Minnesota police officers have pulled over a woman who could potentially face up to 30 years in prison. This is because a bong, which contained water that tested positive for methamphetamine, was discovered in her car. It is worth noting that Minnesota decriminalized drug paraphernalia last year, yet the discovery of the bong has still led to serious legal consequences.
The impact of the “war on drugs” era’s strict laws is still evident, as demonstrated by this particular case.
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According to a report from the Minnesota Reformer, Jessica Beske was driving on Highway 59 in Polk County, Minnesota when she was pulled over by deputies who detected the smell of marijuana emanating from her vehicle. Beske hails from Fargo, North Dakota.
According to officers, they found drug paraphernalia in the car of the 43-year-old, including a bong, a glass container holding a “crystal substance,” and other items.
According to court documents reviewed by The Guardian, Beske stated that three drug paraphernalia items were discovered by the police and were confirmed to test positive for meth.
According to her, she was accused of first-degree drug possession due to the weight of the “glass paraphernalia and bong water,” even though the water only had traces of the substance.
Beske made a request in the document to have her car and $1,400 cash returned to her, stating that they were “not subject to forfeiture.”
Minnesota recently passed decriminalization laws, but it’s important to note that bong water is still considered a controlled substance under existing legislation.
According to the Reformer, the regulation regarding bong water was established after the State v Peck case in 2009, where the state supreme court ruled that bong water could be categorized as a “drug mixture” and should be factored in when determining penalties related to drug weights.
According to the Reformer, individuals found guilty of first-degree possession charges can receive a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both.
A request for comment was made to the Polk County attorney’s office, which is responsible for handling the case. However, no immediate response was received at the time of writing.
Upon seeing her charge sheet, Beske was taken aback to learn that she could potentially face a significant amount of time in prison, as she shared her shock with others.
Beske recalled feeling overwhelmed with the thought of having to spend 30 to 40 years in prison. He shared, “All I could think about was the possibility of spending that much time behind bars. I was so consumed by my thoughts that I couldn’t even speak or breathe properly.”
According to her, the possible punishment seemed like an error, especially considering that Minnesota had decriminalized drug paraphernalia. However, upon conducting some research, she discovered the origins of the law regarding bong water and even observed the legislative session when it was approved.
During the session, there was no discussion about the impact on people’s lives, and the decision was made hastily without any consideration of those who would be affected. Expressing her frustration, she stated, “They just pushed it through without any thought. Nobody seems to care about how this will affect us.”
Beske stated that she is currently collaborating with a lawyer to assist her in handling the severe penalty and is optimistic about the possibility of a change in the law.
Beske expressed her frustration with the current law, stating that it is simply unjust. She remains hopeful that changes will be made to prevent others from having to endure the same experience.
