A West Tisbury resident was recently released from Dukes County jail after serving a sentence on charges that he was in possession of more than 100 pounds of marijuana; he’d also been arraigned multiple times over a series of other alleged crimes last year, including violating an abuse prevention order, stemming from domestic disputes, in several Island towns.
West Tisbury resident Keith Bassett, aged 54, pleaded guilty on Jan. 26 to being in possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
The West Tisbury resident was released from Dukes County Sheriff’s Office’s custody on Feb. 27, after serving up to 90 days; he is ordered to be on probation until July 25, 2025.
Bassett was arraigned for the drug charges in July last year after being arrested by West Tisbury Police, who were conducting an investigation on the defendant.
According to court documents from July 17, police determined that Bassett was in possession of an “excess of the legal amount of marijuana,” with the likely intention of selling it.
According to the police report, around 100 pounds of marijuana and equipment for a growing operation — including commercial-grade growing lamps — were found in the basement of Bassett’s residence after West Tisbury Police responded to a call for a domestic dispute on July 15.
The address listed in the report where the incident took place matches that of the West Tisbury Inn; Bassett is labeled as the owner of the inn on its website.
According to a report, police determined that Bassett was the primary aggressor, and had allegedly thrown a glass of champagne at a victim.
Police reported that they were informed that Bassett owned a gun, which led them to search the residence for firearms and ammunition. Police seized a shotgun, shotgun shells, black powder rounds, a black powder rifle, and other firearm paraphernalia.
The report states that Bassett told police he just found out his marijuana license had expired. After seizing the marijuana and associated equipment, two officers went through the “arduous task of painstakingly separating the leaves from the stalks and branches” to properly weigh the marijuana, which the report states took “the better part of an entire shift.”
Bassett pleaded guilty on Jan. 26 to possessing a 12-gauge shotgun without a firearms identification card, which had expired in 1999, according to the police report.
Other firearm charges were ultimately dismissed, but on Jan. 26, Bassett was ordered by the district court judge to forfeit the gun to the West Tisbury Police Department.
Also on Jan. 26, Bassett was found guilty of violating an abuse prevention order. Later, he also pled guilty to violating an abuse prevention order in a separate case, and was ordered to stay away from and to have no contact with the victim.
A judge also ordered Bassett to complete the Intimate Partner Abuse Education Program, also known as IPAEP.
He was also arraigned twice for alleged assault and battery charges — once against a family or household member — although these counts were dismissed on Jan. 26.
Bassett was not immediately available for comment.
We all make mistakes– But repeated violations of restraining
orders, domestic abuse and unlawful gun possession seems
to be worthy of a closer look.
And then there is the hundred pounds of pot.
I will say that I have legally grown some pot.
I personally don’t indulge, but i give it away to friends and
family. WhAT IS this guy thinking he is going to do with a hundred
pounds of this stuff ? but, then again, go to his facebook page and watch him make face masks disappear,
https://www.facebook.com/keith.bassett.56
That says a lot —
The legal limit for possession in Massachusetts is 10 ounces.
Most of the alleged drug smugglers coming across the southern border will
not come anywhere near carrying a hundred pounds of product.
Don’t get me wrong, i am all for the legalization of marijuana,
but there are and should be rules governing its distribution.
if you are in possession of 150 times the legal limit, I have no
sympathy– he is violating the spirit of the law, and is actually
giving substance to the nut cases who want to keep it illegal
under any circumstance.
And by the way– take those guns and melt them down—
Instead of melting the shotgun, can they auction it off if it’s a really nice one…??
Hi Don, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am not going to comment on the content of this article as much as the bizarre state of affairs about our national cannabis laws. We are in a bumpy phase coming out of prohibition and we probably have another decade before Reefer Madness is finally put to rest. At that point, the concept of carrying around 100 lbs. of something that people can grow in their backyard without worry of helicopter raids will seem silly. One of the unfortunate consequences of our state-by-state patchwork of legalization is that you have isomer distillates like Delta8 and Delta10 extracted from legalized farm hemp and being sold at gas stations, yet these synthetic concentrates are devoid of the spiritual and medicinal benefits that have made cannabis an ally of humanity for millennia. Hopefully these ersatz compounds will find their place in the dustbin of history along with the prohibition laws.
Julian– I had never heard of delta 8 and/or 10 extracts.
I of course looked them up– very interesting in relation
to this article. The sharing of information like this is why
this forum is an asset to the community–
So let me take this opportunity to whine about the
Time’s policy to only allow comments for 7 days
but often don’t post comments for 2 or 3 days.
How’s that for an out of the blue comment, Sam ?
I think you do a great job– I would like it if you did it
a little more often — thanks
Peace Love and Pasta
Don, we all know how MVT should be run.
But we don’t have to make payroll, Sam does.
Thank Abraham, Christ, and Muhammed.
That there descendants continue annihilate one another is confusing.
There is but one true God, we must share, evenly.
Comment moderation is a hard job, down on your hands and knees pulling out the garbage around the fit for consumption.
