Leawood father turns in son for pot

A Leawood father who heard his teen-aged son on the phone last night making what the father thought was a drug deal called police to turn him in, police said.
Leawood police Maj. John Meier gave this account:
"The father said, 'I think he may be having some drugs delivered to the house. I want to give you permission to search my house and if you see a car leaving, stop it.'
"Somebody did deliver the kid some drugs, we stopped the car in the 10200 block (of Ensley Lane), the person that had been at the house. Then we searched the house and found some drugs."
The major added: "I don't want to make it more dramatic than it is."
(Agreed here)
"I'm sure it was a very small amount of marijuana, something like that," he said.
Today's Leawood police activity report  lists two arrests in connection with the incident.
The report also lists a disturbance - A woman business manager who asked police to stand by as she fired an employee.

Comments

[Micah]

Its no wonder that on a daily basis allmost you find stories where kids kill their parents. After reading this story I no longer have to wonder why. It is amazing to me that in todays society that parents are so quick to turn to the government to take control of their kids. Doesn't anyone believe in personal responsibility any more? This guy is a COWARD, end of disscussion. We live in society were we have now elected two addmitted drug users to the highest office in our counrty, we have 11 states that have accepted marijuana as part of society and guess what no one is running around killing people over it dispite the right wing attempt to scare citizens into thinking it will. Its all a lie and the govt. is wasting taxpayers money to "fight the war on drugs" yet study after study shows that it doesnt' stop anything but 1% of drug use, thats outrageous, just leagelize drugs and stop wasteing MY money!

[Brian]

Ridiculous...

Glad that my dad and I were always able to talk about things, and have a great relationship to this day. My daughter and I have had frank discussions regarding lifestyle choices since she was old enough to understand what sex and drugs are.

I neither need, nor want the government to do my job as a parent. I D.A.R.E others to step up and do the same.

Please stop legislating morality...

Might I add, Free the Green?

[Adam Kinzer]

Congratulations should go out to this father. Kids have no fear of the law and this father held his child accountable. I wish more parents would have the character to follow in this parents footsteps.

[Rob Wilson]

What a sad life for this kid when a father turns his back on you. This is the parents fault for not educating their kid about the dangers of drugs. This father failed and instead of owning up and accepting responsibility he puts the blame on his son. This is textbook example of BAD parenting.

[Jim]

The father is not a coward. He embarked upon his own "Profile in Courage" to alert police about his son's illegal drug purchase. Who knows what additional facts might exist regarding ongoing efforts to educate his son or counsel him. I especially endorse his efforts to enable the police to apprehend the "pusher" selling drugs to his son. Problems may exist but there is love seeking a solution.

[Chuck Munson]

What a stupid father? What kind of family member turns their loved one over to the authorities and the state for enjoying a drug that everybody knows should be legalized? At least there are some of us here in Leawood who are for drugs and are against the stupid police.

[Don]

To the simple thinkers of lame "dad is wrong posts". Stop and think for a minute. Do you actually believe this is the only trouble this man has had with his son. I am of the belief that it was the straw that broke the camel's back. Hat's off to the narrow minded ,quick to judge, because it's easier than doing research, following up,or doing bsckground work . What a waste of time. Your quality time consists of stabilizing your obesity by eating massive amounts of fast food and sueing Micky Ds for making you eat Big Macs at gunpoint.

[Anonymous]

Wait until the Dad has his house ceased! He'll think twice about calling the police.

[arthur]

I just wonder if the parent realizes the pitfalls of entering his son in the criminal justice system, especially for a drug offense. Example: Now children can be excluded from the Gov. Student Loan Program for drug offenses. I hope he has money to pay for his childs college. Don't cut your nose off to spite your face SuperDad.

When's the last time a stoned person robbed you. When's the past time a stoned person ran you off the road. When's the last time a stoned person shot you for your money. When's the last time a stoned person did anything at all that affected you -- and don't say they're a burdon on society due to their addiction. It's a medically undesputed fact that pot is less addictive than caffine and not even close to the addictive level of alcohol. There are no dangerous back streets filled with potheads -- people need to wake up and realize this. The worst thing pot will do to your child is screw up his study habbits and make him chubby from eating too much junk food -- so unless you're so inept that you cannot monitor your child's study habbits and make them take school and potentially their own health seriously, what kind of parent are you -- that's like your primary responsibility. Throwing the kid in jail is only going to prove three things: They can't trust you, you can't parent, and you know nothing about pot. Perhaps you should read the government's actual fact sheet on pot -- the only long term affects of weed that have ever been proven are those that are similar to smoking. You might as well throw your kid in jail for lighting up a pack of cigs.

