marijuana

Deputies found at least 446 marijuana plants at a home in Mobile County earlier this year. (Courtesy/Mobile County Sheriff's Office)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The arrest of the executive director of the Alabama Medical Marijuana Coalition has stirred debate among AL.com readers over legalizing marijuana in Alabama.

Christopher Butts and three other people were arrested Saturday by the Cullman County sheriff's department. Butts, Stephen Franks, Sonja Franks and Amber Nixon face a felony charge of trafficking marijuana while Nixon has also been charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Cullman County Sheriff Mike Rainey said deputies responded to a call regarding the welfare of the child at the house where the arrests were made. A child was turned over to the department of human resources and arrangements were made for the child to stay with family, Rainey said.

The sheriff also said about 35 marijuana plants as well as some buds were confiscated at the house southwest of Cullman.

A non-scientific poll conducted on AL.com earlier this month (and where you can still cast your vote) indicated overwhelming support from readers for the legalization of marijuana.



Here is a sampling of comments in the story of Butts' arrest from AL.com readers in the debate to legalize marijuana.

AlphaRaptor_The Ultimate FreeBird: Uruguay and the Philippines just legalized MJ, we should be next!

wallycw: I consider myself a pretty staunch conservative and I support legalization of marijuana for recreational use. It has to be taxed appropriately and other laws must be enacted as far as operating vehicles under intoxication similar to alcohol but it should be legal. It doesn't take a scientist to realize the long term effects, while different, are not worse from marijuana when compared to alcohol. That being said, it should not lead to a decriminalization of any other drug. Marijuana is an outlier...... not a gateway. Also I don't believe people should complain about the sin taxes levied against marijuana..... if you want to partake in these vices..... marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, etc. then you pay for it... pure and simple.

This guy has made it pretty difficult for his cause to be taken seriously and if the group is serious about their cause they should get rid of him immediately.

Locmemup: Alpha I agree with your argument to a point. Except there are smart people that know how to treat pot to make it more and more potent until it becomes dangerous. Open that door and we will be having a different conversation down the road. The stoners won't buy the garden variety MJ there will always be someone that will figure out a way to addict you to their variety. Don't be naive. It will happen. The thug and Mexican connection is valid but if we would shut down the borders and enforce the law we wouldn't have a problem. If we would put doctors in prison that over-prescribe to line their pockets we would not have a problem. Not a fan of big Pharm either just so you know.

Mortie: Its all about sick people.

Sure it is.

ASmithAlabama: Some of us (like me) actually don't use it, but have grown tired of seeing our cops militarized, our children incarcerated and Big Pharma getting rich selling people poison. Some of us care what happens to others.

ElizaChotard: I refer you to recent statements by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Jahpharmer: Yup them thar law enforcement folk in Cullman County sure do prove that they as immune to social advancement, and inured and enamored with keeping human misery alive and well, as they are proud of their inbred, Al'a-bummer'ness...gott'a keep cousin Bubba employed down at the jay'il; gotta keep cousin Ha'ug employed down at the low'cal prison; gotta keep cousin Klem employed in his shiny new paw'trol car...heck, been dat way fur generations down he'year, ay'nn it's gonn'a be dat way fur generations to come, sho'nuff, Honey.

Such a sad state of (in)human affairs...and those people you the citizens of Alabama have elected to govern over you will do everything in their absurd (ab)use of the powers you've given them to keep their ability to continue to hold you down, hold you back, and deny you the God given herb as so eloquently spoken about on page 1 of your King James Bible...spoken by God himself, I believe: "...all herb bearing seed..."

https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkRtzfYdMgjNxGyXqxIAiQrGja7McdqiJo: The most patriotic thing we can do is end the Treason of the morality police.

Chiku_Misra_272: It's essentially a states' rights issue. Marijuana is legal in several states and therefore potheads should simply relocate there rather than try to change a society that has repeatedly made its position clear on this issue, through both legislation and referendum.

bpin: Folks will get a taste of legalization on Wednesday when Coloado starts selling......at over $200 for an ounce. It will be interesting to see how folks can afford it.....and they likely cannot. The guy on the corner will still be there selling much cheaper, and since possesion is legal I will bet that the guy on the street far outsells the store teller because of much lower overhead and NO TAXES.

Andy: We will gladly pay $200 an ounce. Our tax dollars well spent, instead of arresting citizens for a victimless crime. We are law abiding citizens, with good jobs and nice homes. All we ask is the prohibitionists not arrest us for enjoying a little cannabis in the comfort of our home. We won't drive under the influence, we won't allow kids access. Just mind your own business.

MidnightMoses: yes, i am obeying the law. i am not using cannabis to control the pain i have from degenerative disc disease. instead, i am a legal opioid addict who is destroying his liver by using LEGAL hydrocodone pills - pills that, when enough have been taken to relieve my pain, leave me in a stupor. therefore, i almost never am pain-free because i don't enjoy a lethargic torpor. there are strains of cannabis that relieve pain with a minimum of mental impairment, are not addictive, and can be grown by those that need its benefits. but, unfortunately, the law makes no distinction in this regard. so maybe - just maybe - would you consider the possibility that the law just might not be good for someone to follow?

Ignotus Auctor: This is proof that marijuana usage makes people stupid.

Mad Cat: Which cartell is the AMMJC associated with, one from Columbia or, one from Mexico? The public needs to know. When will they charge the four adults with endangering a child or at least contributing to the delinquency of minor?

pygar: the laws are as out of tuoch as the people who make them, especially here in alabama