Hi Don-
Thanks for the kind words. I agree that the sharing of information in a respectful and open-minded way is what makes these forums work. I enjoy reading your comments; even if I don’t agree 100% on every issue, I can understand the reasoning and appreciate the thought behind it. I think the tragedy of our times is that people are losing the ability to listen to people who think differently without getting hysterical and parroting pre-fabricated talking points. Hopefully, we can keep some civil discourse going here.
Leaves, Don, all leaves. There certainly was not 100 pounds, but it was all leaves. And it was for a healing balm I was making for my sick and dying parents. It helps them with their pain, arthritis, and skin sores. I was not found guilty of any violent crime or “abuse”! And my stepfather’s shotgun was in a locked closet in a locked basement. If you need to know, the violation of restraining order was because of an emergency utility problem. There was no harassment or victim! I did my 90 days and am trying to get over the trauma and get back to my good life! It makes me warm and fuzzy to know that there are good, compassionate people like you out there. Thank you.
Let’s ignore the HUNDRED POUNDS of pot for a moment…….let’s that be a whole separate argument. Violating a restraining order and possessing a firearm without a license only gets NINETY DAYS in Dukes county?????
What is the average for a restraining order? Firearm without a permit?
Did you research before you commented?
Don,Thanks to Biden’s crime bill thousands of non white Americans spent long prison sentences for possession of puff. We can all be grateful that times have changed and fellow Americans are no longer rotting in jail over a possessing a weed. Maybe, since you like to incarcerate people you should move to Malaysia and live with people who are in jail for 10 years for having a bag of weed ? That approach seems to work with your intelligence.
Tim– I missed the part in my comment that I like to
incarcerate people. I have “no sympathy” does not equate
to “lock him up”. Perhaps you missed the part where I said
“repeated violations of restraining
orders, domestic abuse and unlawful gun possession seems
to be worthy of a closer look.”
I will say “lock him up” over those charges.
And I agree with you that times have
changed since Richard Nixon declared the war on drugs
https://www.vera.org/news/fifty-years-ago-today-president-nixon-declared-the-war-on-drugs
I have noticed before that “modern” republicans like to
blame Biden for the anti drug abuse act of 1986 which
mandated mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession and
ultimately was used disproportionately against people of
color for decades. Is that what you are talking about ?
The one introduced by senator Robert Dole ?
In 1986 Biden was on board the bipartisan train of
the war on drugs during the middle of the Reagan presidency.
The republican controlled senate of which George Bush the
senior was the senate president passed that bill by a vote of 97-2
The democrat controlled house passed it by a vote of
392 to 16.
It’s true– Biden was one of the 97 senators
who voted for it.
But I wonder why you would specifically blame Biden for this very
popular but misguided law after all these years ?
By the way,
in October of 2022
“the White House issued mass pardons for select marijuana-related offenses. The text of the pardon highlighted the disproportionate rates of Black and brown people incarcerated for marijuana-related crimes despite similar rates of substance use. While the pardons have affected over 6,500 individuals—reducing permanent barriers to housing, job placement, and other benefits—notable limitations reduce the impact of pardons. For example, the president’s pardon authority only extends to federal offenses and does not affect the sheer bulk of individuals with state-level marijuana records. Further, the rule only applies to simple possession charges and doesn’t apply to individuals who may have additional charges related to their conviction.”
Note the part about states.
With the possible exception of Wisconsin, the top 10 states
for arrest for possession of marijuana ( texas at the top of course)
are red states.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2022-10-17/states-with-the-most-arrests-for-marijuana-possession
But to give credit where credit is due , Biden’s
predecessor did grant clemency to 4 people who were
sentenced to either life in prison or 30 years for drug
related crimes.
None of them were convicted for having a “bag of weed”.
He’s referring to the crime bill from 1994. Biden was key to it writing and passage.
R Scott–Maybe we have different sources of
information. On this issue, mine comes from the
congressional record of the U.S.
The 1994 bill you reference was introduced by
jack Brooks (D tx) — no mention of Biden as a co sponsor.
I spent a little time looking at this one, just to know I am
not ignoring you.
Here is the summary of what is in the law.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/3355/all-info
The word marijuana is not mentioned in the summary.
Nor is anything about holding prisoners apparent.
This one passed the senate by a yea vote of 95-4.
So I will ask you to clarify how this law put thousands
of people of color in prison, and how Biden was involved with it.
Simple question- since you guys bring this issue
up and i debunk it can you give me more information.
I’ll even take a right wing nutcase rant about this one.
At least that can give me a starting point to definitively
shut your false claims down. At least try to defend you
position rather than just blurt out radical right misinformation.
Thanks.
Don, was going to offer a rebuttal to Tim, however, your response was much more articulate than mine would have been. Do like that you offer facts.
It’s interesting to me that people will take their friends’ advice over a professional. Docs that aren’t qualified to discuss vaccines in the opinion of some, yet, they buy factory made tires and allow a trained (but 8 years of training?) tech to install the tires and they are willing to drive on them. Or trust eating out at a restaurant? Somebody had to grow that food, process it, transport it, cook it, etc. Who do we believe?
Tim, are you questioning Keller’s mental capacity or his data? Either way, I’ll put my money on Don.
I’d question both before you lose your money.
Many thanks and kudos to you, Don Keller, for immediately setting the record straight for Tim Greer and the readership who may have been unfamiliar with the facts, may have forgotten, or maybe just intend to misinform or disinform!
