Seriously, this insanity has to stop.
I can't even use marijuana -- it just knocks me out -- so I hope that that disclosure heads off any assumption that I'm in this to get high.
But in Michigan, a college student was shot in the chest by police during a search of his off-campus apartment for marijuana. According to reports, he opened the door, and was shot by a deputy in the chest.
Over marijuana. Lethal force? Are you fvcking kidding me?!
UPDATE: The Rec List?! Thanks so much, people. My first-ever rec-listed diary!
Mas ->
From The Holland Sentinal:
Copp was unarmed when a deputy shot him in the chest at his off-campus apartment more than two weeks ago. West Michigan Enforcement Team officers entered the residence on a search warrant.
That deputy remains on paid leave while the Michigan State Police investigate the shooting.
The shooting spurred several student protests ...
Copp’s attorney has said “a few tablespoonfuls” of marijuana were found in the apartment.
So. A "few tablespoonfulls" of pot are worth lethal force, now?
Perhaps there's a reason President Obama received so many questions about legalization during his recent dialogue with the public, via the Web.
Perhaps there's a reason California lawmakers are considering legalization and, duh, taxation of marijuana.
As I said, I can't even use the stuff, and I don't smoke anything. But we need to have smarter action in the U.S. on drugs. Marijuana isn't heroin, nor is it Limbaugh's joy, Oxycontin. Not even close. And that trouble on the Mexican border? A good chunk of the drug cartels' business is in marijuana.
Why wouldn't our government simply take that capital stream away from them, eliminating a chunk of their drug-business relevance?
Derek survived, by the way.
Copp suffered two fractured ribs, a punctured lung and liver damage from the shooting, he said.