[Beth]

What that father was made to do by his son is called "tough love". This father obviously loves his son very much and only wants whats best for his son and is trying to get him the help that he needs. Too bad more parents don't give their kids the loving help that they need.

[Keystone]

Congrats to the father! Finally, a man with the balls to whip that boy into shape. Glad they took the dealer down too. I can't believe the idiots who a)think that "it's just pot" and b)he's gonna get his. maybe he's already had it.

Yeah, pot should be legal, but it's NOT. So quit blaming your problems on the police, they are only doing their job. I agree that this dad was probably fed up after dealing with other problems. Sometimes you have to show your kid how it is in the real world - you can't shelter them forever.

[BT]

So everyone that is siding with the father here is saying that they'd do the same thing if their child was in this situation? That's ridiculous. If the father had any "balls" at all he would have handled this himself and not turned his own child over to the police. Good luck to that father in having his boy respond to him ever again.

And what does eating fast food and suing McDonald's have to do with any of this?

[Mark]

Did anyone notice that the Police Major seemed disappointed in the father's actions? He even said, "I'm sure it was a very small amount of marijuana," and, "I don't want to make a bigger deal out of it then it is." To me, it seems as if this were just a kid calling his friend to bring him over some pot. Should kids smoke pot? No! But come on! Calling the cops when you find out your son smokes pot?? The father made is seem like there was a HUGE drug deal going down, not high school kids sharing pot with each other. And from the posts, I see many people feel the same way as the dad. Its a shame that this father decided to take this action. These kids will now have problems for life. A different response could've produced an entirely more effective outcome. I just hope that the Leawood police do not go all out in prosecuting these kids. Teach them a lesson without ruining the rest of their lives....

[T]

Congrats to the Father??? .......... What he did is comparable to loosing the Super Bowl. This situation should have been handled "In house". He should have confronted his son, and handled the situation as any good parent would. Yet, instead .......... we are reading about it on the Kansas City Star. Enough said. Congrats to the winner of "Worst father of the year".

[Lea]

Doesn't it matter to anyone that at least he got one dealer off of the streets? Who knows what else that scum could have been peddling? I'm sorry that his son had to go down too for this, but he knew that pot is illegal.

[BT]

This happened in Leawood, and I'm sure this "dealer" isn't a hardened criminal or even "scum" as the previous poster claims. Probably a friend from school of the kid. People, I can't believe you are justifying the Father's actions, he's getting his own child arrested for a small amount of grass. It's not like this kid's hiding bodies under his dad's porch.

[Kansouri]

"Wait until the Dad has his house *ceased*"

"What he did is comparable to *loosing* the Super Bowl"

Idiots can't spell, aren't informed and how the H-E-double hockey pucks does throwing your kid in jail compare to the LOSING the Super Bowl. Get a life if you think a game is anywhere near as important as the life of a child.

It wasn't a "dealer" he got off the streets. It was just one of the kids' friends coming over bringing pot with him. Pathetic display of parenting. At least try to understand kids AND become educated about drugs before you jump to a conclusion about something like that....

[ted]

I've decided that this father is so good and set such a good example that I now want to spread this around. I now want to turn in all of the people who are stealing from hotels, by using a different company name to get a lower price than they should normally get. I'm turning in all of the under the table cash payments for "favors" done. I want to sue every company that puts a "sale" sign on an item that is not actually marked down from it's previous price. I want "tough love" all around.

[Joe]

This happened in LEAWOOD?????????????

OMG, I am shocked and apalled that a Leawood-ite would do such a thing - and drugs in Johnson County? - why I thought they were perfect; that this stuff does not happen "there".

[Jerametrius]

OMFG THATS CRAZY
LIKE OMG!!!!

