The main purpose of mandatory punishment for drugs is to prevent illegal trafficking. The irreversibility of punishment should positively influence the state’s fight against drug traffickers and drug cartels. Show trials that emphasize the radical policy of the state about drugs make sense, but often it goes beyond the law. The case of Chris Williams from Montana has become one of the most resonant and controversial because of the severity of the punishment and the unfairness of the situation.
Williams’ trial in 2011 was the result of state raids as part of the fight against drug trafficking. This process is notable because the accused was engaged in the cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes, which was legalized by the state of Montana in 2004. The court initially imposed the death penalty of 90 years in prison because of the refusal to cooperate. After the verdict, Chris Williams made concessions with the investigation, which reduced his sentence to 5 years if he did not appeal. Mandatory minimum punishment will not affect the distribution of drugs but will only encourage them to do it even more (Jay et al., 2020). A minimum sentence for drug trafficking will not force convicts to abandon their ideas and only strengthen the distribution network of substances.
Drug policy needs serious reforms that should affect the reduction of drug distribution. It is necessary to revise the measure of restraint and make it more adequate and fair. Additionally, each case needs to be studied more thoroughly with the involvement of a jury to avoid speculation. If a person was caught in violation of the law for the first time, the prison term should be replaced by correctional labor and rehabilitation courses. For this measure to be effective, it is necessary to monitor the convicts for a year to ensure effective punishment. It is essential to consider the peculiarities of state legislation, the attitude to the manufacture of medical drugs, and the proper amount each resident can have.
Reference
Jay, A. H., Alyssa, B., & Allan, M. B. (2020). A history of prescription drug monitoring programs in the United States: Political appeal and public health efficacy. American journal of public health, 110(8), 1191-1197.