High Witness Report

The Great State of New York’s Democratic leadership has finally done it. They have finally done away with the arcane, back-assward Rockefeller Drug Laws.

Thank you, real Democrats of New York. Way to keep the ball rolling.

There is little in life more pathetic and grotesquely ignorant than the example set by the Rockefeller Drug Laws and the mentality that supports such stupidity. The RDL were born of fear and ignorance, and aptly named for the chump who forged them.
Nelson Rockefeller, as Governor of NY, staunchly supported the legislation which was adopted in 1973 and was aimed at locking up non-violent drug offenders for unbelievably long periods of time.
The penalties for selling small amounts of narcotics were equal to the penalties for second degree murder. A minimum of 15 years to life in prison, and a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.
This included Marijuana, which is factually not a narcotic.

The politics of fear and hatred prevailed and many good people had their lives needlessly thrown away.

Now, thank God, due to the efforts of activists and intelligent politicians over the span of many years, the RDL are where they belong. Dead and buried, and much like their namesake, will not be missed.

From Reuters:

NEW YORK, March 27 (Reuters) - New York state relaxed harsh Rockefeller drug laws from the 1970s that required prison sentences for nonviolent drug crimes and will let judges send addicts to treatment programs, state officials said on Friday.

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, at an Albany news conference joined by Governor David Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, estimated this will save the state about “a quarter of a billion dollars” a year.

The governor and the legislative leaders are all Democrats, and Friday’s announcement was a breakthrough for them as years of efforts had produced only limited changes to drug laws. Until last November, the state senate was run by Republicans who repeatedly thwarted campaigns to ease the drug laws. (Reporting by Joan Gralla; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

These fine leaders have restored dignity to the State of New York and sanity to the way gettin’ high is looked at.
The ignorant ones will never understand. For the vast majority of us getting stoned is a positive, productive thing. It’s not for everyone, but the vast majority of us are more productive, better educated, and far more mellow than those who let their daily angst build up without relief.
The hypocrites will continue to get drunk while accusing people who seek easement through different means.
That’s ok. Because we’re right on the doorstep of victory in this “War on Drugs". The anti-drug movement is almost dead.
And there’s nothing the Right Wing can do about it.

Our political allies are many and growing fast. Our public and internet activism has become a powerful political lobby.
The pillars of the prohibition establishment are shaking.

….And you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.