cannabisnews.com: Potheads and Illegals Hold Fourth





Potheads and Illegals Hold Fourth
Posted by FoM on April 21, 2000 at 07:56:19 PT
Cypress Hill will light up huge joints on bus
Source: Arizona Republic
If you thought it was ludicrous when a federal court ruled that U.S. Border Patrol agents can no longer stop somebody because they look Mexican, wait until you get a load of this one: On May 5, three known marijuana users will get really, really high in west Phoenix. They will then loudly boast their love for the drug in front of thousands of people. 
But despite knowing this weeks ahead of time, federal drug agents are powerless to stop them. The three known marijuana users are known collectively as the rap group Cypress Hill. They really like marijuana. It's a running theme through their songs. "Like Louie Armstrong played the trumpet, I'll hit dat bong," goes a verse on the tune, Insane in the Brain. They'll be at Desert Sky Pavilion for a concert on Cinco de Mayo, and it's a safe bet they will indulge before, after, and possibly, during their show. But law enforcement won't bust them. "Someone's self-admission is not going to meet the burden of probable cause to give us a search warrant," said Tom Raffanello, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration. What that mouthful means is that the DEA can't search for drugs on people just because they talk about using them. That might seem ludicrous. But that's the way it is. It also might seem ludicrous that U.S. Border Patrol agents cannot consider race when determining whether or not to stop somebody and question their citizenship. But that's also the way it is, thanks to the recent ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The reason the Border Patrol can't stop people simply because they look Mexican is the same reason the DEA can't search professed potheads. That reason is called the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which is designed to keep law enforcement from overstepping its bounds. Even if it means some lawbreakers go free. The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Courts have said that the word "seizure" doesn't just mean arrest, but applies to any time police stop somebody, no matter how briefly. To stop somebody, an officer needs to have reasonable suspicion that person has committed or is about to commit a crime. Hunches don't cut it. Even if that hunch is based on somebody wearing a marijuana leaf on his cap and bragging about how much he smokes it. The same principle keeps officers from stopping people simply because they're pulling out of a bar's parking lot. An officer needs to see weaving or some other sign of impairment before ordering the driver to pull over. Looking Mexican is not enough, on its own, to warrant a stop by the Border Patrol. Not anymore. Agents need to spot other suspicious signs before deciding to make a stop. So, on this Cinco de Mayo, the following will likely happen: Cypress Hill will light up huge joints on their bus. People will get behind the wheel after stumbling out of crowded bars. And Mexicans will be smuggled across the border, partially aided by the fact Border Patrol agents don't stop every car whose driver has a "Hispanic appearance." It's probably not exactly the picture the framers of the Constitution had in mind. But it's what they intended. Even if at times, it seems they must have been high. Reach Ruelas at Richard.Ruelas ArizonaRepublic.com or (602) 444-8473Published: April 21, 2000Copyright 2000, Arizona CentralRelated Article & Web Site:Cypress Hill's Web Sitehttp://www.cypressonline.com/ Cypress Hill Locks In ''Smoke Out'' Lineup http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2688.shtml
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Comment #4 posted by gankin bud on May 09, 2001 at 06:36:20 PT:
its ok
i think smokin weed is alright
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Comment #3 posted by legalizeit on April 21, 2000 at 12:36:01 PT
Email this jerk
At least the AZ Republic put this racist, constitution-bashing pig's email address in there, so you can write and tell him what you think about his wonderful op-ed.
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Comment #2 posted by Alexandre Oeming on April 21, 2000 at 10:46:40 PT:
Write a LTE today!
