Should drug possession result in a criminal record?

[Idaho]

We've had a few discussions on drugs over the years and while there are a range of views there does seem to be (from my reading) a general consensus that locking people up and ruining their job prospects for possession is pointless. I really wanted to confirm this with a poll.

This isn't a wider question of legislation or decriminalisation. I just want to pin the issue down at a personal level.

The situation is this:

Your friend has been caught with a personal quantity of drugs. Should he/ she risk a prison sentence or have his/ her job prospects damaged?

[Lemur]

Against the criminalization of drugs away, so my position should come as no surprise.

When I was managing a staff of 30 people, two of my best were potheads. I was not willing to lose them because of (a) stupid regulations, and (b) the length of time THC remains detectable in urine. So I peed in bottles for these two guys several times while I was a supervisor. (I am Mr. Clean when it comes to drugs, which has no bearing on whether or not I think they should be decriminalized.)

I have never met a violent pothead. I have known many violent drunks. The illogic and waste of the drug war never ceases to amaze me.

[Kadagar_AV]

As you phrase the question as the friend having been "caught", one must assume he/she has done something illegal.

I don't believe in victimless crimes.

[Lemur]

I don't believe in victimless crimes.

Why on earth not? Are you saying that everything illegal must therefore have a victim? Or what?

[Kadagar_AV]

Why on earth not? Are you saying that everything illegal must therefore have a victim? Or what?

Why else would it be a problem for someone else?

Me smoking weed at home playing TW - not a crime.
Me smoking weed out on town, trying to stab people in the eye with a hamburger - possibly a crime.

[Idaho]

Why else would it be a problem for someone else?

Me smoking weed at home playing TW - not a crime.
Me smoking weed out on town, trying to stab people in the eye with a hamburger - possibly a crime.

You are at home doing just that. There is a knock at the door. You stub out, pause tw and get the door. At the door is a policeman asking about a missing dog in the neighborhood. Sniff, sniff... whats that? Probable cause. You're nicked.

[Kadagar_AV]

You are at home doing just that. There is a knock at the door. You stub out, pause tw and get the door. At the door is a policeman asking about a missing dog in the neighborhood. Sniff, sniff... whats that? Probable cause. You're nicked.

I wasn't arguing against that being the case... It just, you know, shouldnt be :)

[Fragony]

You are at home doing just that. There is a knock at the door. You stub out, pause tw and get the door. At the door is a policeman asking about a missing dog in the neighborhood. Sniff, sniff... whats that? Probable cause. You're nicked.

You actually have to allow them entrance if they think they smell something?

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

You are at home doing just that. There is a knock at the door. You stub out, pause tw and get the door. At the door is a policeman asking about a missing dog in the neighborhood. Sniff, sniff... whats that? Probable cause. You're nicked.

They need a warrant to search your property - you don't have to let them in. They could nick you, take you in for questioning, go to a judge for a warrant so they can go to your house and bag the spliff but you and I know they won't.

In answer to the question - if one of my friends has been caught it's because they've been smoking dope on the street, otherwise they wouldn't have been caught. I do happen to believe that should be a crime.

[Kralizec]

I don't claim to be an expert on every drug in existence. Cannabis is fine, but I'm not sure about other drugs. Even then though I'd only approve confiscation & fine as measures to discourage it. Prison time and a criminal record for possesing any drugs for personal use are way overboard in my opinion.

Me smoking weed at home playing TW - not a crime.

Possession is a crime in most jurisdictions, regardless of where you intend to use it.

(I don't think that the actual ingestion of drugs is illegal anywhere, but I could be wrong)

[Fragony]

Not for small quantities. If you have a little it certainly wouldn't get you into trouble here