Oklahoma Senate Passes Life Sentence for Hash Making

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #681)
Drug War Issues
Hashish
Personal Marijuana Use
Politics & Advocacy
State & Local Legislatures

The Oklahoma Senate Wednesday passed a bill that would mandate a sentence of up to life in prison for making hashish out of marijuana. The House has already approved the measure, but it must go back to the lower chamber for a final vote.

[image:1 align:right caption:true]The measure sailed through the Senate with little debate, passing on a vote of 44-2. The House also approved the measure by a large margin, passing it on a vote of 75-18.

The bill, House Bill 1798, creates a new felony of converting marijuana into hash. A first conviction could garner a $50,000 fine and prison sentence of two years to life. And that's a mandatory minimum two years. Second or subsequent convictions would net doubled penalties.

Oklahoma legislative analysts said the bill would cost the state $56 per day, or more than $20,000 a year, for each day someone is imprisoned. At that rate, if Oklahoma imprisoned five hash makers for 10 years each, the bill to taxpayers would be one million dollars.

The bill was the brainchild of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD), which says on its web site that its mission is "to serve the citizens of Oklahoma in the quest for a drug-free state."

According to the Tulsa World, OBNDD said there have been "few" cases of hash making in the Sooner State. But OBNDD spokesman Mark Woodward said the goal of the bill is to "send a message" that illegal drugs won't be tolerated in Oklahoma.

Neither, apparently, will common sense or a sense of proportionality.

News Brief
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Comments

saynotohypocrisy (not verified)

They like to call themselves the buckle of the Bible Belt, but Jesus hated hypocrisy and they wallow in it. Keep pretending alcohol isn't way more dangerous than cannabis, Oklahoma. Enjoy the alcohol related and prohibition related violence that you create with your despicable bigotry.

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 2:43pm Permalink
Henny P. (not verified)

I wonder if the "hollier than thou"   crew in OK knows about what the BIBLE says concerning Cannnabis.  

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.     I'm pretty sure HASH comes from a seed bearing plant, although we rather it not lol....    Its quite nice to know me n a buddy could been sent to prison for that amount of time for just fooling around

http://bible.cc/genesis/1-29.htm

Tue, 04/26/2011 - 3:06pm Permalink
Anonymous2144 (not verified)

There's credible Biblical scholars who believe the "Anointing Oil" included hashish oil.  And in Jerusalem, the traditional recipe includes hashish oil.

Wed, 04/27/2011 - 5:02am Permalink
West (not verified)

I agree that they are misled but I think that they are ignorent, most people pushing a ban on all drugs are older citizens who were brainwashed at an earlier age (unlike us) and tend to hold to their convictions stronger (or just plain stubborn) that along with earlier propaganda creates our biggest enemy. they are slowly dieing off tho, and support for legalization has grown as a younger more educated group has come into our own. I dont expect weed and hash being illegal for more than another 4 years if even

Wed, 09/28/2011 - 3:12pm Permalink
ONE SAD FELLOW… (not verified)

I am an Oklahoma by birth, and I am completely saddened by this news, I do not live in that state now and after this ruling I will never move back there! It's a sad day for Liberty in that messed up state! Good luck to all you Oklahomans that have to put up with these crooks! I WILL NEVER MOVE BACK TO OKLAHOMA!

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 2:54pm Permalink
ONE SAD FELLOW… (not verified)

I am sad to see this is going on, I am an Oklahoman by birth, but I do not live there anymore and after this ruling I will not be going back! I am sorry to hear that more and more Oklahomans are facing the possibilty of life in prison for simply making a pure form of THC! This is beyond insane and just shows you what kinda crazy morons they have as their so called leaders! I'm very sorry to see this happening and my heart goes out to anyone who is caught up in this b/s law! THANK YOU OKLAHOMA FOR HELPING ME MAKE UP MY MIND ABOUT NOT MOVING BACK TO THAT MESSED UP STATE! I will never return there again!

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 3:00pm Permalink
Anonymous4444 (not verified)

I live in Oklahoma now, and I can tell you that most of these people are so close-minded.  We need more education in Oklahoma.  Please send help.

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 4:39pm Permalink
lisy4choice (not verified)

http://www.norml.org/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/California-Cannabis-Coalition/150722031606548

Good Luck to you all. Google Endocannabiniods and Spread the word, and your seeds!!! Marijuana is a Medicene the cures Cancer, Google it! Hemp-Oil Cures! Please Overgrow the Government, We meet again in DC in September of 2011 watch for us on

http://www.facebook.com/Overgrowthegovtmedia Lisa

Tue, 04/26/2011 - 5:12pm Permalink
free2blaze (not verified)

This makes me sick, life in prison for making hash, I seriously don't understand how they can justify this, a quest for a drug free state? what about prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, you will never have a drug free state, NEVER.

