Thousands cited for having pot on federal land

[JT McNutty]

Just because the federal park is in a legal state does not mean that they follow state law, they follow federal law. I don't know why this is surprising people. The national park service falls under the federal government. The state laws stop at the gate.

 

[Jericho Mile]

Ran trails out on a national forest today....higher than a motherfucker...nobody bothered me. I run out there all the time...for years...and nobody bothers me. Border Patrol...Forest Service LEO..are not targeting personal use. I don't know any local...who has had any issues.

Don't act like a retard out there...and usually....nobody will bother you. Been my experience in life

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

I used to work at an educational/research facility on federal land in California. Students would want to spark one up in the dining hall after hours. I'd try to tell them that they weren't in hippy dippy Santa Cruz and needed to be discreet and go outside. All I got was blank looks. They just couldn't get it.

It's ironic that this situation would seem to apply most to the western states which have relaxed laws on possession but have the greatest percentage of federal land. I'm curious if it will be used to prosecute people caught on the highways crossing National Forest or BLM land. If California passes the legalization initiative in November of 2014 a person could feel safe with a pound and a half in their trunk but find themselves in a world of hurt if pulled over on a highway crossing federal property. You can't travel anywhere out here without passing over federal land. I suppose it would have to be a federal officer so this wouldn't happen with the sheriff or highway patrol, but its worrisome.

The very idea of going hiking without something to smoke is just unimaginable. Same as always, don't be stupid. You aren't the only one out there.

.

 

[barnyard]

The States own and operate the Interstate highways.

 

[Arthritis_sucks]

The States own and operate the Interstate highways.

But they can be deputized federally to carry out their evil doings.

 

[barnyard]

or maybe a Citizens Arrest like Goober tried to do to Barney...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwEvysDpNm0

"Citizens Arrest!, Citizens Arrest!, Citizens Arrest!" lol

 

[Jhhnn]

It's still the same deal as with Customs & seed seizures. Anybody decently informed knows it. That aspect of the game remains the same, so be discreet.

You have to be exceptionally unlucky or careless to get busted by Smokey, at least around here. I seriously doubt there will be some major enforcement effort wrt ski slopes, for example. They're largely on govt land, and host to thousands of stoned tourists every day. Toking up on the lift is about as common as breathing.

Doing the same in a crowded campground where the self righteous can whine about it is another story. Smokey will come around to check that you've paid, if for no other reason. With that, he's free to exercise discretion, one way or the other.

 

[Rob547]

I would imagine the people actually getting citations are the ones just walking around smoking blunts on a trail, passing general public etc. or something because its 'legal'. I can only imagine it to be quite difficult to ever be seen much less caught by rangers or any authority in the middle of the woods if you put the smallest effort into be discreet....

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

including a 21-year-old man who was accused of having 0.1 grams during a traffic stop on a highway that skirts Mount Rainier National Park.

“I just thought it was legal now,” Jonah Hunt said. “I didn’t know I was on federal land.”

hmmn?

Former school teacher Melanie Cease, of Seattle, said a park ranger approached her one day in June at a secluded campsite in Olympic National Park. He came to make sure her dog was on a leash, but then saw an empty pipe on the picnic table.

With his hand on his gun, she said, the ranger demanded she turn over whatever pot she had. Cease, 48, was cited for having a “trace amount,” according to the ranger’s report.

“I’ve never been arrested in my life, and now I’m being threatened with six months in jail and a $5,000 fine for using my medicine?” she said. “

I think this last example needs to be examined. With Forest employees, it is their job to make public contact. So expect them to seek you out. Hopefully you don't get someone with a bug up their ass about pot smoking, but it can happen. Sitting around the picnic table with your friends at night is the classic set up. It may be a relatively out of the way campsite, but you've got a lantern on the table in front of you while you laugh and snack and shoot the shit ... and you can't see a thing other than the table because of the bright lantern. Then out of the dark steps the ranger who's spent the last five minutes taking in the whole situation ...