[Truth]

-To Chuck Munson, who is so sure that the words I'm sharing are no more important than cat $#!% in sewage water, thanks Chuck!
So I'm at school today hundreds of miles from your town and I hear about this and laugh. For all those who see this father as a hero, I assume your brain cells have deteriorated to such a level everything logical has become incomprehensible. The same goes for Super Dad who was scared to confront his son about a substance far weaker than even alcohol itself! This plant happens to be illegal while -17SEVENTEEN17- FDA approved prescription drugs have KILLED JUST OVER 10,000 people. Pot is suspected of killing a horrendous amount of people numbering in at, well it saddens me to say this, but a whole 8 people. This is a record from 1/1/97 to 6/30/05 regarding FDA drugs and weed. That's one death for each year. 1,000,000 million people will die from prescription drugs in the following hundred years unless we come to our senses. I'm not supporting drugs, I am supporting Cannabis use, because chances are slim to none of there being an upcoming 100 cases. Things are looking good, considering six of the mutilated corpses(sense the sarcasm) noted pot as a secondary suspect to the death. For all those incapable of doing the good ole in and out, take Viagra, maybe you could be number 3,000, hurry though, last time I did research for this type of subject it said it was around 2,500 deaths. I really do apologize, I was a lot nicer than I'd like to be, so I must follow up with an evil remark, I hope you go to HEAVEN when you die, I'll look forward to either meeting you there or waiting, however God sees it. Take it how you want it, but that last sentence was typed with utmost sincerity.

-DAVID THOMAS KAVANAGH-
FIND ME, KILL ME
I'LL GO DOWN SMOKING,
a cigarette, don't call the police, daddy nooooooooooooooo!!!!

Just let the father do what he thinks is right for HIS family. Why does everybody have to have a solution to other peoples issues. Mind your own business.

[BR]

Unbelieveable! Typical liberal reaction to paint the son as the victim rather than the criminal that he is! As usual, they never expect to take personal responsibility. Unfortunately for all of you burnouts, pot IS illegal, so save the ridiculous "legalize pot" slogans. Kudos to the dad! If the son has an ounce of sense he will some day thank him.

By the way, congratulations to all the stoners who managed to out the bong down long enough to post. What a hilarious sight that must have been. Probably took two hours and a box of twinkies to get it done. Duuude.

[John]

Wow at all the stupidity that comes out over this story. I would like to say that unless you know what this family has been through you should shut up about bad parenting. As far as when was the last time a "stoned person" ran somebody off the road or robbed somebody I can testify to the fact that it does happen. I have been there and regardless of what you "know", I have driven under the influence of pot and alcohol. They both affect the driving, only in diferent ways. And in many of your gang crimes the use of marijuanna is present. I know that from working with gang members. Does it make you committ the crime, probably not, but it affects you and I am sure there are cases of somebody robbing to buy marijuanna just like crack or cigarettes, ect... You can tell yourself all you want that it is a harmless activity, but I know from first hand experience its not. But, I will not judge this father for what he had to do, because unlike many of you I do not have all the facts. And it is sad that our society has gotten to this stage but it is now a place where you are not allowed to punish children or you are an abuser. The problem here in this story is not the father or the son for that matter but the society. The more we tolerate and accept, the more we give up.

it obvious that alot of posters here smoke pot, so who cares about there opinion here

sorry, I meant it is obvious

By the way, John, great post, most people who argue that pot is a harmless drug are smoking it and have no clue about the true effects, like what it does to the emotional maturing process in young people. As for the first post in response to the story, the reason more kids are killing there parents is they do not know how to deal with reality and therefore take actions that you would only take in a fantasy land. Then they wake up in prison for the rest of there lives. Also, I betcha most of the kids who kill parents are ON DRUGS. I am really glad my father at one point had the courage to get involved and help stop my self destructive behavior. A part of that was calling the police on me years ago. Now with a great life, great stuff and a great wife I am forever gratefull. I could have ended up in my twenties(like I am now) in my parents basement, smoking pot and eating cheetos like most people who's comments I have read here.

[Tracee]

As to your efforts to paint pot as anything remotely like causing people to rob for it, causing women to sell thier bodies for it, and causing folks to kill for it... ...I say, get yourself educated, and quit spouting the same old, TIRED UNFOUNDED rhetoric you hear from your illustrious gov't. I am an enjoyer of the green, and also a 4.0 college student. I am sure I'm not the only one, either. There are many web sites which you can turn to for TRUE information on marijuana, so educate yourselves before... ...well, see above.

I bet this Family was and is having battles within the family itself! Why in the world would ANY PARENT turn thier own KID in for ANYTHING ( besides FELONS ), WHY?

Its stupid, Doesnt this father know that it is HIM that is going to PAY THE FINES, the COURT COST, THE LAWYER FEES? Its not the CHILD!

It would of been alot easier just to ACT LIKE A PARENT and take a PARENT ROLE and CONFRONT YOUR KID, instead this COWARD took the COWARDS ROUTE and asked someone else ( the police ) to PARENT his CHILD!

