Tagged: war on drugs

Could marijuana possession soon be the equivalent of a traffic ticket? A Texas House member wants it that way. Current law dictates that anyone caught with under an ounce of marijuana is subject to being convicted of a class B misdemeanor which can equal jail time, but Democrat Rep. Harold Dutton of Houston would like to change that, dropping that criminal charge down to a Class C misdemeanor, which would be punishable by a fine similar to the average traffic ticket.

A former Guadalupe County Judge has pleaded guilty to a charge of marijuana possession, but the judge has a chance to get the verdict off his record.

Former Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins entered the guilty plea last week, saying he was glad the ordeal is over. He was placed on six month deferred adjudication for the Class B Misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.

Authorities in Southern California are confronting the rise in maritime smuggling of illegal immigrants and drugs. If the nation plunges over the fiscal cliff, it would have an immeasurable impact on the border. Navajos have been especially vulnerable to questionable car sales tactics and Arizona school districts are grappling with a federal mandate to improve English language instruction.

Texas Republicans propose a bill to drug test welfare recipients - should we drug test politicians as well? Laws legalizing the possession and use of marijuana passed in Colorado and Washington, is this the beginning of a new era in American drug policy? Mexico has a new president and many are hoping this will mark the beginning of a real solution to the war against the drug cartels. Finally, we just can't let this week go without continuing the discussion on Texas secession.

Panelists: Harley Eagle, Cecila Menjivar, Doris Marie Provine, and David Doerfler. It was moderated by Carolyn Turner. The Panel Discussion is a culmination of all the views and issues presented at the symposium, which focused on the U.S. criminal justice system and, in particular, racism, the "drug war",  immigration, and the concept of restorative justice.

Panelists Included

David Doerfler