People who grow pot smoke pot. People who smoke pot daily for “recreational” purposes are medicating themselves. People who habitually use any substances to unwind, relax, or mellow out are substance abusers and have a problem, often coupled with serious anger issues. I’ve seen it in these pages. Habitual substance abusers, especially pot heads with bad memories (cannabis-caused) are a bore. People who deny the dangers of any substance abuse are an immoral menace to teens and kids who copy this irresponsible behavior, as if the island doesn’t have a serious enough alcohol and drug problem. Recreational and habitual pot users who lie about pot being “benign” are liars.
There is a connection between angry men who use pot to “mellow” and partner abuse.
People without a sense of morality when it comes to their illegally selling drugs will often talk themselves into condoning more unethical practices. Pot becomes pills and on and on. Domestic violence is often part of amoral and substance abuse addled lifestyle.
It remains a smear on one’s character, morality, and ethics to sell drugs illegally, whether it’s selling 100 pounds of pot to maintain your life on the island, or selling it by the ounce to put yourself through college when you know it was illegal but use these pages to brag about what you’ve done, ad if that excuses your lack of morals. Selling drugs illegally, whether pot or fentanyl, makes you an unethical person. Period. And if you don’t get the connection between a kid who tries a pill (possibly laced with fentanyl) or smokes a joint from a guy who gives it away you’re the drug problem on the island.
I was not convicted or found guilty of any violent crime or partner abuse. So please, stop fanning the flames of malicious gossip that poisons this Island! Also, your comments on cannabis prove that you know little about the healing benefits that helped make cannabis legal here in Mass. years ago. As a steward I am interested in healing the world using cannabis balms. I do not use cannabis because I am an angry man. I am pretty happy-go-lucky and barely smoke (but I enjoy it when I do!).
Is smoking pot leaves just plain wrong?
Drinking old grapes?
Smoking tobacco leaves?
Drinking coffee bean juice?
Do you have problem selling cannabis by the ounce to put yourself through college, it’s 2024? Is it wrong to brag that you paid for your education by now legal means?
“Recreational and habitual pot users who lie about pot being “benign” are liars.” Source? Personal bias?
There is a connection between angry men who use pot to “mellow” and partner abuse. Source?
If you don’t get the connection when people drink coffee…
As an exercise, let’s substitute alcohol for pot and see how the paragraph reads. Remarkably similar.
As an exercise, look up domestic abuse and how either or both cannabis or alcohol play a role. No one is disagreeing with the medical uses of cannabis. Potheads or drunks who abuse their partners and disregard laws are the issues I am talking about.
A domestic abuse call is why the police were in the home where they found more pot than is legal. And an unlicensed firearm. I don’t gloss over violence to allow for any non-reasons to habitually be unsober by the cheering crowds on the island. There are perfectly legal ways to take care of ailing parents that don’t include calls to police for protection from this so-called care-taker.
And no, I don’t like listening to lies about pot or alcohol as reasons to be a drunk or pothead. Sobriety is the only medicine for these people. What a world when people who smoke their dope or eat their edibles or drink away their senses as a way to pass their limited time on this sweet earth. It’s a waste— and a huge bore to be around or listen to on these pages.
Hi Jackie,
I respect your position of abstinence against mind-altering substances. Every adult with agency and free will eventually comes to a position on the subject. There are several areas where we agree, such as using mind-altering substances to avoid reality or enable irresponsible behavior is wrong. Where we might have some slight variance in perspective is whether there is a threshold for recreational use that doesn’t tip into abuse. These are certainly grounds for respectful discussion.
Julian, I’ve been talking about habitual use— most every day use for “recreational” enjoyment. What a terrible waste to be unable to enjoy life fully or just relax without the use of drugs and their long term effects from habitual use. There are healthier ways to deal with whatever makes a person so uncomfortable inside their skin they need to blunt or cover it with drugs.
If you use cannabis long enough and often enough it makes you unable to learn, unable to focus fully, and has long term negative effects on memory. There are studies proving the damaging, long term effects— and as seen in some comments here that are so of-topic ridiculous, senseless, and unsober. We all know how people sound when they’re high and think they’re having a serious discussion. When they start sounding exactly the same, whether high or straight, the damage has been done. It’s not just kids who stand to be damaged. Habitual, recreational use of pot over years and years is damaging… and obvious to those of us who see it first hand.
“A huge bore to be around or listen to on these pages”
Pot meet kettle…
I have never seen anyone who’s able to defend/discuss weed without involving alcohol, and it never really helps to service their point.
The dangers of alcohol are well known. That’s not to say they’re respected or observed, but there’s no shortage of information out there if we’re being honest. At least those who drink do so while informed.
Weed is still lied about. Frequently. There’s plenty of science to show the downsides. I’ve posted some of it here before, and it’s always ignored by commenters who claim to value long-term studies above all else. Go figure.
Many don’t realize the negative effect marijuana can have on developing brains because its defenders have dedicated so much time to declaring it harmless. This is damaging, especially to teens and young adults.
It’s a straightforward matter of neuroimaging, not a position based on some ancient propaganda. I’ll take science over personal, biased opinion any day.
