Medical marijuana: 10 years for Cheeba Chews in Japan? Western states aren't much kinder

By William Breathes Thu., Nov. 17 2011 at 12:59 PM

9News

Yesterday, 9News broke the story of Colorado School of Mines student Tim Wilson.

The 25-year-old is facing up to ten years in prison in Japan because a friend back here in Colorado sent him a care package containing some pot cookies and Cheeba Chews.

Wilson, who is studying abroad, has denied knowing that his friend was going to send him him the cookies, but Japanese officials point to an e-mail Wilson sent to the unnamed Mines student saying it "would be a good idea" to send marijuana overseas. I can imagine Wilson would want to add some fun to his otherwise dreary life studying and helping the country with earthquake relief efforts.

Despite never receiving the package or having it in his possession, he was arrested and has been in Japanese custody since August. According to Wilson's father, the trial has been delayed three times already and the earliest estimate on a start time is now for sometime January.

Since the 9News story ran, Cheeba Chews posted a link to it on their facebook page with the note: "We in no way advocate shipping Chews out of state, but no one should face 10 years for 4 Chews."

I agree. But while ten years sounds like something that only a foreign country would impose for possession (if you can call it that), the reality is that Colorado is pretty much an island of cannabis tolerance in the otherwise pot-unfriendly Rocky Mountain West. Several of the states around us have punishments as bad, if not worse than what Wilson is facing in Japan.

Below, check out the penalties you could face for possession and distribution in Colorado and in our neighboring states according to the folks at NORML:

Tags:

9News, Cheeba Chews, Japan, medical marijuana, NORML, Tim Wilson

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etherialist

His friend should've used a foodsaver.. vacuum seal the contraband, change gloves and rooms, dunk it in bleach solution for a bit, put new gloves on and vacuum seal again with a clean sealer. Has worked many times domestically....

Japan has zero tolerance for cannabis and Tim didn't ask for the contraband. Here's an idea, there's plenty of caregivers in CO who have old weed they havent gotten rid of or made into edibles. Why not just follow the above safe procedures and mail it over to Tim's prosecuters in Japan? They didnt ask for it but heck they gotta go to the slammer for up to 10 years anyway.

Seedy Ward

I recall reading that Japan's cannabis laws were established courtesy of the US occupying forces after WWII. The US military was down with Harry "Asslicker" Anslinger and created the law accordingly.

Monkey

Yep, the US constructed the worldwide cannabis prohibition, got everyone to sign it. Plants are scary ya know.

Rev. B Baker

Im from wyo, now ya know why this shit pisses me off! bee busted for a joint there 3 times!

Robert Chase

No state or nation that presumes to control what its citizens put into their own bodies can be called civilized.

Allamony

we arent Civilized we are CIVILIZERS lol , its a step beyond

Monkey

The funny thing about Wyoming is that growing 100 acres of weed is not that big a deal.

Cultivation of ANY AMOUNT is a MISDEMEANOR with a possible 6 month jail and $1000.

Allamony

seriously? what if they throw distribution in there can't they just make it RICO or whatever?

Monkey

Yea, it's harsh there. Over 3oz is a felony. But I think it's funny that you can grow thousands of plants and just get a misdemeanor if they can't prove anything else.

Allamony

Maybe they should put more focus into not polluting our oceans with nuclear waste and trying to sell us Fish and Vegetables w/ eyes and a healthy green glow ...

High Country Caregiver

Locked up abroad for real! Japan is among the most strict prisons on earth!

Justsayin

bullshit. japan is among the most strict if you ignore the fact that all the countries in south america and all the countries in africa are far worse places to be locked up.

High Country Caregiver

You are correct in saying that there are worse places, more disgusting, dangerous, YES! Japan however as I said is the most strict. You're not allowed to take naps, and your entire day is full of disciplined activity. There are no drugs, TV, newspapers, none of that. In this sense, Japan is the worst because they monitor and re-condition prisoners. Many other prisons on earth are real bad, but at least in those you can hang out and do nothing, get high, fight, typical prison shit, not so in Japan though. Please consider my explanation.

Allamony

or bumpy penis?

Colforbin

what the fuck are babbling about?

Justsayin

i can't take a nap?. those god damned assholes. you're right... not being able to take a nap is just as bad as say, getting murderd?

Allamony

I heard on This American Life this cat got stuck in this Chinese Prison with this dude named Bumpy Penis and then one day the mistakingly put on Bumpy Penis's shorts . Ouch !