Sam Hurd Regrets Marajuana Addiction, 15 Year Prison Sentence

[FirefightnRick]

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/11/14/5335139/drug-scheme-leads-to-prison-for.html

His biggest regret was starting to smoke marijuana, an addiction he said he picked up in college at Northern Illinois and that grew once he got to the pros. Hurd has claimed he shared marijuana with former teammates and smoked every day during parts of his career...

Rick

[meangreenthirteen]

lol "Marijuana addiction"

[MDH]

addiction? lol

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

..

Most people regret their addiction.... once they are being sent to Prison.

But he was even worse.... dealing it it appears.. Guess his NFL salary wasn't enough to make ends meet (sarcasm). ..

[Coffee and TV]

Wonder how many convicted rapists get less than 15 years. Ridiculous.

[oldguystudent]

Marijuana addiction. Something people say to get their plea bargains reduced. The notion perpetuates the justification for locking people up for years and years and years.

Same thing happened in the thirties. Before 1937, prosecutors would deal with defendants that if they testified being under the influence of the devil weed while committing their crimes, they would get lesser penalties or get let off entirely. This built a big stack of legal precedent that helped justify the criminalization of the drug.

I won't argue that it's harmless to those who use it, but the justifications our government puts into prosecuting it and incarcerating its users are entirely fabricated; they are perpetuated by coerced testimony of "addiction."

[UNT90]

Wonder how many convicted rapists get less than 15 years. Ridiculous.

Right, because trying to be a cocaine kingpin should just be probation...

And isn't it amazing how marihuana and cocaine go hand in hand in this case.

Edited November 14, 2013 by UNT90

[oldguystudent]

Right, because trying to be a cocaine kingpin should just be probation...

And isn't it amazing how marihuana and cocaine go hand in hand in this case.

Why, just last night I was asking somebody about cocaine because to my knowledge, I've never even seen the stuff. I have no idea what it does to a person. I essentially know nothing at all about it other than Al Pacino did a violent movie around it in the 80s.

But the college years involved shoe boxes and trash bags of other agricultural products, and a huge community of people that were around it. People who smoked it morning, day and night for years.

I've never seen evidence of marijuana withdrawal. Ever.

I've never seen cocaine. Ever.

But it all goes hand in hand.

The only aspect of which I would agree with you on that is from a distribution standpoint. People who are distributing very illegal drugs on a large scale could not care less whether it comes in sticky bud or powdery form. The risk/reward ratio is essentially the same for both.

[Coffee and TV]

Right, because trying to be a cocaine kingpin should just be probation...

What color uniforms does out football team wear in your black and white world?

[meangreenthirteen]

What color uniforms does out football team wear in your black and white world?

Don't you mention color to him, that's woman stuff.

[KRAM1]

The only thing he regrets is getting caught. He'd still be doing it if he had not been caught. Same with all these folks who "regret" their misdeeds AFTER getting caught.

[Coffee and TV]

Wonder how many convicted rapists get less than 15 years. Ridiculous.

Hey whadda ya know, I was right. Make sure we give the black guy 15 years for dealing a little coke though, that guy is super dangerous.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/11/alabama-man-no-prison-time-raping-teenager

[Mean Green 93-98]

Hey whadda ya know, I was right. Make sure we give the black guy 15 years for dealing a little coke though, that guy is super dangerous.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/11/alabama-man-no-prison-time-raping-teenager

This is a story about a miscarriage of justice, not a standard to determine how other crimes should be punished.

[UNT90]

What color uniforms does out football team wear in your black and white world?

I'm confused here. Did Herd not say he could move 50 kg of cocaine a week and ask to place that order? Did Herd not pay for 2 kg of coke at that Morton's steak house and walk out with said 2 kg?

Those are facts. The conversation was recorded. Facts ARE black and white.

There is almost always right and wrong (or as you like to say, black and white) in any critical decision we make as human beings. When people start talking "gray area", it's usually because they are attempting to self-justify a wrong decision. And yes, everyone does it, even little old me, but that doesn't make any wrong decision more right.

Something tells me you do a lot of self-justification. ;-)

[Coffee and TV]

I'm confused here. Did Herd not say he could move 50 kg of cocaine a week and ask to place that order? Did Herd not pay for 2 kg of coke at that Morton's steak house and walk out with said 2 kg?

Those are facts. The conversation was recorded. Facts ARE black and white.

There is almost always right and wrong (or as you like to say, black and white) in any critical decision we make as human beings. When people start talking "gray area", it's usually because they are attempting to self-justify a wrong decision. And yes, everyone does it, even little old me, but that doesn't make any wrong decision more right.

Something tells me you do a lot of self-justification. ;-)

You're the one turning it into a black and white prism when you brought up probation. That's putting words into my mouth. I only said 15 years was a joke.