The best summary of cannabis I ever heard was in HIGH TIMES Magazine in the early 1990s- “It’s not a free ride.” This was in response to the people who had a magical faith in a binary view that alcohol was bad and cannabis was good. It’s not that simple. I am opposed to the heavy use of cannabis by adolescents because of the impact it has on developing brains- it’s like pressing your hands into wet cement and then being stuck with the pattern when it dries. This isn’t emotion- it’s science.
So only the state can sell pot? That’s morally ok? Or is it ok if one pays taxes on it?
We agree on some points, Jackie. One interesting thing that’s not addressed here, which would be fodder for a Philosophy 101 class, is whether the classification of legal vs. illegal makes a drug sale ethical. The Sackler family made a fortune promoting the false narrative that Oxycontin was a safe and non-addictive painkiller. Flash forward and you have opiate overdose deaths in the six figures, the Sacklers have been sued for billions (while stashing enough away to live comfortably for generations), and Purdue Pharmaceuticals filed for bankruptcy in 2019. If one compares the legal sale of oxycontin to the illegal sale of cannabis (depending on the year and state), the devastation caused by a legal drug dwarfs that of the illegal one.
Ok, EVERYBODY is busy arguing the moral ambiguities of possessing BALES of pot…….but no one is mentioning the NINETY DAYS for violations of restraining orders and an illegal GUN POSSESSION charge….. a slap on the wrist for much more concerning charges. (Although….come on
…a HUNDRED pounds??? Isn’t trafficking technically tax evasion now a days?)
Leaves, Brian, it was all leaves. I was making a healing balm for my sick and dying parents. Also, My step Dad’s shotgun was in a locked closet, in a locked basement. Thank you for your compassion. Have you ever spent a night in jail…?
I hear you Keith, and I believe what you are saying.
I was outraged when I read about it, and knew immediately that there must be another side to the story.
Breathe deeply of the spring air, the mosses, the ocean.
Continue caring for your parents, and give them my love.
Maybe write a poem or a monolog about all this, every detail true of course. And read it at Pathways.
This injustice needs an open public discussion and full exposure. Know that there are many of us who feel you’ve been deeply wronged, and soon those who slammed you will realise that they made a snap judgement that turned out be wrong and very hurtful.
Where’s the bud ?
Just checking in with the moderator. I am not allowed to quote a previous comment from a while ago when it contradicts a lie being told on these pages? Why the MV Times wants to play host to liars and hypocrites– about recreational and habitual drug abuse, the illegal sale of cannabis, or antisemitic lies taken from terrorist sources and repeated here– is beyond me. Every time I have specifically pointed out a lie being told with proof, (from the source’s own words on these pages), of the contracticting lie, I am censored. That’s quite some service to the community–
I was NOT charged or convicted of the illegal sale of cannabis! I was making a healing topical balm with trim leaves for my elderly dying parents. Thank you for taking the moral high ground with your comments and opinions.
I was referring to a lie being told by another commenter here.
But by the way, there are legal ways to care for elderly dying parents. I know this from experience. I am sorry they are suffering. Perhaps if there hadn’t been a domestic issue the police would not have been called. Would you like to blame the Times– or me– for your multiple arraignments last year, including allegedly violating an abuse prevention order? You sound like a real prize.
When you own a newspaper you can do as you please.
Who gets to decide what is a lie? You? MVT?
Jackie, you are no more censored many other commenters.
I guessing that the comment rejection rate is somewhere near 40%, depending on the subject matter.
One person’s truth is another person’s lie. See Trump and Biden.
MVT is not the only game in “town”. I have yet to see you make a comment in the VG. Do you find them to be “too” antisemitic?
(In these pages you have accused me of being antisemitic. There is some truth to what you say. Not only am I antisemitic but also antichristian and antimuslim. A true antimonotheist.
They have eradicating each other for 1500 years. I wish them all success.
“Not only am I antisemitic but also antichristian and antimuslim. A true antimonotheist. They have eradicating each other for 1500 years. I wish them all success.”
What kind of hell are we living in when wishing death on the majority of the planet can be part of normal conversation?
When you can casually announce your stance as anti-everything?
Between the domestic abuse issue and this, I don’t know what to say. It’s no wonder so many are depressed, me included.
You won’t find any Pastafarians calling for the death of
someone who has different religious beliefs than they do.