>If you thought it was ludicrous when a federal court ruled that U.S. Border Patrol agents can no longer stop somebody because they look Mexican, wait until you get a load of this one: Well, they'd probably rule against me beating this idiot senseless b/c he's just plain stoopid, too. If you cannot tell an illegal alien or drug user from their appearance or exercising their First Amendment rights, too bad.>On May 5, three known marijuana users will get really, really high in west Phoenix. They will then loudly boast their love for the drug in front of thousands of people. Yup. Must really grate the antis, huh? As far as i know, being intoxicated on an illicit substance isn't a crime. I could be incorrect in that assumption, tho. Either way, you cannot criminalize someone for exercising their right to free speech. Apparently, this guy thinks this should change. Whattaguy.>But despite knowing this weeks ahead of time, federal drug agents are powerless to stop them. Could that be that they haven't committed a crime yet? This isn't rocket science here.>The three known marijuana users are known collectively as the rap group Cypress Hill. They really like marijuana. It's a running theme through their songs. Yea. I'm pretty fond of these guys.>"Like Louie Armstrong played the trumpet, I'll hit dat bong," goes a verse on the tune, Insane in the Brain. Good, quality writing, if you ask me. They know their cannabis user history.>They'll be at Desert Sky Pavilion for a concert on Cinco de Mayo, and it's a safe bet they will indulge before, after, and possibly, during their show. Look, moron, a "safe bet" doesn't equal a crime in this country, no matter how much you and the jackbooted thugs wish it did. Deal with it. This is an absolute joke.>But law enforcement won't bust them. They better not try until a crime is actually committed. How thick is the humidity down in AZ these days? This guy is choking on it.>"Someone's self-admission is not going to meet the burden of probable cause to give us a search warrant," said Tom Raffanello, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hey! The pigs are showing some respect for common sense and the law at the same time! Who woulda thought?>What that mouthful means is that the DEA can't search for drugs on people just because they talk about using them. Duh. As if someone needs THIS guy to translate for the rest of us.>That might seem ludicrous. But that's the way it is. Ludicrous?!? It's called living under the 4th Amendment to the Constitution of our country! Where does this guy think this is? Some banana republic?>It also might seem ludicrous that U.S. Border Patrol agents cannot consider race when determining whether or not to stop somebody and question their citizenship. Geez, i sure hope not. There are other white people in the world than just in the US, you know. Sheesh.>But that's also the way it is, thanks to the recent ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. I'd like this guy to be stopped and strip-searched b/c he might be an illegal from Canada. Or maybe some Italian that just worked on his accent. We'll see who's so damn smug then.>The reason the Border Patrol can't stop people simply because they look Mexican is the same reason the DEA can't search professed potheads. >That reason is called the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which is designed to keep law enforcement from overstepping its bounds. Even if it means some lawbreakers go free. Too bad, so sad.>The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Courts have said that the word "seizure" doesn't just mean arrest, but applies toany time police stop somebody, no matter how briefly. Or maybe also include that "brief stop" as a "search", too. What is this guy's beef with the 4th Amendment? He doesn't like Mexicans? Maybe he doesn't like Cypress Hill? Pretty shoddy excuses and those are the only things i can come up with, other than being on the payroll of the DEA or the Border Patrol. Makes me want to go home and hang myself.>To stop somebody, an officer needs to have reasonable suspicion that person has committed or is about to commit a crime. Yea, and being of Latino descent or saying you dig smoking ganja ain't enough, no matter how much you wish it was.>Hunches don't cut it. Even if that hunch is based on somebody wearing a marijuana leaf on his cap and bragging about how much he smokes it. Yea. You might hate pot smokers to high heaven, but you've got a leash too, buddy. Maybe now, you need a muzzle, but that would violate YOUR 1st Amendment rights and i'll let you keep those. How about you let us keep the 4th?>The same principle keeps officers from stopping people simply because they're pulling out of a bar's parking lot. An officer needs to see weaving or some other signof impairment before ordering the driver to pull over. How can he see such common sense and yet put out the stench of such a bigoted, hate-filled repressor? Sounds like somebody needs a hug!>Looking Mexican is not enough, on its own, to warrant a stop by the Border Patrol. Not anymore. Agents need to spot other suspicious signs before deciding to make a stop. Sounds like a step in the right direction to avoiding acting like some superior racist. I'm writing a LTE as soon as this rant is done.>So, on this Cinco de Mayo, the following will likely happen: >Cypress Hill will light up huge joints on their bus. If the cops can't get their s*** together enough to get a search warrant, then too bad. Cry me a river. These guys are supposed to be professionals and they're getting outwitted by some rapping stoners? Vhat a country!>People will get behind the wheel after stumbling out of crowded bars. Probably. Where's the mob to protect us from the evil booze? Oh, that's right, booze doesn't harm anyone, some moron behind the wheel does. How this applies only selectively to booze and not MJ is beyond me, but pretty logical in DEAFantasyLand.>And Mexicans will be smuggled across the border, partially aided by the fact Border Patrol agents don't stop every car whose driver has a "Hispanic appearance." What about all the white drivers that are smuggling the Mexicans in? This guy sounds like some angry 8th grader with an assignment that he put exactly no thought into whatsoever.>It's probably not exactly the picture the framers of the Constitution had in mind. But it's what they intended. They intended for the laws to work as best as they might in an imperfect world, despite your bitching about such imperfections. Jeez, go jump off a cliff or something.>Even if at times, it seems they must have been high. Hey, even stoners can stop when they want to. You'll still be stupid as a rock every morning. Enjoy life.[this piece of "writing" just got under my skin, so i hope everyone forgives my extreme lack of brevity ... bygones]
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Comment #1 posted by Alexandre Oeming on April 21, 2000 at 10:46:39 PT:
Write a LTE today!
