The reason I (he) wasn't convicted every-time is because of plea deals involving other charges. Both of these cases were in the city limits of Kalamazoo. The first time the marijuana charge was dropped when I agreed to plea to a greater charge CCW. And most recently (2006) I was facing charges for manufacturing mj, r&c stolen property, and domestic violence - when I knew that I could fight (and win) all charges against me except for the manufacturing charge, I couldn't because if convicted I'd be charged as a habitual offender (for all of my prior marijuana convictions) and that would've meant mandatory prison time. So I was forced to take a plea deal pleading no contest to the r&c charge (which I was innocent of) to avoid a harsher penalty (prison) with a mandatory minimum involving the marijuana charge. All other charges were dropped and I got probation and restitution fees.
So my case here was all to do with marijuana but in the end, my conviction was for another crime that I didn't even commit. Now I have that scar on my record that makes me look like a thief, when all I really am is a hippie at heart.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the numbers on arrests and convictions for marijuana use can't really be accurately tracked due to the way prosecutors and judges work out plea deals and the presence of mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.

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KzooCPCL Member

If you have a story involving MJ, preferably here in Kalamazoo, share it with us!