Thank you MV Times for exemplifying the quality of your paper with this hit piece. It’s bad enough that court cases are made public before anyone is found “guilty”. People see the charges and assume your guilt, even after cases are dismissed or resolutions are reached that may prove one’s innocence. I currently take care of my elderly Mother and stepfather, both of whom are basically bed ridden with debilitating illnesses. As a caregiver and steward of the plant, I have been making a healing balm with trim leaves extracted into shae butter and coconut oil. It’s a magical formula that helps with acute pain and skin conditions. The material confiscated by the police was all leaves being used for extraction. The police acted unlawfully by cutting down my current crop that was in vegetative growth and not flowering. They added the weight of fresh leaves to the weight of the dried leaves for their final tally, which is not proper procedure the way the laws are written. The police also confiscated my parent’s healing balm which has caused them much suffering. I was forced into a plea deal because I could not afford another $10,000 in legal fees. The charges based on false allegations were dropped because there was no proof and no victim. And there was no basis for a restraining order, but I had to plead guilty to a violation of a restraining order because there was an emergency with utilities and I needed my check book. No one was harassed. No one was hurt. There was no victim. In fact, I feel victimized after 90 days in jail, and my parents have been victimized and denied medicine that helps alleviate their pain. The gun in question was my stepfather’s who has a valid FID card and was storing it in my locked closet in a locked basement. He formally lived in the house I am currently in and kept the gun in the closet because they do not have a lockable closet in the building they are currently living in. Hopefully this sheds a little light on the truth. The MV Times should focus on serious crime that is affecting this island like the Opioid epidemic and the vast number of crimes that are being dismissed for a certain demographic. I am not confident that the MV Times will start reporting the truth, however.
Did the Gazette get it right?
“vast number of crimes that are being dismissed for a certain demographic”
What is that demographic, inquiring minds want to to know, do tell.
I gotta go with Keith on the vast number of crimes dismissed for a certain demographic. Especially when you see the same names every couple months. It would be nice to know why that is.
What is the demographic? Dare you say it’s name?
Keith got more jail time than Ray Epps for inciting the January 6th Stop the Steal protesters to enter the Capitol . Even with video evidence of Ray urging folks to “storm the Capitol” Ray got no jail time. Unlike hundreds of people who have spent years in jail for far less involvement that day. Keith should have become a brother Mason and charges would have been dropped on a technicality.
Ray Epps is a government informant.
Bassett: You forgot the part about why the cops were there in the first place– you know, when you allegedly threw a glass of champagne at your domestically abused person after you’d broken the order to stay away from them. Alcohol, guns, illegal amounts of dope, and a history of domestic violence. What could possibly go wrong? What a sob story– and this guy wants to nit pick about wet vs dry leaves.
I don’t agree with Mr. Bassett on much. I do have to agree though that it is time that middle of the road white men like ourselves need to start being held more accountable. For over two centuries white men in this country have literally gotten away with murder. Let’s start holding them to the same level of accountability as others who are less fortunate. At least that’s what I hope he means.
Wow easy SJW
Hi Keith-
I’m just jumping in here to comment on the healing power of the cannabis plant. Those of us who lived through the Reefer Madness lunacy of the 20th century might think this plant has always been a scourge of humanity. In reality it has been used for thousands of years as a medicine and sacrament all around the planet, and the notion that it’s only found with beatniks, Cheech and Chong, and hoodlums is a 20th century farce. God bless if you found a way to use its healing powers to help Ed and Linda. I still remember working for them as a high school kid in 1987 and love them both to this day.
Cannabis topicals, including balms, can be legally purchased at some dispensaries. I hope the patients involved are able to obtain what they need that way.
On a separate note, it’s important to say that ancient cultures used what was found in nature, a far cry from many modern forms of the substance. Today’s marketplace includes a bunch of potent, high-THC offerings, the concentrations of which can lead to adverse effects. Minors are showing up in ERs more frequently because of the changes in delivery method and availability.
Increased psychological disturbances are among the issues observed.
Re: My last reply
Julian, I didn’t fully see your earlier comment about concentrates, nor Jackie’s about marijuana potency, until now. When the thread gets long, the screen goes screwy, and I can only read some posts by pasting them into a doc. Been slowly working my way through.
Sorry about my redundant train of thought. I believe, in essence, we’re all saying the same thing on this point. The risks have increased as the industry has added certain varieties.
Should arrests be kept secret?
Should indictments kept secret?
Should court proceedings be kept secret?
Should sentencing be kept secret?
Should the place of incarceration be kept secret?
Should the address of convicted sex offenders be kept secret.
The MVT just published your version of the truth. You chose to not let a jury decide.
You appear to admit to illegal possession of cannabis. The part of the plant is not a factor.
Don, pretty sure the congressional record has Joe Biden as the CO sponsor of the crime bill that locked up thousands of non violent offenders. Look up
S.1241 – Biden-Thurmond Violent Crime Control Act of 1991 .
Let’s not confuse history with anyone’s agenda to distract or gaslight, Don.
Tim– thank you for clarifying which bill you were
talking about. Had you done that initially I would
have debunked your argument even more clearly.
But I don’t hold it against you for wasting my time on
that one.
So to the Biden-Thurmond act of ’91.
let me first point out that Thurmond was a republican.
Another Bipartisan piece of legislation.
Seems sleepy Joe worked across the isle a lot.
I wonder if you actually looked at this bill.
I did
There are plenty of things in there
Just a few examples:
More funding for police –Imagine that–
More funding for treatment centers
Stricter penalties for killing police officers
Disallowing the death penalty for minors and mentally
challenged people
A number of provisions pertaining to terrorism
Provides for more training for police
Establishes guidelines for gun sales and crimes
committed with guns
Created the “boot camp” concept
Imposed more penalties if a child is killed by a drunk driver
Violent crimes against the elderly
Kidnapping by parents
Literary education for federal prisoners
Increased penalties for meth dealers.
and it goes on.
There is one provision that if you twisted hard
enough you might be able to justify your claim.
