American ex-teacher nabbed for marijuana possession

Wednesday 14th January, 03:30 PM JST

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bushlover at 02:14 AM JST - 15th January

Put a curfew on these English Teachers NOW. Confine them to some sort of base like in Saudi Arabia or something. All they do is bring shame on their nation as representatives of their respective nations. Just wait till the Canadians and Aussies get arrested and expect Japan to bend over backwards for their lax attitude on drugs. It's coming so we should nip this in the bud so to speak pardon the pun.
telecasterplayer at 03:22 AM JST - 15th January

No matter what your 'opinion' of what marijuana laws 'should be', the fact remains that marijuana cultivation, possession and consumption is really, really illegal. Govt's tend to really, really frown upon that sort of thing. And since this story doesn't say anything about any possible altruistic intents, such as providing it to cancer patients who need help overcoming the effects of chemo, there appears to be no moral high ground. Therefore, the heck with this guy. If he's guilty, let him enjoy the hospitality of the Japan penal system. His nationality is irrelevant, except to point out what a dork he allegedly is for challenging another nation's criminal code.
MeanRingo at 08:43 AM JST - 15th January

It IS a beautiful plant, and would do wonders in almost any home on the small scale. I'm not talking about a grow op or anything, but they are nice to look at and they smell grrreat! if you're into it and sometimes even if you're not.

Second, I'm totally up for a little guerrilla growing, but you have to be smart about it. ESPECIALLY in Japan. Find a secluded patch of mountains somewhere. Hop over to an island. Or something. Not too smart growing it in your tiny cramped apartment though. I think this guy must have just invited the wrong person over or told too many people who told too many people. Tragic though. Too bad this guy is going to have to spend some time in jail for doing something as harmless as growing your own tomatoes. So Japanese to punish what doesn't need it and turn the other way when action needs to be taken.
shouganaika at 09:52 AM JST - 15th January

Put a curfew on these English Teachers NOW. Confine them to some sort of base like in Saudi Arabia or something. All they do is bring shame on their nation as representatives of their respective nations. Just wait till the Canadians and Aussies get arrested and expect Japan to bend over backwards for their lax attitude on drugs. It's coming so we should nip this in the bud so to speak pardon the pun.

I didn't know Americans were so skilled at sarcasm, well done!
mrhog123 at 10:53 AM JST - 15th January

Thank God he wasn't in Singapore. If my memory serves me getting hit with a bamboo kane several times and a long stint in jail. If you have over a certain ammount you could get the death penalty.
openyoureyes at 01:50 PM JST - 15th January

10 grams? Do they weigh the whole plant, roots and all, I wonder?

That's the general policy in most countries.
likeitis at 01:56 PM JST - 15th January

Amazing. As we've seen today in JT ,in Japan it's perfectly legal to have a stack of child pornography at home, but a cannabis plant lands you in jail. It's a shame for Wesley that his 'vice' was to sit at home quietly having a toke rather than aiding the sexual exploitation of children. This country is seriously warped.

This from a guy named Muchakucha. Well, the handle matches the post.

I could just as easily say his possession of marijuana was aiding drug use across the country and therefore funding the Yaks.
likeitis at 01:59 PM JST - 15th January

The plant lover thing cracked me up. Will he really say that in court to a judge.

If he has a whole bunch of other potted plants, it might lend the excuse some credence. Even more would be if no THC is found in the pipes, and he was only using them for tobacco.
likeitis at 02:02 PM JST - 15th January

there appears to be no moral high ground.

There is plenty of moral high ground, just no legal leg to stand on. Big difference. Victimless crime. Private residence. Private time. Yet the government is invasive and reactionary. Plenty of moral high ground here.
Yelnats at 02:21 PM JST - 15th January

Americans made good ole pot illegal here during the occupation. So stupid of them. The stuff grows wild all over the country. Take some hikes and you will find it. Just do not send a message to your local koban with a GPS attached.
likeitis at 04:40 PM JST - 15th January

Just do not send a message to your local koban with a GPS attached.

Ha. That reminds me! I wonder if this guy was caught thanks to a report to the police. I wonder how much trouble the narc got? A lot I hope, and I hear its likely.
jwills79 at 06:06 PM JST - 15th January

Yelnats,

You are right. Marijuana has been around Japan for centuries and was used in religious ceremonies. Now it seems to be shooting some of us in the foot.
Reicheru at 06:06 PM JST - 17th January

How is there any moral high ground here? Just because it is a "victimless crime" doesn't mean it is somehow excusable for this guy to be in possession of it. The law is the law and he broke it. What's worse is that he is a high school teacher. It is his responsibility to set an upstanding example for these impressionable young kids. Whatever your opinion on marijuana may be this was totally inappropriate and the book should be thrown at this guy to set an example.
saborichan at 09:39 AM JST - 19th January

It's not like he only had a plant, too. He had a plant and some actual smokeable stuff, along with pipes.

If he loved plants so much, why would he burn them?
pointofview at 03:42 PM JST - 19th January

Its not an important issue. Who cares about smoking weed? The drug issue (because of the US)has escalated over the decades because its a platform that politicians can use to make money but at the same time look good. Then other countries jump on the band wagon. Puffing is then broadcasted by the media and blown out of proportion (because news is controlled)as if it is evil... Why in god`s name should a persons life be ruined just for smoking a bifter? I tell you the world is backwards...Catching and prosecuting a person smoking a J does absolutely nothing positive for society. To all the high strung individuals out there who seem to think weed is evil...CHILL OUT!