[ntmeangreen11]

I'm confused here. Did Herd not say he could move 50 kg of cocaine a week and ask to place that order? Did Herd not pay for 2 kg of coke at that Morton's steak house and walk out with said 2 kg?

Those are facts. The conversation was recorded. Facts ARE black and white.

There is almost always right and wrong (or as you like to say, black and white) in any critical decision we make as human beings. When people start talking "gray area", it's usually because they are attempting to self-justify a wrong decision. And yes, everyone does it, even little old me, but that doesn't make any wrong decision more right.

Something tells me you do a lot of self-justification. ;-)

No, he was "fronted" one KG and arrested upon arriving to his car.

[UNT90]

No, he was "fronted" one KG and arrested upon arriving to his car.

My bad, but pretty inconsequential. The conversation is what did him in. Does anyone doubt he had the assets to follow through with his plan?

[UNT90]

You're the one turning it into a black and white prism when you brought up probation. That's putting words into my mouth. I only said 15 years was a joke.

What is your perfect sentence for a guy with the assets and the motivation to be a drug kingpin, then?

5 years?

10 years?

Please, do tell.

He was facing life in prison. He got off pretty easy.

[Coffee and TV]

What is your perfect sentence for a guy with the assets and the motivation to be a drug kingpin, then?

Not sure, but I know 15 is far too many. I think you like to debate just for kicks.

[UNT90]

Not sure, but I know 15 is far too many. I think you like to debate just for kicks.

Me? Like to argue? On the Internet?

Nooooooo.

Oh, and 15 years is getting off light. The only good thing about the sentence is that it is Fed time. Pretty much day for day.

Can't recall if this was a trial or just a sentencing hearing. If it was a trial, he got off VERY easy. If it was a sentencing hearing, he obviously rolled on a bunch of people to get his time reduced,

That's the thing about drug dealers. For all the TV machoism and tough guyedness attributedto them, when it gets dpwn to taking a rap and going to jail, they would literally roll on their own mother.

[KRAM1]

Drug dealers are scum. They deserve everything they get and then some from the courts. Absolutely no pity for the guy. He knew what he was doing. He got caught...that is the ONLY thing he is sorry for in this situation. Adios Scumbag...is that something this idiot can understand?

Had it going...blew it big time!

[oldguystudent]

Somehow this evolved from the addictive qualities (or lack thereof) of marijuana to an argument about the character of those who would distribute illegal substances without remorse for profit.

Two very, very, very different topics of conversation in my mind.

Topic 1) Nobody will ever, ever, ever sell me on the notion that marijuana is an addictive drug. Ever. It's downright laughable. Coffee is more addictive. Don't send me studies. They're biased and flawed and full of propaganda. I come from a culture with marijuana as a central tenet of youthful boisterousness. I've watched a LOT of people grow up, and simply stop smoking marijuana about as easily as you'd watch a middle schooler stop watching Sesame Street. But you try and pry that morning coffee out of our cold, dead hands.

Topic 2) Concerning the character of people who would distribute an illegal substance without remorse for profit, it doesn't matter if the product is marijuana, cocaine, pornography, or shitty real estate derivatives wrapped up in a Ponzi scheme retirement plan. They are scum. They would rob children, roll on their own mothers, and probably beat their pet goldfish if it meant another buck or one less day in the pokey.

Topic 2 1/2) So I think what people are arguing about is a hybrid here. I recall back in the day in hippieland that there were minimum mandatory 10-year prison sentences for possession of marijuana. I recall seeing 18-year-old surfer kids getting sent away for a decade for having a spliff after a nice ride on the waves. That's excessive, unnecessary, and destructive to society. But sentences for distribution on a large scale? Yes, absolutely a different story. So where is the line between hippie surfer kid enjoying some kine after a sweet ride and Pablo Escobar? Therein lies the real debate for me.

Topic 2 3/4) Meanwhile, seriously, legalize marijuana, tax the shit out of it, and let the law abiding growers and dispensaries do their thing as long as they are complying with local, state, and someday federal regulations. To my understanding, the reality of the dispensary raids by the feds out in California are those shops that set up outside California law, didn't pay due taxes, etc. Honestly, I don't think anybody in DC cares if Johnny has a spliff at sunset, but they sure as hell want their tax dollars out of it. Legally grow it, legally sell it, legally posses it, legally consume it. Watch the cartels not go away, because they'll get into the meth business, or the heroin business, or the real estate business, or the stock market.

Topic 2 7/8) Medical marijuana laws are bullshit. Good on Washington and Colorado for calling a spade a spade and just legalizing it like alcohol. California is de facto there already, but is hiding behind the stupidest "medical marijuana" laws ever. Anybody, and I mean anybody, can go get a card for any condition, real or imagined, any day of the week, without an appointment, for about $60. Then you don't even need a prescription. You just take your shiny new card home and call up the best dealer in the Reader for convenient home delivery. Medical Marijuana my ass. (But the edibles are amazing...so I hear)

Side note: If marijuana were legal, I would absolutely take it up again and probably stop drinking completely. I am honestly of the character flaw that I'll always ingest intoxicating chemicals until the day they slap a tag on my toe. Given the choice between the two, I'll take the one that doesn't make me an asshole when I ingest it, that doesn't give me a hangover, and that honestly causes less long term health detriments. But it's not legal, so who want to go to Oak Street?