But that one excludes marijuana under 5 grams.
So Tim, I encourage you to read this piece of
legislation, and tell me which provisions
landed thousands of non violent offenders in jail.
Please cite the specific law.
All i’m asking for is a little actual verifiable
information about what you are talking about.
I ask again– please be specific—Be kind to the mentally
handicapped , as you apparently think I am.
And anyone else wants to read what’s in this
piece of legislation here’s the whole thing:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/senate-bill/1241#:~:text=Biden%2DThurmond%20Violent%20Crime%20Control%20Act%20of%201991%20%2D%20Title%20I,necessary%20in%20FY%201993%20and
And here is a brief summary of everything in it:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/senate-bill/1241/all-info
That one by the way passed the senate with a 71-26 vote.
I also welcome Mr Patterson to be a little more specific
about his erroneous claim about what you were referring to.
I do actually work for a living and can’t track down every
frivolous allegation.
The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7084484/#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20and%20demonstrated%20in%20direct,with%20aggressive%20and%20violent%20behaviors.
“Marijuana use causes violent behavior through increased aggressiveness, paranoia, and personality changes (more suspicious, aggressive, and anger).
Recent illicit and “medical marijuana” (especially grown by care givers for medical marijuana) is of much high potency and more likely to cause violent behavior.
Marijuana use and its adverse effects should be considered in cases of acts of violence as its role is properly assigned to its high association.
Recognize that high potency marijuana is a predictable and preventable cause of tragic violent consequences.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5663469/
“Marijuana use is prevalent among men arrested for domestic violence and some research suggests it is positively associated with IPV perpetration (Moore et al., 2008; Moore & Stuart, 2004; Moore & Stuart, 2005; Testa & Brown, 2015). This research is particularly important for a number of reasons, especially with the increasing legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes in many US states, as it is imperative that public health officials and policy makers have a clear understanding of how marijuana use intersects with other important public health problems, such as IPV. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the association between marijuana use and IPV perpetration among men arrested for domestic violence and court-referred to BIPs, controlling for known IPV risk factors of alcohol use and problems, antisocial personality symptoms, and relationship satisfaction.”
Jackie I agree with you on one point,
“The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves.”
But to your point.
I have found that there is indeed a somewhat
elevated correlation between heavy marijuana
use and domestic violence. But, what is the cause
and what is the symptom ?
In almost every anecdotal case about mass
murderers that your article cites, they have been
known through their social media posts and interviews
(if they survived) that their paranoia is directed at
racial or religious groups. To blame marijuana use for
Dylann Roof’s racism is pretty preposterous.
I would actually posit that the great majority of the
mass murderers mentioned were influenced by
social or commercial media. For instance, a significant
number of people are anti semitic or Islamophobic.
Some also think that people crossing the southern border
are going to “replace us” or “poison our blood” and are
convinced that they commit violent crimes at higher
rates than U.S born citizens. That is proven wrong–
but no matter about the facts–they heard it from someone
or a source they trust.
Some even think the LGBTQ community is some sort of
threat and feel the need to kill them because they are
violating god’s law. Are we to blame a certain religious
book for that ?
But here is another thing about causality.
This one about tattoos
“A new study indicate that both men and women with
permanent tattoos are at a significantly higher risk of
arrest, conviction, and incarceration compared to
those without tattoos,…”
Now, I am cherry picking a line from the study. But
them’s the facts. It could be because the legal system
is biased in some way, just as liberals claim the system
is biased against people of color.
But ask any good right wing conservative why more people
of color are arrested, convicted and incarcerated at higher
rates and they will immediately tell you it’s because they
commit more crimes.
So I ask, does getting a tattoo make you more likely
to commit a crime ? Or do people who are more likely
to commit a crime get tattoos.
And why do they call a certain style of t shirt
“wife beaters” ? Does wearing a certain style of t shirt
cause one to beat their wife ? Or is someone who is more
inclined to beat their wife attracted to that fashion statement.
Don’t get me wrong, i have no problem with people
who have tattoos, wear certain types of clothing or
people who smoke pot.
Just presenting some facts. And an opinion.
Read the links I posted. They were not written by a carpenter. Not surprisingly, the scientific evidence proving the point do not get written by those who made their way through college by selling dope for $40/0unce.
Personal experiences that you have written about in these pages but have apparently forgotten, are not scientific. In fact, they and your opinions prove my point of why a habitual, recreational lack of sobriety is a waste and is terribly damaging to kids who do experiment with drugs and alcohol. I don’t find your wisecracks about domestic violence funny in the least, but I can understand why you think it’s a laughing matter. The more you explain your views, the less sober and ethical they sound.
I sold it for $20 —
A good honest deal.
From MVTimes comment feature in 2021:
“don keller September 3, 2021 At 7:48 pm
This stuff has to be really good at $60 an eighth, or $480 an ounce, with an extra 20% for the governor, bringing the price to about $575 an ounce. Really ? Wow– I paid my way through college selling this stuff for $40 an ounce. It’s a freaking weed, and anyone with a garden or a sheetrock bucket full of dirt can grow this.. .”
