John Stossel is ABC News' Co-Anchor of "20/20" and New York Times best-selling author of Give Me A Break & Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity. His "Give Me a Break" commentaries take a skeptical look at a wide array of issues, such as education, the economy, parenting, and more.
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10 Years Later, Medical Marijuana Grower Still Being Harassed
07/01/2009 5:26 PM
Back in 1998, for a 20/20 special titled "Sex, Drugs and Consenting Adults," I interviewed Will Foster, who had been sentenced to 93 years in jail for growing marijuana to treat his arthritis.
After his case got attention, Foster's sentence was reduced to 20 years, and after several years in prison he was given parole. But now he's being hounded again, the Drug War Chronicles reports:
Although Foster settled into a law-abiding life in Northern California, picking up a new family along the way, and successfully completed what the state of California considered an adequate parole period, that wasn't good enough for the state of Oklahoma. Upset that California officials hadn't kept him on parole as long as they would have, Oklahoma parole officials demanded that he return to that benighted state to finish his parole. And when he, perhaps understandably, declined, [Oklahoma] issued a warrant for his arrest.
Foster has been sitting in a California prison for the last 16 months - apparently at a cost of $100,000 to taxpayers - while governor Schwarzenegger decides whether to extradite him to Oklahoma.
Why do we persecute people for a victimless crime?
July 1, 2009 in Drug War | Permalink | Share | User Comments (207)
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This is simply outrageous. What is there to say in the face of such a blatant injustice? Perhaps it's time for a second round of "Sex, Lies and Consenting Adults"; there's surely more than enough material.
John, let me know if you ever need a new producer or assistant. I'd love to come back to NYC.
Posted by: Greg Newburn | Jul 1, 2009 6:21:07 PM
Now they should have something to worry with inside terrorism constantly and obesessively wanting to make zombies out of our children and youth to destroy this country!
Posted by: RoseParvin | Jul 1, 2009 6:31:55 PM
This is simply unconscionable.
The man has enough to deal with, with his illness.
What possible good is being done by imprisoning him? Who is being served? Why are tax dollars being wasted persecuting this unfortunate individual?
This nonsense must stop.
Posted by: Steve Elliott | Jul 1, 2009 6:53:02 PM
This is simply unconscionable.
The man has enough to deal with, with his illness.
What possible good is being done by imprisoning him? Who is being served? Why are tax dollars being wasted persecuting this unfortunate individual?
This nonsense must stop.
Posted by: Steve Elliott | Jul 1, 2009 6:53:15 PM
Oklahoma has the worst cannabis laws in the country. Getting caught twice with a joint can land a person a 10 year sentence. Cultivation of cannabis carries a 2 year to life sentence. However, first time offenders of small amounts of cannabis are normally slapped on the wrist and given a $800 fine.
Posted by: Jesse Lee | Jul 1, 2009 9:25:34 PM
I'm pretty sure this "shocks the conscious"
Posted by: Court K. | Jul 2, 2009 12:48:45 AM
Posted by: qwapt | Jul 2, 2009 2:03:29 AM
So, why don't we just turn the American Medical Association over to the Justice Department and let the cops dispense medical advice and medicine? They seem to be so good at it.
Posted by: TYC | Jul 2, 2009 9:37:57 AM
This is why people sometimes refer to the Sooner State as "Jokelahoma"
Posted by: Paul B. | Jul 2, 2009 10:06:34 AM
Does anyone even live in Oklahoma? I mean they probably want the poor guy back for a population census and the money they need from the government to put him behind bars.
Posted by: Curious | Jul 2, 2009 10:29:47 AM
Norma Sapp, head of Oklahoma NORML, discusses the Will Foster case on tonight's episode of the NORML Daily Audio Stash, 6pm PT at http://stash.norml.org
Posted by: Russ Belville, NORML Outreach Coordinator | Jul 2, 2009 11:06:08 AM
This ain't America is it?
Posted by: joe | Jul 2, 2009 12:05:59 PM
It's getting so, in this country, if you are being attacked in the streets, the cops won't do anything about it if you yell "Help!" or "Rape!" or even "Fire!". One sure-fire way to get their attention, though, is to shout, "Somebody's smoking pot over here!" Enough of the draconian stranglehold of our peaceful, and (otherwise) law-abiding citizens. As long as these unnecessary restrictions are in place, we continue to fatten the coffers of drug lords and murderers around the world. Growing our 'own' would at least put an end to their ruthless tactics and force them out of business.
Posted by: Mellonie Hoffman | Jul 2, 2009 12:21:10 PM
Many politicians are brain-dead when it comes to this evil weed.
Posted by: Graybull | Jul 2, 2009 12:47:02 PM
So stupid. Is there actually extradition laws in place for transfers between STATES now? Whatever happened to federal and state law being separate? If he's done his dues in California, then Oklahoma has no judicial right to say he hasn't. Why isn't he in OK lockup if they say he hasn't finished serving? And why is he in jail, waiting for two states to pull their heads out of their asses? He should sue cali for unlawful imprisonment, given that he's served his time, and sue OK for continued harassment and mental anguish.
And all of this, when he never even hurt a single person. Stupid as hell. When are people going to realize a plant does not cause harm?
Posted by: Gonzobot | Jul 2, 2009 2:03:41 PM
One hundred million Americans have smoked pot. Marijuana is now as American as apple pie. Polls show a majority of Americans now want an end to marijuana arrests.
How long will it take Americans to shuck off the corporatocracy that greedily insists on thwarting the people's will?
Posted by: John Thomas | Jul 2, 2009 4:08:40 PM
This is absolutely unbelievable. Forget about law makers, politicians and citizens, I want to know how ANY HUMAN BEING can personally justify this man being locked up in a metal cage? What did he do that was so bad? Who did he hurt? What did he steal? This is getting insane, and its special interest groups that are fighting to keep marijuana illegal so they can control legislation in order to control the markets and ensure future profits. Whats the most profitable industry, its the drug manufactures, ever notice there multiple TV adds about all their pills, ever notice the crazy side effects? They are scared people will wise up and start using their own natural, cheaper, and safer medicine which we can all grow. That's their biggest threat, so they do what it takes to keep it illegal. They already tried to corner it, ever heard of Marinol, the THC pill that is legal, while the plant is illegal, its all about control, and the citizens of America are paying the price.
Legalize Marijuana and end this NOW
Posted by: Cindy | Jul 2, 2009 4:31:42 PM
It wouldn't be conservative America if they aren't kicking in your door to verify you are living how they want you to live.
Posted by: Mark Godfrey | Jul 2, 2009 6:30:20 PM
There's a reason why the colonials rebelled against the British.
Posted by: john | Jul 2, 2009 10:22:01 PM
Portugal legalized all drugs and found that everyone did not go crazy about it. As a matter of fact drug use declined and more people ended up choosing rehab. The losers of such a move would be the pharmaceutical companies and drug lords.
Posted by: Laura Maxwell | Jul 3, 2009 1:05:30 AM
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