Edmond, OK, Oklahoma
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 1
Legislation: Oklahoma will be one of the last states to consider decriminalization, or even medical use, no matter what the facts may be . And Edmond, home of Oklahoma Christian University, will be one of the last towns in Oklahoma.Oklahoma City is encroaching on Edmond’s squeaky-clean city limits, and the powers that be don’t like it one bit. There is no “wrong side of the tracks” in Edmond, and they intend to keep it that way.
Possession of any amount of marijuana is punishable by up to one year in jail for the first offense and 2 – 10 years in prison for subsequent offenses. Conditional discharge is available to first time offenders.
Law enforcement: Interstate 35 runs through Edmond city limits, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as well as the Edmond local cops are well aware that it’s a straight shot from south Texas to points north. It is uncommon to drive a few miles on this stretch of interstate (or I-44 to Tulsa) without seeing one or more vehicles surrounded by Oklahoma’s finest, trunks open, K-9s hard at work or on their way. Edmond proper is every bit as bad.
No slaps on the wrist around here, either. First offense or not. Ninety nine percent of the local cops are under thirty years old, hard-core butch-cut marine-types just lookin’ to score some brownie points, and they’ll use any reason, valid or not, to pull you over and search you and your car.
A single rolling paper will get you a paraphernalia charge that’ll cost you the night in jail (if you can afford to bond out), approximately $2,000 in fines and court costs, 6 weeks of NA meetings, 6 weeks of counseling, at least 6 months probation, and probably some other stuff that they’ve thought of since my stay there.(which was less than a year ago).
The following is a local reporter’s notes on this report:
1. The article states “Ninety nine percent of the local cops are under thirty years old, hard-core butch-cut marine-types just lookin’ to score some brownie points, and they’ll use any reason, valid or not, to pull you ove r and search you and your car.”
Although pot arrests in Edmond are not uncommon, the main focus of the drug war here in Oklahoma is Meth Labs and users. If you’ve ever been out to the country in Oklahoma, you’ve seen a few geetered crackheads who look 70 but are really only 35ish. Faces sunk in, jaw movements, …etc. These people would sell their children for an 8ball. Some cops are older and even the younger ones will give you a break if you cooperate with them when you know they’re gonna find your stash anyway. I’ve been pulled over in my truck- NORML stickers and all- many times and have never been searched. I also don’t drive around with it in my car, though.
2.”No slaps on the wrist around here, either. First offense or not.”
**Personally, I have been arrested in Edmond for possession of paraphernalia along with other charges. I got a tap on the wrist and some AA meetings. However, I have also been let go many times by officers whom I was very honest with cooperative. You have to know when you’re “got”. And being dumb and speeding on the highway when you have smogged out your car is a good way to get “got”. Most of the Edmond cops aren’t out looking to bust some casual smokers/partyers who are of age.
3. “A single rolling paper will get you a paraphernalia charge that’ll cost you the night in jail (if you can afford to bond out)…
***It’s not $2000, it’s more like $350 in fines, $200 court costs. Yeah, they give you AA and probation- isn’t that considered a slap on the wrist? The judges are reasonable, just not with trafficing. Or in conjunction with other crimes/offenses. I once had a parking ticket for $250, I went to court, made my case to the Judge (Sinar) and he reduced it to half. I had pictures and everything and was pushing a trial on it, but he was reasonable.
There’s really not much to see in Edmond as far as pothead travel destinations go, and no, it’s not a “heady” town, but it’s my town and I felt I had to defend it somehow. Certain cops are gonna suck in every town, you just can be stupid and smoke in places where you’re likely to get caught. I was just put-off by this article- it made it sound like my home sucks. I’m a pothead, I live here, and I like it.”
Where to buy marijuana: Don’t even risk it. Go to Norman (very laid-back for Oklahoma. Still gotta be low-key, though.) Or at least Oklahoma City.
Marijuana prices: Plenty of decent quality Mexi-brick for $50.00 an oz. Wide variety of centerfold stuff around for $400.00 an oz. and up if you know the right folks.