I think a reasonable rule of the road in the comment section is to not launch ad homenem attacks against someone based on their vocation. On the Vineyard we are all in the same boat, i.e. we’ve chosen to be here and regardless of whatever profession we have adopted to enable that choice, we’re all equal and deserve to be judged by our minds, hearts and characters, and not what we do. I do agree with you that self-proclaimed experts using their personal anecdotes and bits and pieces off the web that validate them are not to be taken seriously, on or off the island. That’s why I share my experience below (cannabis doesn’t make me or my friends angry and violent) as just that, experience, and not an empirical statement. Don is an excellent carpenter- he built the front porch at my house decades ago and it’s still doing great.
Julian — Thanks for the compliment.
It’s nice to know that my work stands the
test of time.
So I feel moved to throw out a compliment
to Jackie. I have been going to physical
therapy for a shoulder injury.
I like your artwork on display there.
I am 100% against violence in any form, domestic or otherwise. There are studies, and then there’s direct experience. I won’t play Bill Clinton and say “I didn’t inhale….” I’m 52 and have experienced many facets of life, including cannabis. I can’t fathom feeling inclined to hit someone after trying it. If anything, I’m more inclined to be open-minded and gentle. I’m just a case study of one, but among the people I know who enjoy cannabis and aren’t abusing other concurrent substances or dealing with mental disorders, I’m hard-pressed to think of anyone who’s become more abusive as a result of it. It seems we often run into two realities; the reality of Studies (in which we can find separate PhD holders to back up opposite positions) or the reality of lived experience.
Julian, it’s always a mistake to think that everyone else’s experiences match your own. You’re a gentle person. Not everyone is. Experience counts for a lot, except when it doesn’t. There are as many realties are there are people.
Jackie-
No argument there that a test subject of one does not a conclusion make.
Clothing is not causative. It cannot enter the body and directly influence the mind’s chemistry, affecting behavior.
Drugs can. Drugs do.
Don, interesting comment. Let start with the tattoo example. One could argue that people who get tattoo’s are not using the best judgement and those with poor judgement commit more crimes. It would be interesting to see what crimes were committed by those sporting face tatoos and bull rings through their nose.
Your comment about people coming in from the southern border are not committing more crimes than citizens is disingenuous because crime stats lag for over a year so that can’t be proven one way or the other. In addition if those who are caught entering this country illegally and let’s just use the got aways for this example then that act alone will prove that people entering this country commit more crimes. I’m not talking about asylum seekers just those who walk in and disappear. But having a LE background I am willing to go out on a limb and say when the crime stats catch up to todays date it will be shown that statistically those entering our country illegally are committing more crimes than naturalized citizens.
I also have to opine on your comment alluding to an unjust criminal justice system. The Newark police department is comprised of 49.9% minority officers and there is no difference in arrest statistics between white officers and minority officers. In addition the Essex County criminal jury hearing cases has at least six minorities on the jury according to the Office of Administrator of Courts. And the Essex County Prosecutor Office has more minorities working there than any time in history. Guess what, their conviction rate is getting better each year. More arrest by minority officers more prosecutions by minority prosecutors and more minorities finding people guilty. So what will the liberal white mans answer to this be? I would just implore anyone who comments about crime to walk the streets of New York, Newark and Chicago before commenting. Circuit Ave ain’t Times Square and MV isn’t really experiencing the real world problems. We see how they dealt with a few migrants just packed them up and shipped them off. I get it because the vineyard doesn’t have the resources.
I’m a great friend of Keith and I’ve been renting a room out at the inn for 2 years and nothing but generosity and respect I get from Keith. He’s gives respect to all that he encounters, love and support for his family. I’ve met his parents and they are kind and sweet people and no man would put them in any situation that was jeopardizing. These allegations hold no weight. If he was guilty on any of these charges he would be ball and chain in Walpole. Marijuana is the complete opposite of “aggressive man wanting to mellow out” It benefits can help cancer patients increase their appetite and decrease anxiety in people dealing with PTSD. Keith is a great guy and he’ll give you his shirt off his back for you. Don’t let assumptions ruin this community’s love and appreciation for one another, we have to do better.
Incorrect info re PTSD.
No one is debating the medical advantages for some illnesses when used properly. Cannabis is not appropriate for all illnesses. In fact, it can cause psychosis for some suffering PTSD.
How does anyone get multiple arraignments in one year for domestic violence?
I cannot believe these comments!
Hi Jackie, I want to pull out a statement you made : “ cannabis is not appropriate for all illnesses.” Even though we don’t agree 100% of the time on everything, I think you are spot on here. When legal cannabis did not turn into the mega blockbuster investors were expecting, just a mere blockbuster, the industry began suggesting CBD or cannabis was a cure for everything under the sun, from intimacy issues and insomnia to skin rejuvenation. This marketing cash grab has muddied the waters in terms of what the actual benefits are.
Yes, Julian, we agree. It’s easy enough to lead gullible people by their noses. They believe what they’re manipulated to believe. Look at the people listening to Hamas terrorist sources about “genocide”.
Jackie– You know that the world is watching the
situation in Gaza. Do you read any news except
Israeli propaganda ? You criticized me recently
for pointing out that there could be other reasons
for your study about Marijuana use and domestic
violence. I accepted the studies conclusions
but had other thoughts about it. I have no
idea where you cam up with the “wisecracks” comment.
