General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums5 Ways to Avoid Getting Busted for Pot
5 Ways to Avoid Getting Busted for PotHow not to become a statistic in our nation's enormous, expensive war on marijuana.
by Scott Morgan
April 9, 2012
Each year, close to a million Americans are arrested for possessing marijuana, and many millions more are targeted and searched by police on suspicion of being a marijuana user. It's an incredible waste of limited law enforcement resources, and the experience of being harassed, arrested, and slapped with a criminal record isn't exactly getting rave reviews from anyone either. Heck, even cops are getting sick of this idiocy.
I've spent several years teaching the public how to deal with police. I've heard more than my share of horror stories from people who froze up when confronted by the cops and soon found themselves in the back of a squad car. When that happens, chances are it wasn't because they hurt someone, but rather, because they possessed a small amount of marijuana.
Now that half the nation is in favor of legalizing marijuana, there is hope that we'll soon see a day when none of us are placed in handcuffs for having a little pot in our pockets. But until then, those who use marijuana - whether to treat an illness, or simply as part of a healthy lifestyle - should have a plan prepared just in case they find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The following tips are designed to help responsible adults avoid becoming statistics in our nation's enormous, expensive and embarrassing war on marijuana.
1. Don't Consent to Searches
2. Don't Let Them Into Your House
3. Ask if You're Free to Go
4. Don't Do Dumb Stuff in Public
5. Don't Snitch on Yourself
Read the full article and details on the tips to avoid getting busted for pot at:
http://www.alternet.org/drugs/154845/5_ways_to_avoid_getting_busted_for_pot/?page=entire
If you have any additional advice please post it! BBI
Uncle Joe
(58,596 posts)Thanks for the thread, Better Believe It.
msongs
(67,509 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Don't use pot outside of the comfort of your home, where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy?
Mariana
(14,863 posts)I really never thought it would happen to me, but I was put into that position last summer. They came to my door and told me they had some information that (illegal act) may be going on at my house. They said they wanted to come in and "check it out". I was thoroughly intimidated and shook and stuttered but I managed to convey them that I wasn't going to let them in unless they had a warrant. They didn't like that much, but they went away and I haven't heard from them since. I'm very glad that I was prepared and knew what to do.
They were in plainclothes, but I saw the badge through the sidelight before I opened the door. They tried to do that thing you see on TV where they kinda start to step in at the same time they're asking if they can come in. I quickly stood in their way so they couldn't go any further without pushing me back, and then I stepped outside and pulled the door closed behind me. They did not step back, so I had my back pressed against the closed door with them way into my personal space. Like I said, they were very intimidating. Then they gave me the story and asked to come in. They tried real hard to get me to say that maybe (illegal act) might be going on without my knowledge. Would that give them cause to search without permission? I don't know, but I wouldn't say it. Just "No, sir, it hasn't happened here" and "No, sir, you may not come in."
Comrade Grumpy
(13,184 posts)Or talk to them at all.
Mariana
(14,863 posts)But they'd have likely come back later, and I might not have been there to handle it. My husband doesn't get it and would probably let them in, no matter how many times I've explained to him that he shouldn't ever do that. My 16 year old gets it, but she's not very assertive and their intimidation tactics may very well work with her. No, it was best for all concerned that I dealt with it then and got it over with.
To this day I don't know where they got the idea that (illegal act) was going on in my house. Weird.
It's good this stuff gets posted from time to time. People need to know. I actually had a high school teacher who taught his classes how to assert our rights when dealing with police. He even showed us vids very similar to some of the ones available today. I wish everyone were so fortunate.
KG
(28,753 posts)sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)Response to Better Believe It (Original post)
Tesha This message was self-deleted by its author.
Sirveri
(4,517 posts)I mean, seriously, that's probably the best way to not get busted for it, not fool proof, but yeah.
Disclaimer: I've smoked, don't care if you smoke, support legalization, etc.
sylvi
(813 posts)Not just those involving pot.
Rights should be asserted even if one has "nothing to hide", lest they wither and atrophy like an unused muscle.