Brandon Minor Arrested on Marijuana Charges

Submitted by JClay on

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/local-crime/2011/nov/28/former-varin…

Sad. I always hoped this guy's career would be better since my high school and his were so close, but he never seemed able to stay healthy. Hopefully things work out for him.

EDIT: Mods, feel free to delete this thread, the whole thing has disintegrated into an (unforeseen) debate on marijuana laws. Sorry.

[MOD-PGB:  Normally I enjoy a good debate but this one has been had before and we don't need another 50% saying pot should be legalized vs. 50% saying laws are laws and should be abided by.  So I locked this thread but am leaving it up because it is pertinent news about a former beloved Wolverine.  Good post, JClay.]

 

JeepinBen

November 29th, 2011 at 11:49 AM ^

But it's still illegal. And having scales and such, with an intent to distribute charge is definitely a crime (obviously) that could have jail time. I dont know about you, but someone making choices that are sending themselves to jail is someone who "needs to get his life on track" to me.

JeepinBen

November 29th, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^

but Rules are Rules. Laws are Laws, etc. Whether or not you agree that something should or shouldn't be illegal isn't relevant to its actual legality.

The laws are in place, and he broke them. For more on this see: Ohio (State)/Tattoo Scandal. Sure they "just got some free tats, no big deal" but there are rules in place against it, and most of us hope the NCAA does the right thing and comes down on them.

AAB

November 29th, 2011 at 11:58 AM ^

but this is just so hilariously arbitrary.  If Brandon Minor got caught with 2 unopened cases of beer, no one would be saying "oh no, I really hope he gets his life on track" because no one would think that having 2 cases of beer meant your life was off track.

I fail to see any distinction whatsoever other than the law arbitrarily deciding that having pot means your life is off track while having beer just means you're a fun guy (obviously driving under the influence of anything is a completely different situation that should be taken incredibly seriously).  

JeepinBen

November 29th, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^

On a personal level I think (if this is too political I apologize) a lot of the drug-related laws in this country were made by older, affluent politicians years ago who had no idea what the hell they were talking about. Many of them are dated and bad laws.

However, the laws still exist and are on the books. According to the laws, having pot =/= having beer. Just because a speed limit on a certain street is too low, that doesn't mean you can go as fast as you want. Some speed limits are arbitrary too. Modern cars are faster and safer than cars were when the speed limits were established.  Does that mean we don't have to follow them?

profitgoblue

November 29th, 2011 at 12:21 PM ^

I respect you as a fellow poster, but this comment is riotous.  You honestly believe that a "responsible" citizen should purposely disobey "unjust" laws?  That's basically the definition of anarchy.  Responsible citizens should petition their elected officials to get the laws changed.  Responsible citizens that choose to ignore/disobey laws should be thrown in jail.  I won't even get into the discussion of what qualifies as "responsible" and "unjust" . . .

JeepinBen

November 29th, 2011 at 12:16 PM ^

The thought behind the laws are (not saying I agree with them but...)

If you have X Amount of drugs (not just weed, cocaine and other drug laws are similar) you intend to use them

If you have Y Amount of drugs, you can't possibly use all of it, so you intend to distribute

If you have Z Amount of drugs, you're a higher level criminal, because the only thing you can do with that amount of drugs is run a cartel.

As some people above have argued, the values of X, Y and Z were relatively arbitrary, decided years ago by Politicians (aka, historically, mostly white, rich males - who never would have admitted using drugs).  

JClay

November 29th, 2011 at 11:50 AM ^

Regardless of what one's thoughts is on marijuana, I don't think anyone can say being arrested for having some is a positive event in one's life. He doesn't appear to be in pro football in any context anymore either after bouncing around a couple of practice squads. I don't mean to be snarky, I legitimately mean I hope things start going, you know, better for the guy.

Maximinus Thrax

November 29th, 2011 at 12:14 PM ^

I hope he wasn't doing anything foolish....like smoking it in the car.  Keep it secured in the trunk or out of sight fergodsakes!!  When you are scoring, park your car a few blocks away and walk to the spot.  Bring a backpack, try to look like a student.  When you leave the weed spot, take a look around outside through the windows for any narcs.  Leave preferably through the back door and walk through the alley.  You should have worn something like a brightly colored sweatshirt that you can take off and stash in the backpack on your way back to the car.  Throws the heat off you.  Take a roundabout walk back to your car, and closely inspect the vehicles around your own, taking note of anybody sitting in them.  Check out as many of them as you can.  Don't drive high when you are carrying (or generally, I might add).  Drive carefully.  Keep smoking in moderation, and don't ever feel bad because some squares might look down on you for it.  It can truly open your mind if you don't do it too much, and don't come to rely on it.