UN BEEE LEEEEEEEVVEEEE ABLEEEEEE

THIS PARENT SHOULD NEVER be PATTED ON THE BACK, nor PRAISED. He should be given a DOSE OF REALITY PILL, followed by a SHOT of PARENT BOLDNESS, and then, MAYBE he could of been a DAD!

pitttifffulllll!

I tend to believe marijuana should be legalized, but so long as the law is what it is, I think it's better for this young man to be held accountable now rather than later when he is no longer a juvenile.

Its not a question of him being held accountable or not, FOR he should be.

Its a question to WHOM he should be accountable to ( besides himself ), and that my friend would be his FATHER, the one that couldnt PARENT, BE A DAD and most of all be the ONE that his SON should be ACCOUNTABLE TO!

[Deacon John]

Things like this make me so happy that I moved away from Leawood just as soon as I could.

First, I have a Master's Degree in Health Sciences and Policy and the data all points towards the idea that grass is a remarkably beneficial medical tool. Weighed against its few harms (increased risk of lung cancer, emotional dependence on the level of chocolate) there is no reason it should not be legalized, even for recreational use. The only reason grass is "bad" is because folks say it is.

Second, I have a law degree and can see the argument of the "against the law, syhutttup" crowd. This probably applies to "dealer" kid. The dad probably acted appropriately (or at least in the realm of the reasonably) - the dad is anti-illegal drug for his kid, some guy was delivering illegal drugs to his home, and the kid took the risk that he would be caught.

But as for his own seed, having him arrested in his own home, this guy deserves deserves to be tied to one of my "Deacon John's Special Intelligent Designin' Johnson County Crosses" and have his son smash his nuts with a spiked bat so that he can spawn no more offspring to betray. Not counting the obstacles that will be thrown up in his son's life (there are a great number of regulated professions and jobs that will make his son disclose this arrest even as a minor), can you imagine what this poor kid - still in the developing stages of life - is going to think about human nature? Can you imagine him ever trusting anyone again?

With an already perverse Leawood upbringing and a Judas dad, we have done bred ourselves another fine American!

Lets skip forward ten years. Now here is another grown man flipping hamburgers for a living because he couldnt get a good high paying job all because his dad turned him in for a little weed. This dad probably voted for Bush too.

[Tom]

Are people REALLY that stupid to judge this father when they have NO IDEA of the history. I guess THAT's a stupid question in itself because, obviously, they are!

Yes - if the kid was a pretty good kid and this was a first time - I would disagree with what the father did. But MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, he had gone round and round with this kid about using and had done everything he thought he could to stop it. In that case, I would do exactly what he did.

As far as the government taking over a parent's job... I was a D.A.R.E. Officer for 4 years. Within two classes, I could tell which kids had severely dysfunctional families. Not just divorce but severe dysfunction (parent in jail, parents using, abuse). In those cases, SOMEBODY had to take over for the parents. I took many kids under my wings and spent extra time with them to attempt to show them that they had someone to talk to - someone who cared about them and what they could do in life. They weren't getting any direction (or even care) at home.

I was actually present in a meeting with the Principal, Teacher, Counselor, Parent (who I had arrested for DUI (with a 2 year-old in the car), and the child, a 12 year-old buy. The child was not doing ANY homework whatsoever and would only come to school 3 days-a-week on average. I told the parent that I would contact SRS if I didn't see some improvement. The parent (RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CHILD) told me, "I wish you would because I don't want him". I took him home with me that night and contacted SRS the following day. SRS told me that they would return the child to his mother and work with her on parenting skills. I was not in a position to take care of him full time so I had no choice but to return him to his mother. And YOU think SOMEONE doesn't need to step in and intervene??? Last I heard, the child (now about 22) was in prison in Texas (I don't know what for).

You have to take a test and get a license to drive a car. You have to get a license to get married. But they let anybody have a child. And some people just have no business doing that!

[Trevor Pippitt]

The information given in this story is limited at best. Without any previous knowledge of the sons or fathers behavior, who can judge either one for the decisions that were made. If there is one fact that can be assumed with near-complete certainty, it is that the son knew that marajuana is illegal and likely understood the consequences of his actions. FYI: if some people chose to belittle others with correcting spelling errors, I believe the saying is H-E-Double-Hockey "Sticks"...not Hockey "pucks."

