Rep. Tommy Benton
Filed under absurd statement pandering to a virulently anti-marijuana base that may or may not even exist in Georgia, Rep. Tommy Benton got caught in a personal email to a constituent advocating the caning of those caught smoking grass and the execution (Yes, murder) of people who sell it.
So you know that aging hippie who lives across the street and can often be seen mowing his lawn in a tie-dyed shirt? (Just personal experience) He should be put to death for selling pot. Or so Benton says in the email forwarded to NORML in which a constituent expresses concern about wasting taxpayer dollars on minor drug offenders.
"I am opposed to the legalization of marijuana. I think we should go to caning for people caught using and maybe execute dealers."
In another email in which a constituent, probably a NORML member, asks him to recant that irresponsible statement, Benton replied: "You and your cronies want it legalized so you can get a hit anytime without having to worry about getting arrested. I have forwarded your email to the Lowndes County sheriff's office so they can be on the lookout for you."
We incarcerate more of our population than any country in the world. It has been proven time and time again that it's no deterrent. Hopefully the attrition of old age will eventually cull culturally antiquated old farts like Rep. Tommy Benton and allow a productive dialogue about how to waste taxpayer money on mandatory minimums for non-violent offenders.
