By the end of this decade, pot will be legal in every state with the possible exception of Utah. However there will still be people who lives were forever altered because of a possession charge last decade.
You cant say that those felonies were ever a reasonable punishment for the crime, which ins no longer a crime today in many cities.
As for those upstanding citizens who have never committed a felony, consider
- the # of Wall Street types who could be charged with felony SEC violations
- the # of Americans who have committed perjury and fraud (think tax returns). Ever not reported income from tips or failed to 1099 someone for work performed over a certain dollar amount?
- more than a few 18 year olds with 17 year old or younger girlfriends who have done more than kiss
- anyone violating a websites TOS. Its called Computer Fraud and Abuse (Title 18 U.S. Code §1030)
- Copyright infringement - Its not just the countless # who have downloaded music illegally, but those who have used a copyrighted image without permission. Heybucket has several who have committed a felony simply with their avatar.
- violate curfew
Here is a book for you JonRiv:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1594032556/reasonmagazineA/