). In January of 1997, Oklahoma medical marijuana user William Foster was sentenced to a 93-year jail term. He was growing 10 plants and 56 clones in an underground shelter. According to NORML, a clone is defined as a cutting from another plant planted in the soil (Still Crazy). Under federal law, smoking is currently a worse crime than murder, rape, or robbery. A convicted marijuana cultivator may not receive federal funds and benefits; however, many other types of felons may. Even though the cultivation and possession of marijuana are not associated with violence, those convicted of such crimes often receive longer sentences than perpetrators of violent crime. If such strict federal and local laws are made to prevent violent crime, then they should be aimed at such crimes, as opposed to non-violent marijuana offenders. What appears even more outrageous is the existence of local and federal property forfeiture laws. A person merely being investigated for drug charges can have their personal property seized, even if they are not formally charged with a crime. NORMLs report, Still Crazy After All These Years, points out that any personal property, including cash, cars, boats, land, business equipment, and houses may be forfeited. In the extreme case, crooked law enforcement officers target suspected offenders with the sole intent of seizing property. In 1993, 80 percent the seizures made by the federal government were not followed up by a formal charge of a narcotics violation. Marijuana legislation may appear somewhat misguided and in need of reform, but one may ask how it affects the common person who may or may not smoke marijuana.Marijuana prohibition affects every citizen of the United States because of its immense cost to the government at federal and local levels. On average the federal government spends $15.7 billion on narcotics control. Another $16 billion per year is spent by state and local governments to uphold drug laws (St...
