Police Department Jokes About “420” Busts on Twitter, but Cannabis Prohibition Is No Laughing Matter

Today is April 20, cannabis culture’s “high” holiday, and the police department in Wyoming, Minnesota (yes, you read that correctly) decided to make a joke about it on Twitter.

Many thought the Tweet was funny, but others pointed out that arresting people for cannabis possession is actually no laughing matter.

Undercover #420 operations are in place. Discreet traps have been set up throughout the city today. #Happy420 pic.twitter.com/Jo8mh0Z5lQ

— Wyoming, MN Police (@wyomingpd) April 20, 2017

@wyomingpd That’s a chill joke about how you knowingly imprison harmless people for an arbitrary excuse!

— Lev Novak (@LevNovak) April 20, 2017

@wyomingpd How hilarious, catching people committing non-violent crimes and jailing them for years, while letting rapists off with no days served.

— Erica Friedman (@OkazuYuri) April 20, 2017

@wyomingpd Yeah, it is so hilarious that people lose their entire livelihoods, families, and freedom. Reeeeeeeaaaaaaaal knee slapper that one.

— A.M. Pines (@AM_Pines) April 20, 2017

@wyomingpd It’s easy to stereotype, isn’t it? pic.twitter.com/LMcJE9xRk4

— III (@FatFool22) April 20, 2017

@nyjerrykane @wyomingpd @PissedOff911 Shouldn’t be arresting “stoners” to begin with.. should be looking for you know ACTUAL criminals

— lewismd12 (@jusfocus) April 20, 2017

@wyomingpd Same pic.twitter.com/eFhwYS8l7m

— Raven Anarchy (@RavingAnarchy) April 20, 2017

@wyomingpd Would be funny, but the amount of lives that have been destroyed by unfit legislation makes this a matter not to laugh about…

— Philip Evans (@Focian) April 20, 2017

@wyomingpd Cool use of tax dollars. Now go catch a real criminal.

— Chris Menning (@cjmenning) April 20, 2017

The police department posted these Tweets a bit later in the day:

With that being said, if you need help with substance abuse issues please contact us & we’ll find resources. That does NOT mean jail time. https://t.co/9LYychixly

— Wyoming, MN Police (@wyomingpd) April 20, 2017

All jokes aside, substance abuse is a real issue. We use tongue in cheek humor to bring attention to those issues.

— Wyoming, MN Police (@wyomingpd) April 20, 2017

@wyomingpd Shaming people and then trapping them into the prison industrial complex is sick and gross. This is why people don’t trust PDs or cops.

— LumpyLauryn (@lumpylauryn) April 20, 2017

MN Department of Human Services website w/ resources for substance abuse: https://t.co/qSMDDn22dq #Happy420 #420

— Wyoming, MN Police (@wyomingpd) April 20, 2017

While marijuana is decriminalized to an extent in Minnesota – possession of 42.5 grams or less is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum fine of $200 – possessing more than that is a felony and can land you in jail for five years with a $10,000 fine. The state’s medical marijuana laws are also incredibly strict, making it difficult for people to use cannabis for medical purposes.

Despite higher public support than ever for legalized cannabis and a growing body of research that shows the incredible medicinal value of the plant, some “authorities” just can’t seem to grasp that the time to end the war on drugs is long overdue. Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon – if ever.

With Jeff “good people don’t smoke marijuana” Sessions as Attorney General and Trump’s recent appointment of extreme marijuana prohibitionist Tom Marino as US drug czar, it seems the US is taking steps towards more prohibition, not less.

Related Reading: Prohibition, Politics, and Profit: The Truth About Cannabis and Why Government Wants to Control It