[monkeyman]

So I am watching this show "Prison Break" right now and I'm wondering if anyone ever gets spooked or has second thoughts about their grow? I knew prison woudl suck going into this, but whenever I see picures of people walking around in orange jumpsuits it really drives it home how much is at stake.

It's late and I'm exhausted but I can't help but wonder sometimes if it is really worth the risk. I'm sure I'll be more calm by morning, but any reassuring words of advise out there on what to do when a wave of paranoia/fear wash over you?

[kingspade]

any reassuring words?

well, depending on what state your in, if you do get roped, if you don't have any prior charges, and a "smaller" grow, you'll most likely get probation on the first offense.

i know other people will say different probably, but, i my self have yet to been busted, but, i do have two friends that have been busted, and both, on first offence, got probation. that's in my state, which is pretty laid back on majiuana laws.

i get worried alot too, being that i'm a college student, with grants, but ... just don't give yourself the chance to get roped, easier said then done though ...

Kingspade.

Alternatively, if the feds set their sights on someone (for any number of reasons) and there's a long-term grow involved, even of a relatively small number of plants, but where a history of commercial transactions are verifiable through a variety of means, the scene can change really quickly.

Where I live, as a rule, they don't get involved unless there's 100 plants or more. But I know of persons where a group of friends was translated into a 'drug ring' by the federales, creative heathen that they are.

They took down the first couple of folks one at a time, initially using the primary snitch to entice a' friend' to help him trim due to physical limitations (that established 'conspiracy' in that poor young fellow's case), etc.,etc. THE SNITCH WAS GROWING(!!!!) (apparently with the blessing of the feds), and when it was all said and done, ONE, and only ONE (out of the entire group of over 12 people) hadn't turned evidence on his friends.

In that person's case (the one with integrity that wouldn't roll and play) they applied the full extent of RICO (approx. 6 add'l heavy-weight charges) and he was initially facing what amounted to (when added altogether) life without parole. He plead out and did (wasn't sentenced to but DID) eleven years!!

his total holdings at the time of the bust; 18 plants and some past boasting to a long-time 'friend' about his career as a gardener.

Of the roughly 150 plants (total) taken between 9 residences, 47 of them had been distributed as clones by the snitch!!!

The snitch later died of natural causes. His reason for doing his deeds? He was jealous about his brother making out better on a real estate deal than he did. Had NUTHIN' to do with an animosity toward weed at all!! That's right, he did his own brother too!!

Spooked? Anybody in the U.S. that doesn't get spooked, at least sometimes, isn't paying attention..... in my opinion.

Regards,

moose eater

[monkeyman]

What do you mean by commerical transactions? Like shopping at hydro stores or through dealing?

Unexplained cash, statements indicating trafficking, others' statements that they've given money for dope, etc. etc.

Evidence of dealing weed for fun and profit.

And it potentially goes way beyond the greenbacks in a persons' pocket, as the group referenced above discovered to their serious dismay.

Remember that in the day of National Security Letter (read: 'USA PATRIOT Act, which never strictly applied to terror cases despite wishfulness of the frightened masses) the feds can demand records from businesses with very little evidence other than to say that "it's pertinent to an on-going investigation." Not "terror investigation." "Investigation." Period.

In fact, the persons whose records are being requested don't even have to be the target of the investigation. Welcome to Amerikkka!

A paper trail of unexplained cash coupled with evidence of long-term growing for sale is a major nail in a coffin at court.

Regards,

moose eater

I am paranoid every day of my life...lol

When my dogs bark unusually loud , my heart races and I assume im getting raided.

If I see a cop drive by my house, (which is extremely rare), I panic.

Helicopters over my house, I assume are using thermal imaging.

When I see my neibhors looking at me weird, I assume they are suspicious and are on to me...


always worried about smell, what your throwing out, where and how you buy supplies......

Its just a part of daily life. If you grow you need to be extra aware...or parnoid, whatever you want to call it. Paranoia is a good thing, well as long as you dont let it control you. THeres times when Im just like "Gosh I cant wait till harvest so I can get all this shit outta my house".. but you know, to me its a bigger cuase then just getting some free smoke....when I grow its almost like a big fuck you to all the law makers and government. Plus growing is just damn fun..lol

I just dont tell anyone and keep to myself...if know one knows then theres a pretty slim chance of a bust.

A more flattering term might be 'hyper-vigilance.' It lacks the implications of a mental disorder, 'cause they really ARE out to get folks!!

And yeah, I suspect that it's like battling a good 'trip'; separating reality from fear is a major tight-rope walk sometimes. Or, as I've joked with others, 'Always remember that perception is 9/10 of the law.' ;^>)

Regards,

moose eater

[DJ Twist]

Sure, I'm paranoid. But I don't worry too much:

Only a limited amount of people know about it. (My wife, my sister, and her husband). I grow pretty much just for us.

I don't buy obvious MJ growing stuff or shop at hydro stores. They're too expensive and too obvious. There's a big hydro store in my city, but I've never been and won't go. (Sometimes a clerk at Lowes will nod and smile when they see I have perlite, rooting hormone, etc.)

I grow only for personal use and to give away. I don't sell it.

I have no record.

I doubt I would go to prison, probably probation, community service, etc.

The worst part would be that I would lose my job and my abilty to get another job in the same field.

By the way, Prison Break is a kick-ass show.

.... You're a relatively benign and safe feller. (Not to mention the good karma of being kind to your family members, extended and otherwise).

It really IS about 2 things. The gov. preserving their PR (and pittance of credibility) about da' 'evil killer weed' and commerce. Commerce is power.

Imagine Mr. Rockefeller's or Mr. Rothschild's dismay when he realizes that Mr. Ochoa can match Rothschild's national or international clout in less than a tenth the time that it took the Rothschilds to establishn theirs!! Sends FEAR through the hearts of old money and the power establishment!

That, and that they've built what amounts to a modern Civil Conservation Corps (works project) loosely termed the 'prison industrial complex' outa' the prohibition movement, and use state grants now in the same way that they've used foreign aid for years! Comply, comply, comply.... and we'll send ya'll money!!! ;^>)

BTW, where I live, there's no difference to speak of between 'gifting' and 'sales.' By state law, it's all considered 'trafficking.' But the absence of money being involved will save you some scrutiny and put you way down on the food chain... where way fewer folks will care.

I'll quit hi-jacking your thread now with run-on and repetitive posts, Monkeyman. Apologies in advance.

I've spent too much time here lately anyway, and the rest of life awaits.

Peace, safety, and good fortune,

moose eater

[monkeyman]

I have a cop drive by my open windows everynight, we're part of his rounds I assume. It would have me super paranoid if I hadn't observed it weeks before I ordered my first part or visited my first grow site. He drives by very slowly checking out the back of my apartment complex (where my grow room is).

I have things in a cab so I know he can't see anything but my heart still skips a beat when it happens. I have driven by so many times myself looking just to be sure that there is nothing visible to the outside world. Sigh, I wish I could close my shades but then there is no air flow and the room heats up to like 90 degrees.

Part of me hopes that its a good thing he can see into my room everynight. Maybe it'll bring him around to the conclusion that there is nothing strange going on in here.