>If you thought it was ludicrous when a federal court ruled that U.S. Border Patrol agents can no longer stop somebody because they look Mexican, wait until you get a load of this one: Well, they'd probably rule against me beating this idiot senseless b/c he's just plain stoopid, too. If you cannot tell an illegal alien or drug user from their appearance or exercising their First Amendment rights, too bad.>On May 5, three known marijuana users will get really, really high in west Phoenix. They will then loudly boast their love for the drug in front of thousands of people. Yup. Must really grate the antis, huh? As far as i know, being intoxicated on an illicit substance isn't a crime. I could be incorrect in that assumption, tho. Either way, you cannot criminalize someone for exercising their right to free speech. Apparently, this guy thinks this should change. Whattaguy.>But despite knowing this weeks ahead of time, federal drug agents are powerless to stop them. Could that be that they haven't committed a crime yet? This isn't rocket science here.>The three known marijuana users are known collectively as the rap group Cypress Hill. They really like marijuana. It's a running theme through their songs. Yea. I'm pretty fond of these guys.>"Like Louie Armstrong played the trumpet, I'll hit dat bong," goes a verse on the tune, Insane in the Brain. Good, quality writing, if you ask me. They know their cannabis user history.>They'll be at Desert Sky Pavilion for a concert on Cinco de Mayo, and it's a safe bet they will indulge before, after, and possibly, during their show. Look, moron, a "safe bet" doesn't equal a crime in this country, no matter how much you and the jackbooted thugs wish it did. Deal with it. This is an absolute joke.>But law enforcement won't bust them. They better not try until a crime is actually committed. How thick is the humidity down in AZ these days? This guy is choking on it.>"Someone's self-admission is not going to meet the burden of probable cause to give us a search warrant," said Tom Raffanello, a spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hey! The pigs are showing some respect for common sense and the law at the same time! Who woulda thought?>What that mouthful means is that the DEA can't search for drugs on people just because they talk about using them. Duh. As if someone needs THIS guy to translate for the rest of us.>That might seem ludicrous. But that's the way it is. Ludicrous?!? It's called living under the 4th Amendment to the Constitution of our country! Where does this guy think this is? Some banana republic?>It also might seem ludicrous that U.S. Border Patrol agents cannot consider race when determining whether or not to stop somebody and question their citizenship. Geez, i sure hope not. There are other white people in the world than just in the US, you know. Sheesh.>But that's also the way it is, thanks to the recent ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. I'd like this guy to be stopped and strip-searched b/c he might be an illegal from Canada. Or maybe some Italian that just worked on his accent. We'll see who's so damn smug then.>The reason the Border Patrol can't stop people simply because they look Mexican is the same reason the DEA can't search professed potheads. >That reason is called the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, which is designed to keep law enforcement from overstepping its bounds. Even if it means some lawbreakers go free. Too bad, so sad.>The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Courts have said that the word "seizure" doesn't just mean arrest, but applies toany time police stop somebody, no matter how briefly. Or maybe also include that "brief stop" as a "search", too. What is this guy's beef with the 4th Amendment? He doesn't like Mexicans? Maybe he doesn't like Cypress Hill? Pretty shoddy excuses and those are the only things i can come up with, other than being on the payroll of the DEA or the Border Patrol. Makes me want to go home and hang myself.>To stop somebody, an officer needs to have reasonable suspicion that person has committed or is about to commit a crime. Yea, and being of Latino descent or saying you dig smoking ganja ain't enough, no matter how much you wish it was.>Hunches don't cut it. Even if that hunch is based on somebody wearing a marijuana leaf on his cap and bragging about how much he smokes it. Yea. You might hate pot smokers to high heaven, but you've got a leash too, buddy. Maybe now, you need a muzzle, but that would violate YOUR 1st Amendment rights and i'll let you keep those. How about you let us keep the 4th?>The same principle keeps officers from stopping people simply because they're pulling out of a bar's parking lot. An officer needs to see weaving or some other signof impairment before ordering the driver to pull over. How can he see such common sense and yet put out the stench of such a bigoted, hate-filled repressor? Sounds like somebody needs a hug!>Looking Mexican is not enough, on its own, to warrant a stop by the Border Patrol. Not anymore. Agents need to spot other suspicious signs before deciding to make a stop. Sounds like a step in the right direction to avoiding acting like some superior racist. I'm writing a LTE as soon as this rant is done.>So, on this Cinco de Mayo, the following will likely happen: >Cypress Hill will light up huge joints on their bus. If the cops can't get their s*** together enough to get a search warrant, then too bad. Cry me a river. These guys are supposed to be professionals and they're getting outwitted by some rapping stoners? Vhat a country!>People will get behind the wheel after stumbling out of crowded bars. Probably. Where's the mob to protect us from the evil booze? Oh, that's right, booze doesn't harm anyone, some moron behind the wheel does. How this applies only selectively to booze and not MJ is beyond me, but pretty logical in DEAFantasyLand.>And Mexicans will be smuggled across the border, partially aided by the fact Border Patrol agents don't stop every car whose driver has a "Hispanic appearance." What about all the white drivers that are smuggling the Mexicans in? This guy sounds like some angry 8th grader with an assignment that he put exactly no thought into whatsoever.>It's probably not exactly the picture the framers of the Constitution had in mind. But it's what they intended. They intended for the laws to work as best as they might in an imperfect world, despite your bitching about such imperfections. Jeez, go jump off a cliff or something.>Even if at times, it seems they must have been high. Hey, even stoners can stop when they want to. You'll still be stupid as a rock every morning. Enjoy life.[this piece of "writing" just got under my skin, so i hope everyone forgives my extreme lack of brevity ... bygones]
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