Jonathan Janetski
Landlords Renting to Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Could Face more Jail Time than Violent Offenders
A single article cannot even begin to decipher the priorities of our government. Law is supposed to be fair, just, and consistent. However, when comparing the penalties from one crime to another, the consistency just simply is not there.
A recent article posted on Opposing Views.com highlights several examples of how punishments are not fitting the crimes committed. Jonathan Janetski, a landlord in Montana is facing charges for maintaining a “drug involved premises.” By leasing his property to a medical marijuana dispensary, he could potentially be incarcerated for decades. That may not be the case and according to Opposing Views he is much more likely to serve about 3 years in prison, and will actually be behind bars for more time than those who cultivated the marijuana. The article then compares Mr. Janetski’s situation to another Montana resident, Kyle Eugene Avery.
Job recruiters often recommend that resumes should be no more than one page, because apparently, intelligent well read employers are bored easily. This obviously limits their casual reading choices. We could only imagine what recruiters would say about confining a criminal rap sheet to a single page. In Kyle Eugene Avery’s case he may have to use single space and 8 point font. In 2008, Avery served one (two year sentence) for first degree arson. The next year he was charged with sexual battery but the case was dismissed. He followed this up with a conviction for one count of lewd or indecent proposals or acts to a child under 16 years of age. After that his ex girlfriend and her roommate accused him of raping them. Prosecutors also said he sexually assaulted a third woman while she slept. Authorities have dropped the two rape charges and a judge feels that Avery deserves a suspended sentence. Sexual assault in Montana carries a far lighter sentence and Avery faces a maximum of six months in jail while Janestski will likely spend far more time familiarizing himself with prison walls.
Hell hath no fury like a scorned politician. While the two situations outlined above describe problems with Montana law, the federal government has demonstrated a problem with how they allocate their legal resources. Despite the fact that medical marijuana has overwhelming support from Americans, politicians have insisted on using every tool at their disposal to punish those who use a naturally growing plant. They ask how dare anybody think differently than the likes of Rick Santorum and Orin Hatch who have not been able to adjust with a changing culture? We would ask that our government refocuses its efforts to protect the civil rights of Americans. Like any relationship, it is ok to admit when you have been wrong. In fact, it would be the mature thing to do, to tell patients they can have relief and that no one else will die due to re-election or presidential campaigns.
Other than Bernie Madoff, the government rarely seems inclined to bring down the hammer on those who commit financial crimes on Wall Street (despite how many retirement funds and lives are ruined) yet those leasing their property to allow a business to help patients should expect an extended stay in an 8×8 room. While we at marijuana.net usually do not like to bring up the “what about the children” argument, we do have to question what message we are sending. George Zimmerman has yet to be arrested and currently faces no jail time even as he shot and killed 17 year old Trayvon Martin, who was armed only with skittles and iced tea. Mr. Zimmerman claims that he was assaulted and we do respect the due process, but a teenager was shot dead by him and it is surprising no charges have been formally introduced. While the comparison between Jonathan Janetski and Kyle Eugene Levy may not become a dinner table conversation, Trayvon Martin has. Americans are long overdue to start questioning exactly what the goals of law enforcement on every level truly are.