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 4:48pm Permalink
julia christine (not verified)

The same exact day Oklahoma lawmakers approved a plan for reducing uncontrollable prison overcrowding. http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a6b818136a5b409da9daa5d47583abca/OK-XGR--Criminal-Sentencing/

The hypocrisy is disgusting. 

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 5:04pm Permalink
Anonymous57 (not verified)

Not to mention all the prostitution that is seen on "The Video Vigilante" in Oklahoma City.  This seems to be condoned by the state, nobody does anything about this or the alcohol that flows so freely right after church lets out!!

Tue, 04/26/2011 - 8:32pm Permalink
stillapill (not verified)

Oklahoma hands out millions in Food Stamps and we support numerous homeless shelters, day shelters, etc.  Your information about not feeding the hungry is false.

Mon, 05/07/2012 - 4:19am Permalink
Issa (not verified)

Okay so you would get more prison time for making hash then rape, child molestation, or even murder cases???? Something seriously is wrong with this.... As well as costing their tax payers money that is not needed. Wow Oklahoma you have your priorities backwards.

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 5:36pm Permalink
hrvatska (not verified)

Milo, it's 2 years to life, not automatically life.  I assume shooting an arresting officer is a lot more likely to get a life sentence than merely manufacturing.

Thu, 04/28/2011 - 4:32pm Permalink
stillapill (not verified)

It's not that you WOULD get more time for this offense, but it would be possible.  There are a multitude of factors that would be taken into account.  It says you COULD get 2-Life, not that you WOULD.  Rape, Child Molestation, Manslaughter, and Murder ALL carry the possibility of LIFE, as well.

Mon, 05/07/2012 - 4:22am Permalink
Johnny Omaha (not verified)

time to lite up ur representatives phone lines OK's ... got to call and email your reps DAILY and encourage others to do the same. and dont forget ron paul in 2012!

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 5:53pm Permalink
Moonrider (not verified)

"time to lite up ur representatives phone lines OK's ... got to call and email your reps DAILY and encourage others to do the same. and dont forget ron paul (well, strike through isn't functioning) Gary Johnson in 2012!"  It is better for us if Ron Paul remains in the House of Representatives and his son, Rand, in the Senate (and his other son, Robert, in congress, too if he runs and wins).

Sat, 04/23/2011 - 3:57am Permalink
goolz (not verified)

its amazing oklahoma will pay to incarcerate people for drugs but not for dui's espeacially people that have 3 and 4 they would rather have people driving killing people than someone setting in their house staying out of everybody's buisness that being said maybe the oklahoma legislatives should smoke a joint .

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 5:56pm Permalink
Oklahomo (not verified)

My aunt was murdered in OKlahoma while driving to a graduation ceremony at OU, killed by some idiot who didnt want to wait on a light, instead he drove 55mph in a 25mph,. IN THE WRONG DIRECTION AND RAN A RED LIGHT AND KILLED HER AND HE ONLY GOT 1 YEAR!!

 

yet hash is punishable up to life, the people running the state of oklahoma are

 

1. Puritans

2. Religious Hypocrits

3 Statist Twats

4 Loyalists/Nationalists

5. Nazis

 

OKLAHOMA IS A POLICE STATE. STAY AWAY!

Sun, 05/15/2011 - 8:15pm Permalink
Johnny Omaha (not verified)

http://www.okhouse.gov/FindMyLegislature.aspx?State=OK

tell them this is NOT "OK" ... today, and tomorrow!

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 5:57pm Permalink
Johnny Omaha (not verified)

http://www.okhouse.gov/FindMyLegislature.aspx?State=OK

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 5:58pm Permalink
Drew B (not verified)

Just look at the badge on their webpage.  It's a calumet!  What a bunch of ignoramuses.

"We will kill you for Jesus! God demands we torture you.  No expense is too much to make your lives a living hell, as well as everyone else who has to pay for it! And if they don't like the fact we're robbing them to imprison you, then we'll accuse them of being druggies too!

"God only demands people feel suffering all the time.  God hates it when people feel good.  Why else would he send Jesus to suffer and tell us to deny ourselves!?  We are agents of God and do his will by making you suffer!"

