just don’t agree with that. Everyone should be able to protect themselves, it’s our right. Even if the person is being an ass to me, I think of how he has his own life. How something as…idiotic as pot can ruin certain aspects of someone’s future. It’s not right, and I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night knowing the repercussions of my wanting to bust someone for something that trivial.”

I nodded and asked “So what do you do when you find someone with pot?”

He laughed. “Well, back in the day we could just give them a look and say “Get out of here with that. If I catch you with it again its mine. But today…no…I just make them crush it on the ground and send them away with a verbal warning. They're usually not happy about that.”

 I laughed this time, mentioning that if they didn't want to get caught they shouldn't be carrying it in public anyways. He nodded…and agreed.

How refreshing!

Stay strong and love on!