While the stigma surrounding weed has certainly decreased, there are still, obviously, a lot of exceptions to the current zeitgeist. The UK is perhaps the biggest example of a country that remains behind the eightball in terms of marijuana acceptance. Today, however, they might have taken ‘unacceptance’ to a whole different level, as UK police suggest prosecution for those mocking tiny drug bust online.
Apparently, They Don’t Have Bigger Fish To Fry
After what was perhaps the smallest drug bust in human history, West Yorkshire Police took to Facebook to share the cannabis ‘haul’ they were able to seize from a young Wakefield man.
“PCSO 687 Ian Campbell and PCSO 882 Ben Hughes attended Walton colliery nature park and seized a small quantity of Cannabis from a young man who was parked up alone,” the Facebook post read. “Walton Colliery nature park will be firmly on our patrol plan in the future to prevent this behavior.”
Inevitably, after the Police department’s post, commenters began to have a field day with the mind-numbing ‘criminal’ exploitation.
“Is this satire,” one commenter asked.
“Hope you manage to nail Pablo Escobar this afternoon,” another joked.
“Wow, that’s put a dent in the war on drugs lol.”
Unhappy with the narrative surrounding their landmark drug bust, the Facebook page updated their post—this time, with a stern warning.
Officers Respond To Criticism
“Please use this page with respect or you will be banned and maybe even prosecuted,” PC Moizer wrote. “I would like to remind everyone that this is a Police page and whatever your thoughts on one of my officers seizing drugs in the community, being insulting, abusive or offensive can and will result in a prosecution under the Malicious Communications Act 1988.”
Despite the officer’s warning, commenters were not deterred. Several hundred additional comments poured in after the post’s update. Specifically, about their rights being infringed upon.
“Freedom of speech and expression. It is allowed in this country, but funny that you busted a whole gram lmao, the cartels are scared,” one commenter wrote.
“Doesn’t seem to understand that he’s a public servant in a progressive democracy or where his wage comes from!! Free speech you moron,” said one angry member of the page.
In addition to their freedom of speech being compromised, many also questioned the department’s allocation of time and budget.
“Yorkshire has been a breeding ground for grooming gangs for decades and this is what the West Yorkshire police choose to brag about on social media. EMBARRASSING.”
“Jolly good job chaps!! Don’t worry about the pedophiles or anything like that, because the youths are smoking cannabis.”
While there was a tiny fraction of support for the police department’s exploits, it certainly wasn’t significant. If we had to estimate, about one out of every 75 comments stuck up for the police if even that. At this point in time, it’s no secret that the prohibition model has proved ineffective. The sooner the police realize that the better—for their own sake.