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 6:19pm Permalink
PissedOffPitBull (not verified)

As we all know, marijuana is as hazardous as an assault rifle, so naturally hash, the collected and compressed resins, which produce less burning vegetable matter than your standard means of smoking, and less carcinogens to inhale, is obviously nefariously worse and is in the same class as methamphetamine and deserves even more harsh regulation for manufacturing that the previously mentioned synthetic. I am, have been, and always will be an Oklahoma native, but damn, this is really stupid

Fri, 04/22/2011 - 7:39pm Permalink
Vic Kohring (not verified)

Moron. End of story...

Tue, 09/04/2012 - 8:48am Permalink
Moonrider (not verified)

The Democrats are just as bad as the Republicans when it comes to making more laws to incarcerate more people.  Don't believe me?  Biden wrote the law that created the ONDCP and the office of "drug czar", including its mandate to lie to the American people and fight any attempts at legalization.  Look up the actions Democrats have taken over the years that not only amped up the war on drugs, but restricted your unalienable freedoms in many other ways.  Neither party is the friend of freedom or drug law reform.

Sat, 04/23/2011 - 4:06am Permalink
Anon9 (not verified)

You are talking what Biden did more than two decades ago.  The times were a hell of alot different then.  If we are going to flashback to the 80's, what did drug policy reformer Eric Sterling do while Biden was creating ONDCP or many of the current LEAP members?  Well Biden didn't bitch about Pres. Obama demoting ONDCP from a cabinet level status, holding forums on 4/20, and answering questions about marijuana legalization.  That's a change.

http://www.cjpf.org/about/ericbio.html

Sure there are small number of Republican reformers, such as Gary Johnson and Ron Paul.  But that ain't the rule.  The fact is that Democrats are far more supportive of marijuana legalization than Republicans and polls prove it.  Just look at how marijuana policy reform progresses in the Democratic dominated Western/New England states compared Republican dominated states in the Midwest/Deep South, which were also the last states to end alcohol prohibition.  You would have to be blind not to notice this.

Sun, 04/24/2011 - 5:28am Permalink
Keary Prophet (not verified)

This is not, and was not a left vs. right, or republican vs. democrat issue. The senate passed this with a majority (overwhelming majority) from both sides, same with the House. We should not let party loyalty divide us, they are two sides of the same coin and their are good and mostly bad in all parties. I believe we need to break away from legalization and start pushing for a complete repeal of cannabis prohibition altogether. One things for sure we have a lot of work to do on all sides here in Oklahoma. If you live in Oklahoma please join Oklahoma For Cannabis at: http://potforfreedom.com/oklahoma we are leading the way for real reform through ending cannabis prohibition once and for all!

Fri, 04/29/2011 - 12:42am Permalink
Norma (not verified)

Hey I never thought about it that way! You're right. We don't have much in the way of "projects" here, but we have prisons up the ying/yang! The stupid part is that we don't have any more beds. Officially we are 99% full. But if you count the ones that are riding around in vans to keep them from being counted, we are way over full! If the Feds ever find out how many people we have riding around in vans they will come and take over our prison system!
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 8:55am Permalink
darkcycle (not verified)

These legislators are grandstanding. Two incidents of hash making in their entire history and they want to make it a life sentence? They are doing it just to look like they are 'tough on crime', and just to look like they are doing something. The problem is that some actual person somewhere in OK. will DO that time, eventually. Instead of 'tough on crime' this is stupidity.

Sat, 04/23/2011 - 1:41am Permalink
MS (not verified)

My cousin and her family just moved here from Oklahoma. She said they couldn't deal with the types of people anymore so they left. Having never been to OK myself, I didn't really understand what she meant when she said it, but now I see.
Sat, 04/23/2011 - 9:43am Permalink
Anon (not verified)

"...Mark Woodward said the goal of the bill is to "send a message" that illegal drugs won't be tolerated in Oklahoma."

I guess economic growth will also not be tolerated in Oklahoma either?  How is it that these 'slave' states think they can maintain and expand their marijuana police states, when there are states that are allowing for marijuana freedom?  Why would anybody live in a marijuana police state when their are alternatives?  I can hear the loud sucking sound already....

Good luck OK.  I think you are doomed in the future with laws like this.

Sat, 04/23/2011 - 9:45am Permalink
Giordano (not verified)

3.7-million  inhabitants.  Where tornado alley meets the Bible belt.  Also known as ‘heart attack alley’ by the medical profession because Bible belters’ sanctimonious refusal to drink alcohol creates heart problems for a lot of fat white people of Ulster-Scots descent.

The Oklahoma government’s problem with hash is it has funny sounding names in front of it, like Nepalese, Afghani, Moroccan.  And we know how those down-home-boys hate them foreigners!  Or foreign symbols, if they can’t get their hands on an actual, living victim.

