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I am constantly amazed that people seem so surprised that when people break the law, they get in trouble. Just because you don't like a law, doesn't mean you s

I am constantly amazed that people seem so surprised that when people break the law, they get in trouble. Just because you don't like a law, doesn't mean you should be surprised when, like so many people before them, people get caught for breaking it. I often wonder if I am the only person in the tech world who wouldn't mind much higher penalties for possessions of narcotics, instead of this current "illegal, but most of the time not really" business. I'd be fine with legalisation too, I just wish the law would go heavily one way or the other.

gee_totes 15y ago
ORLY? I'm against higher penalties for narcotics, since the penalties themselves don't seem to provide a deterrent, and just serve to increase the prison population. People are gonna do what they're gonna do, and I'm for lower penalties, since I think that would mean less people in prison.
- CJefferson 15y ago
  Are you sure that a fixed prison sentence, enforced on everybody, for possession of any amount of cannabis, wouldn't cause many people to stop? I'm fairly sure it would, looking at my friends who smoke because they believe (rightly) the worst they will get for possession is a smallish fine.
  - stoic 15y ago
    I'm sure that's not the prevailing reason for their choice. Please do not pursue a career in government or law enforcement.
    - CJefferson 15y ago
      Do you think that everyone who currently smokes cannabis would continue to smoke it, even if the penalties were massively increased, and strictly enforced? I find that fascinating. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't think introducing prison sentences would reduce usage, and believe that the existing scientific evidence backs my viewpoint. You clearly disagree with me. Unfortunately ycombinator is not the best place to have a discussion about such things, but I would recommend in future if you would like cannabis to be legalised, you shouldn't be so dismissive and insulting to people who hold an opposing viewpoint to you, who I assume you would want to convert.

gee_totes 15y ago

ORLY? I'm against higher penalties for narcotics, since the penalties themselves don't seem to provide a deterrent, and just serve to increase the prison population. People are gonna do what they're gonna do, and I'm for lower penalties, since I think that would mean less people in prison.

CJefferson 15y ago
Are you sure that a fixed prison sentence, enforced on everybody, for possession of any amount of cannabis, wouldn't cause many people to stop? I'm fairly sure it would, looking at my friends who smoke because they believe (rightly) the worst they will get for possession is a smallish fine.
- stoic 15y ago
  I'm sure that's not the prevailing reason for their choice. Please do not pursue a career in government or law enforcement.
  - CJefferson 15y ago
    Do you think that everyone who currently smokes cannabis would continue to smoke it, even if the penalties were massively increased, and strictly enforced? I find that fascinating. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't think introducing prison sentences would reduce usage, and believe that the existing scientific evidence backs my viewpoint. You clearly disagree with me. Unfortunately ycombinator is not the best place to have a discussion about such things, but I would recommend in future if you would like cannabis to be legalised, you shouldn't be so dismissive and insulting to people who hold an opposing viewpoint to you, who I assume you would want to convert.