Native Americans Challenge Tobacco Ban

Lakota inmates in South Dakota are challenging a ban on Tobacco use in the prison. Clearly,
the use of Tobacco is a fundamental part of Native American Religion and Tradition. Personally,
I believe they should have every right to do so. It is the responcibility of the prison to create an area
for this activity so that it does not affect the health of other inmates or employees.
It appears that many of us still need to fight for our self evident rights in America.

Link to Article :

www.huffingtonpost.com...

I think in prison everyone should be treated the same. If they want to smoke they shouldn't have committed crimes to put them there in the first place. Sounds like great motivation to stay out of jail once they're released.

i can see if it's for a ceremony or 2 a year...ok....that's a ceremony. but i do not believe they should be allowed to just smoke tobacco cuz they're indians...the law is the law...and this is coming from someone who has been to prison and was a smoker.

if they are actually practicing a religious ritual...i believe they should have every right...but if they just wanna muffle their nic-fit...they should've thought about that...

Religious ceremonies could be kept, allowing for a certain time period for worship with the use tobacco. Outside of the ceremony the use of the drug may be prohibited, but during the ceremony the 1st amendment should be protected.

no they shouldnt, they are in prison, will Rastafarian be allowed weed in prison? no.

reply to post by Fitch303


I am an Indian advocate, and understand where you are coming from. But if they really wanted to keep tradition, they should of stayed out of jail.

Prison is designed to desensitive inmates. It does not seem designed to reform. If religious expression was allowed in prison, including the use of cannibus, or tobacco, or anything, it allows those in prison to reflect on the spiritual nature of their actions. Without any type of expression of redemtion how can we hope to allow people to redeme themselves?

Originally posted by Fitch303
I think in prison everyone should be treated the same. If they want to smoke they shouldn't have committed crimes to put them there in the first place. Sounds like great motivation to stay out of jail once they're released.

guess you aren't familliar with all the cases where the Injuns aren't even guilty of a crime?
www.leonardpeltier.net...

maybe they should put the effers responsible for that travesty in a small cell with some big injuns who haven't had a cigarette for a couple days....justice...ya dig?

What is crime? In the end it is anyone who does not fit within the confines of the dominant reality. If Native Americans are being incarcerated for a crime then the crime must match some prohibited action. One must look at what is prohibited and decide if that designation must be changed. I know this takes a lot of time, but we still must operate within the confines of law. Otherwise we are subject to that body which manages the confines of law.

Stupid, if you read the story you will see that they DID allow them to continue using it after the ban but abused it. The entire argument is stupid though, should Muslim prisoners be released from prison so they can make their pilgrimage to mecca? If the catholic churches in prison can use grape juice instead of wine then the Indians can smoke their willow bark instead of tobacco.

You know, smoking does shorten their life span. That could help with the over crowding problem only joking


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

Stupid. How does this word help the situation? I have a deep desire to respect the readers of this forum. If there are those reading, who are incarcerated then I want to establish a forum of respect.

You know....life is short. Nobody lives forever (including all you health nuts!) ...we are all going to die someday. So why in the world is everyone so up in arms about smoking a legal substance? Jeez...let these guys have their tobacco already...not a big deal.

Originally posted by zookman44
Stupid. How does this word help the situation?

What situation do you think anyone here is "helping"?

In prison there is an emphasis on reduced exposure to stimulae. I have not been imprisoned, but I have an educated guess about the principal desire of those who imprison. Take away humanity, take away sensation, take away.... simplyl take away whatever.

Originally posted by ICEKOHLD
i can see if it's for a ceremony or 2 a year...ok....that's a ceremony. but i do not believe they should be allowed to just smoke tobacco cuz they're indians...the law is the law...and this is coming from someone who has been to prison and was a smoker.

if they are actually practicing a religious ritual...i believe they should have every right...but if they just wanna muffle their nic-fit...they should've thought about that...

I agree. I smoke a few non-filter cigs/year. Its a nasty buzz but seriously a dream-launching experience. After I smoke a couple (NON-FILTER), I give the pack away.

20 years ago someone bummed a cig off of me (marb-lt), tore its filter off and said "if I'm gonna smoke I want it to be the best". She went on to describe the joy of a nice tobacco after a long abstinance from it, and further how the filter keeps people "chasing the buzz" while never really getting it, and getting lost in the smoky haze.

reply to post by reitze


I don't know why you people choose to smoke, I had to watch my Unlce die from COPD. It wasnt a pleasent experience.. Imagine laying in your bed, Un-able to breath, then drowning to death. It was miserable. Thats what your all going to get.

Much rather take a bullet to the head then go that way.

reply to post by nixie_nox


I respect your thoughts as well of those of the rest of the replies who beg to differ. We live in desperate
times. In times such as these good people can make some bad decisions. Certainly staying out of
incarceration is the wise choice to start with. Yet these particular inmates are fighting for their religious
rights, or so it appears. Considering The United States Governments checkered history regarding Native
Americans, I think some latitude should be considered. Thanks for your reply.

Originally posted by Mikeyy
reply to post by reitze

 

I don't know why you people choose to smoke, I had to watch my Unlce die from COPD. It wasnt a pleasent experience.. Imagine laying in your bed, Un-able to breath, then drowning to death. It was miserable. Thats what your all going to get.
Much rather take a bullet to the head then go that way.

As I said smoking, and most recreational drugs have a mind-altering effect and historically have been connected to "spiritual experiences"... like my post relating tobacco to "dream launching".

One thing I've learned from such experiences with Tobacco, and other substances is the "addictive" properties dull/deaden the intended desired effect.

Like smoking a filtered cig lessons its nauseating effect,... the dreams don't happen but the lung pollution and stench do... and MANY people keep trying for that once felt spiritual or emotional benefiting effect.

Its my opinion that consumption of things in MODERATION is the key to both obtaining their benefits while not succumbing to their risks. Obviously tobacco has those. However, prohibition (eg: Tobacco ban) leads to CRIME and CRIMINALIZATION of people who otherwise might just enjoy a good buzz once in a while. And if not, well there is a "Darwin answer" too. And no I don't hope for the Darwin answer for others. I hope for an EDUCATION answer rather than a govt acting as though the nanny-state can fix everything - like anything legal is A OK --- that seems part of the current state of things.

Like prohibition leads to all sorts of home breweries and associated dangers of poison... Safe and legal is appropriate IMHO for ALL DRUGS. As a "Libertarian" I advocate legalization and brain-power over consumption urges. Can't handle booze? Don't drink. Don't like porn/prostitution? Don't obsess on it. Don't like drugs? Don't take any (and yea that includs prescriptions).

Note that 1/2 the USA is "on something". The most popular is "Opiods", and yea that the same key ingredient as in heroine, morphine, and Opium. And if we count the legal but non-perscribed "drugs" like alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and sugar,... 99% of the USA is "on something", and its daily too. And yea sugar can kill just like tobacco.

Laws for good intention kill way beyond the intended good they try to do. The $powers paying to lobby these sorts of initiatives seem to know that too - but the more prohibition and regulation, the more the profit. Especially on the "spirit" and "health" related substances. That reminds me of "Hotel California", we haven't had that spirit here since 1969...

reply to post by benrl


Actually, I believe a Rastafarian SHOULD be allowed his "weed" as required by his/hers
religion. Due to the fact that this practice is illegal under U.S. Law,
prisoners of this nature should be transferred or extradited to the nearest detainment
facility that allows such behavior.