The xenophobia is so bad in the OK state that if you display out-of-state plates on your car, and you tow a trailer loaded with stuff through Oklahoma, you will be tailed by some Nazi, outback police car all the way across the state.  Unless you stop somewhere and wait for the road cop to get bored and drive away.

So it can’t be a big surprise when a cannabis product with less vegetable matter in it scares the bejeezus out of some of the good white Christian leaders.  Science says the fear centers in their brains are much bigger than most people’s.  That’s lifestyle fear.  Which is a really screwed-up way to live. 

When dealing with Oklahoma officials, it’s best to counter fear with fear.  Give the cigar-chomping back room guys something new to be afraid of besides hash and hippies, like bedbugs.  Bigfoot or extraterrestrials might work.  Or federal lawsuits up the yin-yang that expose the State’s legislative hysteria and stupidity. 

The state’s leaders are insular and arrogant enough to believe they’re invulnerable to criticism and legal assaults by both insiders and outsiders.  It’s easy and sometimes profitable to prove them wrong. 

Giordano

Sat, 04/23/2011 - 2:34pm Permalink
Drew L. (not verified)

PissedOffPitBull  seriously YOUR THE EXACT REASON! people get the wrong info. Marijuana actually Has Never killed anyone so comparing it to be as hazardous as an assault rifle is by far the most idiotic comment ive heard not to mention untrue and in fact on the other end of the spectrum it literally saves peoples lives and ive seen that first hand. Now onto your comment about it being in the same class as amphetamines, yea ythis is true but this only matters when it comes to the law and how much trouble you get in, The similarities end there guy. Amphetamines are nothing like cannabis or THC The compounds are two entirely different structures. Cannabis and The 70 give or take a few compounds in it have proven to be actually beneficial to the body and its systems. it has huge medicinal value. Amphetamines destroy heart rhythm and blood systems. Theres huge ups and downs with amphetamines taking a huge toll on the users body and mind. Users Teeth fall out, anorexia occurs , loss of reality and character then ultimately death. Cannabis is the total opposite and is used in a variety of treatments from fibromyalgia to dealing with nausea patients get from radiation therapy. To this day there has not been a single death directly related to the use of marijuana

 

SO GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT PissedOffPitBull   .....IM FROM CALIFORNIA AND THE MARIJUANA IS FREE  TO GROW AS IT PLEASES ANYWHERE IN ANY PERSONS BACKYARD AS LONG AS THEY HAVE A MEDICAL REC....WHICH ISNT HARD TO GET SINCE THERES 300,000+ REGISTERD CALIFORNIA PATIENTS PROVING ITS THAT EASY IM PROUD TO BE ONE OF THEM FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS                                                                              

Sat, 04/23/2011 - 7:14pm Permalink
shannond (not verified)

Maybe you should re-read THE LAST LINE of PissedOFF's comment before you go making an ass of yourself.

Thu, 04/28/2011 - 12:58pm Permalink
BoardCO (not verified)

My god, what in the hell is wrong with these people?  It's insanity, plain and simple.   These lunatics must be suffering from some sort of psychosis.   LIFE in prison, for harming no one?   Jesus fucking Christ.

Sun, 04/24/2011 - 2:32pm Permalink
BoardCO (not verified)

My god, what in the hell is wrong with these people?  It's insanity, plain and simple.   These lunatics must be suffering from some sort of psychosis.   LIFE in prison, for harming no one?   Jesus fucking Christ.

Sun, 04/24/2011 - 2:33pm Permalink
joseph smith (not verified)

Are there any queers in the theatre tonight?

Get them up against the Wall!!

There's one in the spotlight he don't look right to me!

Get him up against the wall!!

That one looks Jewish!! And that one's a Coon!!

Tell me who let all this Riff Raff into the room?

There's one smoking a JOINT!!

And another with spots!!

If I had my way!!

I'd have all of them shot!!

"One Step Closer To A Military State and Genocide to Conform the masses"  

"Maybe not quite Nazi Germany, But America and States like Oklahoma are Close"

 A One World Government, its a scam, Fascists and actors run our Government.  

WW3 here we come.  Big Brother is definately watching!!  So Hide your kids, Hide your wives, Hide your Husbands, Cause they rapin everybody out here!!

Sun, 04/24/2011 - 7:42pm Permalink
Luke123432 (not verified)

Those are my all time favorite lyrics from one of my all time favorite albums. Describes the situation perfectly. Tear down the wall!!

Tue, 04/26/2011 - 3:19pm Permalink

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