LEGALITIES

There is a real gap between what the general public hears about in the media (newspapers, TV) and what really goes on in the judicial system and what the final outcome is in any particular case.

Take my case for example. "Man faces serious drug charges", possible 20 years in gaol and $5 million fine. Everyone just thought that that was the last they would ever see of me. Just lock him up and throw away the key. However 8 months later I plead guilty to cultivating 8,000 marijuana plants and only get another 10 months in gaol. The general public weren't told this fact because they would not have believed it. It just didn't fucking make sense.

I believe in the majority of cases the end result is far more lenient than what the general public are led to believe would happen. The newspapers always report even minor cultivation busts. They sensationalise it and reinforce in the general publics mind that cultivating cannabis is one of the most evil things a person could ever do. If they only knew the truth then marijuana law reform may be hastened along.

This chapter deals with the law as it stood when I was busted in 1995. They are constantly changing the laws and maybe by the time this book comes out they will have decriminalised marijuana.

CRIME AGAINST SOCIETY: The law books class this as a crime against society as technically speaking there are no victims such as in a robbery or assault or a murder.