Because of guerrilla growing in the parks these people can have an unreasonable hatred of pot smoking. It's a fact. And rangers nowadays are police.

It's their job to make public contact. Over two trips on the Green River in Utah (BLM) we had;

At the put-in a ranger stepped out of the dark, well into the evening, into our lantern light to talk with us.

Rangers floating downstream in a raft pull up to our wilderness campsite at breakfast to talk with us. I was flying and let others do the talking.

On the last day we were on the water, had just smoked a big fatty, and a ranger appears around the bend in a motor boat headed upstream to interview us about our trip. I was close to incoherent but luckily had just handed the oars to a woman who wanted to learn to row and she was having a royal hissy fit cursing the boat and oars while she tried to maneuver the raft. So the rest of us just remained silent and watched her go through her tantrum while the ranger looked on wondering what he'd gotten into. Finally he just left and motored on upstream to his next public contact.

Shit happens. Be safe.

 

[Fly by Night]

 

[Slip Kid]

It's the same where I live.Most of the land is National Park and the rangers are on patrol like crazy. Forget the local cops, pot is not on their agenda but the rangers will do close to anything to grab you.Luckily here you'll just get a ticket.My friend had an oz and roughly another 1/4 oz in a toolbox and was given a $200 ticket.The ranger did inform him however that his vehicle was likely to be pulled over in the future because of the ticket.
It was the dead of winter and the park is damn near empty and my buddy just went through a stop sign "because it was winter".His own fault obviously but the rangers are on full patrol like it's a war on 24 hrs a day.This guy was one of the friendlier rangers and agreed the law was stupid but the vehicle reeked of weed and he had to do his job. Most of these guys are not friendly at all and drive around bothering people all day long with their speed traps and constant interviewing people hoping they'll make a ticket.

 

[Fly by Night]

It was the dead of winter and the park is damn near empty and my buddy just went through

What brings you fellas out to the park today?

 

[yortbogey]

obviously this new found feeding appetite for stoner's is being driven by the money they make from the fines and legal fees..... just another federal racket to make a quick buck..........$$$$$$$$$

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

obviously this new found feeding appetite for stoner's is being driven by the money they make from the fines and legal fees..... just another federal racket to make a quick buck..........$$$$$$$$$

... Or that these people live in a bubble of their own creation and lose all rational perspective and sense of proportion.

 

[OvergrowDaWorld]

Boycott all Federal parks.... until "they" feel the pinch in "there" pocket.....
seems only fair.....

Federal parks are protected from development. Not protected from people using their own legal medicine while enjoying the protected land.
I agree 100% Yortbogey. Fuk them park brickleberry rangers.

 

[Morcheeba*]

we call them twig pigs up here

they are Squirrel Sheriff's down here.


peace

 

[Jericho Mile]

obviously this new found feeding appetite for stoner's is being driven by the money they make from the fines and legal fees..... just another federal racket to make a quick buck..........$$$$$$$$$

It's not that profitable. Doubt the Feds are getting the money. I'd imagine (if you go to court)...and you have to pay a fine...the state probably gets the fees. You will not be going to federal court after all.

It's Federal land...nobody makes you go to a park or a forest..if you can't maintain...then don't go on the land. Deny yourself part of..what makes this country scenic and wonderful...on the principle...that they shouldn't harass you over weed. If that's the price you are willing to pay...more power to you...but it's a silly big mistake

 

[Jericho Mile]

Federal parks are protected from development. Not protected from people using their own legal medicine while enjoying the protected land.
I agree 100% Yortbogey. Fuk them park brickleberry rangers.

without those rangers...I'd hate to see the condition of the parks and forests. Your attitude is misguided...as the rangers keep protected lands...protected. They have a mission you know...and it's not about busting peeps all the time.

 

[longearedfriend]

Don't hate me for it but years ago I thought about becoming a park ranger.

Over here you don't start out near the city, they ship you out in the wild.

Hanging out in the woods all day.

 

[Walt Jabsco]

LEF as an LEO?