Next time trust your instincts and swallow the roach. If you have nothing else then they have no evidence. They'll be pissed but without it it will be difficult to convict you.

Serious ineptitude. Undercover's IQ's fly below the radar.

I feel that anger, man. It could have been a whole hell of a lot worse, but that's still seriously fucked up.

It's a pity you didn't just swallow it. Now you might want to think about blogging it all over cyber space with your name and cuss quotes. Hmmmm?
So this is good preparation for an independent career where you won't have to think about employers keeping a million dollars from you for such a triviality.
Think of it as a blessing.

I'd do further research to determine if your state has a non-disclosure clause on the books to keep the legal info from being accessible by future employers.

Disgusting. Like a virus, the War On Drugs has no purpose except to perpetuate itself.

Moses –

I am sorry to hear about your situation and sincerely wish you well in navigating your way clear of any permanent criminal record that would impact your future job prospects or career earning potential.

You commented, “What if I was Black?” It’s unfortunate that those 5 little words still make a big difference in one’s life experience in America in 2009. As you pointed out, this unpleasant episode could easily become a life altering experience for you. “There, but for the grace of God go I”. Hopefully, your anger over this incident and the empathy you feel toward others who, through no fault of their own, walk a different path, will motivate you to be an agent of change in your adult life. Just as negatively impacting someone’s future financial potential over a youthful indiscretion seems unjust; limiting one’s ability to extricate themselves from similar circumstances because of their race is just as unfair.

Many people point to the election of Barack Obama as proof that our society has been transformed and the safeguards put in place a generation ago to insure equality of opportunity, are no longer needed. While we have come very far, we have much further to travel.

Thanks for your words of support. I think the one thing I'll take away from this experience is that- while I think I've lost my interest in smoking the stuff- I'll never cease to be an open and outspoken advocate for reform.
Hearing Obama flippantly dismiss the issue, at a time when it was so important to me, really made me feel abandoned by a leader I support and worked to help elect. I think we need people willing to put their name on the line saying "keeping this illegal doesn't make sense." I respect Barney Frank for having the guts.
In full disclosure, AKA, Moses Mendoza isn't my real name- he's my alter-ego and protagonist. But thanks for your concern about me posting this.

"Busted at a concert on my birthday, what do I tell my new employer?"

How about taht you are an idiot?

And in Boone of all places!

I was at that show. I was in that restaurant that night. I helped sing to you. I was on stage later that night... I was working with the band, running monitors. I had to join OS after reading your post just so I could comment!

I'm really sorry that whole scenario occurred. I had heard about the undercover agents in the parking lot, but it was always a rumor at shows... I'm glad I decided to stay inside...

I think we're closer than ever to seeing some sort of sea change regarding marijuana. I, for one, am a lifelong advocate of this wonder drug.

whoa...

I once played a small role in the drug war, for which I will do hard time in hell if there is one. I was part of a group of progressive police who tried to institute community policing as a grassroots problem-solving effort. I watched in horror as it became co-opted as part of the relentless war on drugs. I wish I could say that I stood up at one of the meetings in Washington as the DEA cowboys strutted their stuff, but I kept my mouth shut. (Women don't count much in that world anyhow.) I apologize to you and everyone else who has been caught up in this insanity that more of us who know better don't take more risks in trying to dismantle the criminal justice machine.

good story, the damage done to pot users by law enforcement far outweights damage done by the pot, you're pretty lucky that you're white, that you had an extra $700, etc

What if I had been black? Sadly it isn't just marijuana busts where this applies. Obama is disappointing on so many levels. monkey fingered.

Thank you sincerely for posting this important piece.

I am sharing this with friends of reform.

"I didn't think it was physically possible, but this sucks and blows at the same time." -- Bart Simpson at PTA Talent Show.

Not to make light of what happened to you, but that line has never been more apt. Prohibition was a bad idea the first time, and has been disastrous as practiced these past few decades.

Typical government horseshit. First they bust you, then squeeze you monetarily. Nothing short of extortion. Problem is, once you're in the 'machine', there's no getting out. This trivial episode will follow you for the rest of your life: I know. I went to court, and even though my attorney had a signed "motion to suppress" previous altercations with the law, the prosecutor went right ahead and violated it in court, bringing up every freaking traffic citation I had since I was 18 years old. I was incredulous. Of course, if my lawyer had his shit together, he would have immediately motioned for a mistrial. But that didn't happen, and I got screwed. One thing you need to know, my friend: there is no "Justice System", rather what you really have is "The Legal System", and it ain't even close to being fair and equitable. Hopefully, your new boss will have a liberal soul, and cast this petty infraction aside. Best of luck to you.

Bluegrass and pot. I really misjudged the music. You guys rocked. Sorry for your trouble. Hope none of you tried to join the military.

Happy Belated Birthday.. On this one, Obama disappoints.

rated

Well, there you go. Absurdity....i loved the "nigger" comment. It was the frosting on the cake. A million dollar joint: you should write some fiction around that. I've had some at least 10000s-dollar drinks (dui) in my life, so i know whereof...

By the way, i smoked yesterday and finally all fear was banished from my frazzled brain and my fingers learned how to type near-shakespearian (tho postmodern) prose & even poetry...i understood deep mysteries and also mundane ones

in new perspectives, almost always comic-tragic- even-apocalyptic....i read william blake & he was...sort of...in the room....i read some hegel & kant, yep, they musta been stoners....i called a buncha people i been scared to death to call cuz i thought they hated me & turns out they love me....in short,

i am a reborn cat and baby i aint on the mat anymore....maybe THAT was my million dollar hit in the other direction!


Jim, living on fumes...

Legalizing marijuana would happen in our lifetime if the privately owned prisons were not making so much money by having so many unlucky folks caught using in their facilities. The lobbyists for these corporations make it impossible to change laws because of the profits that would be lost...Corporatism ala fascism at its finest.

Cuz, I seriously could not quit reading your stuff until i read this. Being a former druggie (big time) i'm sorry for your plight. But, I think you're going to be a comic, so fuck it.