[UNTstormchaser]

I've decided to break my prolonged state of silence on this site, because though this thread hasn't been touched in a month, I feel like what I have to say can legitimately contribute to the discussion here (and in the pit bull attack discussion).

First things first, Sam Hurd is a moron and very much deserves a prison sentence. Whether or not its length is justifiable is a debate in the ethics of punishment that I'm just not interested in getting into, but the man is about as dumb as they come. And, for that matter, big time dealers who buy/distribute large amounts of illegal drugs of all kinds (none of them are doing just one, it's all or nothing in that business because profit is the only motive, and more drugs=more money) are scum who deserve what they have coming to them. Anyone who willingly partakes in the distribution of substances like meth that destroy lives is simply a piece of crap.

But now to my real point: Sam Hurd wasn't addicted to marijuana. There is no substance in the cannabis plant that causes a human being to become physiologically addicted to it due to their repeated consumption of the plant in any form, be it through smoking or another method.

Since my actual identity is in no way tied to my persona on this site, I have no problem admitting this here: I'm a daily marijuana smoker. I have been for about a year now, and the prior 6 or so months I was a 3-5 times per week smoker. Before I became a regular cannabis user, my GPA was 0.9 (no, seriously, it was that low). I was on the verge of failing out of UNT with no return on my initial $30,000 out-of-state tuition investment. Now? My GPA is up to a 2.95 after just 3 semesters of fixing things, I've had back to back semesters with a GPA of at least 3.25, and I made the Dean's List in this past semester.

Am I claiming that marijuana saved my education? Absolutely not, and I'm not even insinuating a minor correlation between marijuana use and an increase in academic achievement, because that's just ludicrous. But what I am saying is that the long-held notions that marijuana makes one lazy, stupid, uninspired, useless, and a burden to society, are complete bullcrap. I can count the number of days that I smoked marijuana less than three times this past semester on one hand, and I made the Dean's List. I showed up to class high more than once, even got an A+ on two different precalculus exams that I did under the influence of marijuana.

I could sit here and type out a 20,000 word essay on the history of the defamation of marijuana and the truth about the plant, filled with references to dozens of academic and medical journal publications backing up my information - I'm probably more knowledgeable about marijuana than I am about anything outside of weather, sports, and metal music - but that would be pointless.

Instead, I'm just going to humbly ask all of you to seek out the truth about cannabis rather than buying into the propaganda that has led to the jailing of thousands and thousands of harmless people who have hurt nobody with their actions. It's a common saying within the marijuana counter-culture that the most dangerous thing about the plant is that it is illegal, and I completely agree with that. I can tell you from my own personal experience that the only withdrawal symptom I've experienced is slight insomnia, and that daily smoking has had hardly any effect on my lungs (the only thing I can note that has changed is an increase in mucus production, which is minorly annoying at worst), and that I've gone from nearly failing out of college to being a Dean's List student after becoming a regular toker.

We're in the midst of a time in history where the public perception of cannabis is changing rapidly, which is great. But in a socially conservative state like Texas, that change is going to be met with extreme resistance, and the state will probably be one of the last to follow the "medical-decriminalization-legalization" model of marijuana legal reform. But it doesn't have to be that way. Look into the facts yourself, do some reading, some documentary-watching, hell even try some of the stuff yourself if you want. And then when the day inevitably comes that Texas finally starts putting some marijuana reform bills to vote, you'll have the knowledge to make a legitimate decision based on the facts. If you somehow come to the conclusion that it should be illegal after looking into it, then fine. But at least look into it.

PS: I've never tried any other drug outside of medication prescribed to me from a medical professional, and alcohol. Marijuana has no link to cocaine and the harder stuff whatsoever. In my time smoking, I've never heard of anyone saying, "Man, weed just doesn't cut it anymore...I need some meth!" It just doesn't happen. People who smoke, like myself, do so for the effect, but also for the lack of after-effect. No other drug can offer an alternative state of mind without some kind of punishment later.

[FirefightnRick]

..."Colorado State Patrol says stoned driver crashed into 2 Patrol vehicles."....

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24896305/csp-says-stoned-driver-crashed-into-2-patrol

Edit: corrected link above.

Rick

Edited January 14, 2014 by FirefightnRick

[oldguystudent]

I don't think anybody said driving while stoned was a good idea.

Edit: Rick, that link is to an article about Charlie Strong's contract.

Edited January 14, 2014 by oldguystudent