http://www.examiner.com/cannabis-culture-in-phoenix/facing-life-prison-for-a-half-ounce-of-medical-marijuana
Alex Webb
, Phoenix Cannabis Culture Examiner December 7, 2011
Chris Diaz
Well now, all other crimes will have to wait, there's a pothead out there trying to score. Why waste the time chasing rapists, murders and meth manufacturers when it's so much easier to nab a stoner. How is it that governments and law enforcement is so against marijuana, but supports viewing the killing of a world leader on TV? We have Disney and Nickelodeon trying desperately to sell sex to our children, and with the rise of child sex offenders their efforts are paying off, but if someone smokes a plant they're attacked as if they were Hitler. I guess none of these Middle aged mothers taking their clothes off forJustin Bieber ever sparked a joint and watched the Big Lebowski. Which one of those statements sounds more illegal? But lets digress...
20-Year-old Chris Diaz is an asthma sufferer from Texas. After learning medical marijuana was a successful treatment for asthma, he headed to California seeking medical treatment. Diaz was approved for medical marijuana in California for his serious condition, so he stocked up on what he could afford and headed back to his home town in Texas.
He was pulled over on a Texas highway for having an expired license tag, a routine traffic stop. But when Diaz wasn't able to produce a drivers' license or proof of insurance this alerted the police officer. Already in custody for a criminal offense, the officer began to search Diaz's car. They found 14 grams of medical marijuana and hashish, medical marijuana is not legal in Texas nor do they recognize medical cannabis cards from other states. Under Texas law, Marijuana possession of less then 2 ounces is a Class B misdemeanor that is punishable with fines and up to six months in jail. But the hash is a totally different story, possession of hashish is a Class 2 felony punishable by up to 20 years including fines if less then 4 grams. Diaz can only wish he was so lucky. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a half ounce must be "Big Time" in Texas. Diaz was indicted by a Brown County grand jury, and now he faces up to life in prison, and without his much needed medication. He is now in jail on a $40,000 bond awaiting trial. Why is Texas so worried about a small amount of pot, so much to the extent to take someone's entire life away? Diaz's real crime was driving in an unregistered plates and without a license and insurance. Some stiff fines and community service will nip that in the bud, but to focus on some small amount of marijuana and treating him like a murder is just plain BS. No one is saying Diaz is innocent, but at the ripe age of 20 he deserves the opportunity to become a valuable citizen. Moral of the story is, stay away from Texas! Alex Webb
NewsFlash420.com