But it seems remarkable you think that the U.N, the
WHO, virtually every leader of every country in the
world, every non government organization, every
news agency, doctors without borders, and countless
thousands of charitable and aid organizations around
the world are all mouthpieces for hamas.
I don’t read anything from hamas– but I do read
the assessments of the situation from multiple
credible sources. Your ridiculous point that the only
information the world is getting is from hamas
is insulting to anyone who is paying attention.
You apparently are not.
Forget the genocide– a word that you frequently
use, which I do not, how about “war crimes”
would you care to defend those ?
Is everyone and everything I mentioned above
just a bunch of anti-semitic liars?
Give it a break, Jackie– The whole world is
watching, and they don’t approve.
It’s actually quite common.
This is the United States of America.
Can you believe it?
Before pot there was no male violence.
Guys just drank and chilled…
You haven’t lived there for 2 years because I lived there all last winter and knew the other 2 men living there.
Jackie– I read the links, and commented on them.
Since you keep bringing up my drug dealing days,
let me address that. Like many young people in the
60’s and 70’s I used and it certainly could be argued
that I abused drugs. I Did pot, hash, barbiturates,
amphetamines ( never meth) and a lot of hallucinogenic
drugs of various flavors. I never did heroin or some
of the drugs that I deemed more dangerous.
And I did that for about 10 years.
Every day.
I never killed or injured anyone, never had any inclination
towards violence as a solution to any problem.
And I sold a lot of the stuff– If you want to talk
about morality, I never sold anything I did not
partake in, and I always gave my clients an honest
deal. No one I sold anything to died or assaulted anyone.
And I got through a few years of college (no degrees)
with a paltry subsidy from the GI bill ( I am an honorably
discharged veteran of the navy) no loans , no parental help.
AND — here I sit in my “average Vineyard house” articulate
enough to take you and your lies on in what i consider
to be a much more civil manner than you do.
So, Here I am– I didn’t need any help to quit drugs,
although I understand some people do and I support
programs that help them. I worked with troubled
teenagers with all sorts of substance abuse issues
and other problems — some of whom I keep
in contact with after 35 years to this day.
You are wrong with your comment that anyone who
grows marijuana smokes marijuana. I am the
anecdotal proof. You throw out an unsubstantiated
lie, implying that i indulge in marijuana, As if you
know that for sure–You don’t Jackie– you are
just throwing slanderous drivel towards groups of
people or individuals you may or may not hate.
You have that right. I, and we as a society value
freedom of opinion and your right to express it–
even if it’s wrong.
I understand that– I’m a liberal.
I did a lot
of hallucinogens at a young age. i am MUCH better
off for it —
How about you read Michael Pollan’s book
“how to change your mind” ?
https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/
It’s not all immoral and the damnation that you think.
I am not advocating for young people to abuse
drugs or sell them.
But your sanctimonious proclamations about the
evils of drugs and the inevitable road to hell are
way off the mark.
People are different, Jackie–
And let me reaffirm, I never felt any immorality
about the drugs i was selling– Let me be clear
about that. And I have no remorse or regret.
Do you think the people who
work in weapons factories fell “immoral”
because the weapons they are producing
will kill innocent children while they sleep?
You know, with the Oppenheimer movie raising
awareness about the morality of the weapons we
create and or use, how we use them, and the number
of people who
worked on the Manhattan project apparently
regret it or feel guilt ,we as a society
are starting to question the wanton
destruction of cities, societies and cultures.
And let me remind you, that my father was a POW in
Japan on aug 6 1945.
As I came into maturity, we certainly debated the
morality of that decision.
Even he agreed, the complete annihilation of
a society is never “moral”. He, after all, was
very aware of the genocide that was occuring in
Europe at the time. That is why he went to war.
It’s never right or moral to annihilate a society and
starve them to death.
if you think you know what i am talking
about , you do.
“I never felt any immorality about the drugs I was selling…and I have no remorse or regret.”
~Don Keller
If my father went to war to save a people from erasure, I would rightfully assume that he respected and valued their humanity.
I’d also assume that he’d be utterly, thoroughly ashamed of me, were I to grew up and reduce this same group to none better than frothing [insert list of bigoted insults here].
Especially at a time when lemmings the world over are calling for more violence against Jews.
Especially after this long-persecuted community endured a massacre, with the promise of endless suffering to come at the hands of those terrorists.
I think many WWII vets would be destroyed to witness the antisemitism flowing through America right now, both on the streets and within our institutions.
It is a disgrace to perpetuate the Jew-hatred they fought so hard to counter.
Facts …
Per his lawyer in court last year Bassett had a previous domestic with ex-wife, previous domestic with a child and July was his third domestic.
When he violated the July Order he evaded police hiding in woods by the West Tis Inn for five hours till his arrest. They had a drone up in the air looking for him.
December 4th an order of protection was granted to a victim and is currently in effect against Bassett. He was put on GPS and a week’s home confinement and in less than a week assaulted another person (his own cousin who called the police on him) whereby he was re-arrested and incarcerated. Cousin was too afraid to get order of protection.