These brain-less goofs have no clue about the realities of drug use. Drug dependence is a real issue no matter what drug is abused. Marijuania, heroin, cocaine, whatever....These drugs are all bad. Wake up people. Try to imagine a society that is totally drug-free. You can't. It will never happen. And that's unfortunate. But giving up and giving "in" are not the answers. Parents should not give up, if turning the kids in for pot is what they have to do to keep these young people from becoming problems to society than they should do it. Get kids off drugs any way you can!

[BR]

We can't judge this father in a vacuum. We don't know the history of his sons behavior. If I were the father of this boy, and this was my first inkling that he was getting high I wouldn't have called the police on him but I would have come down on him very hard. If the other boy was truly bringing a significant amount of dope, then no question, they both go downtown.

People like Deacon John and the legalize dope crowd wonder why they aren't taken seriously and why it isn't legal. I'm pretty sure the rant about castrating the father isn't going to persuade anyone. Maybe try cutting off your gray ponytail, take off your tie dyed t-shirt and get up before noon and take a shower once in a while.

These people would have you believe that this is just a harmless activity that is no ones business but their own. But they also acknowledge that there are health ramifications to this as well. Does our already overburdened health system need to add who knows how many legal pot smokers to it? Marijuana smoke has many more harmful ingredients than cigarette smoke. To just open the floodgates in this manner would be irresponsible.

As a former heavy user (an ounce a week, sometimes more) I can attest to many negative side effects. Lethargy, lack of motivation, weight gain, depression. While I was using, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and eagerly looked forward to my next bowl. I also would have made many of the lame arguments for its use that I've seen here. However, now that I have several years between me and my last toke, I regret all the time I wasted in that dazed and confused fog. Those of you smoking, you deserve better for yourselves.

By the way I am a proud resident of Johnson County and make no apologies for the success and affluence of many of its residents. Try it, you might like it!

[Brian]

I am a legal professional that smokes. You people comparing pot to crack are morons. I work every day...early, all day, and do my job well. I do not sleep til' noon and wear tye dye. I have a beautiful, healthy daughter, a great wife, and a great house. Pot has never caused me any problems and it never will. It's a perfectly harmless recreational drug that will be legalized in time. It is less addicitve that alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeine. Deal with it.

[Parent who care's]

I comment the Father for doing what he thought was right. After all pot can lead to harder drugs. He was only thinking of his son and doing the right thing, and he got the other person too, which means there is one less person saleing drugs. Who know's one day his son could have been 6' under over this crap. He saved his son's life. I would have done the same thing.
After all, had the cops been watching his house at a later date over this, the Father could have lost his home for good. So yes the Father did the right thing, after all the Father is the one who has worked his behind off to get where he is now and isn't and doesn't want anyone to take it away from him or his family. Hell yes he did the right thing.

So for all you Pot Head's out there get a life and get off drugs. You will be better off in the long run. Work and make a life for yourselves, Don't be a druggy all your life and expect other kids to buy from you.

That's whats wrong with this world now Parents dont get into there childrens lives like they should.

Yes I think it is wrong for when a parent slaps there child and the child call the police, kids aren't anything like when we were growning up. We worked and was to tried to get in trouble.

SO GET OFF THE FATHER'S BUTT HE DID THE RIGHT THING.

And it never will, I would like to hear from you in ten years. Sure, there are plenty of affluent people who smoke pot and do other drugs. If financial success is the only thing someone is after, drugs in some cases will not get in the way of that(most nba players) but as far as quality of life and real relationships and true happiness, I just dont buy it. By the way, I wonder how many people against this dad are liberals? I bet 95% so there opinions should only count half.

[BT]

In response to the previous poster, I am not a liberal by any means and I am against the father. I can't believe so many of you are ready to call the cops on their own kids for something so small. Also, your comment about liberal's opinions only counting half, that's real open-minded, why don't you post some more, so I can laugh at you some more.

If even the Leawood Police thought this was an insignificant arrest, then it really must have been. These are the guys that need two backup cars to pull someone over for speeding.

Is there some kind of spell check on here? Needs to be.

[Scott Unruh]

Called the cops?!!! His child orders some pot and a helpless father calls the cops? No wonder the kid needed to be medicated with a worthless excuse of a parent like that. This age of "Bush" is wearing down any sense America has of dignity.

[Ron]

To all the ones who say pot should be legalized. ok maybe it should and maybe not. But please do not say that it is not used in crimes. Like a previous poster said that people do use it before commiting a crime. to the one who lives in jo with a family and is successfull . How successfull are you ??? And how successfull could you be if did not smoke pot. As of this time it is illegal that is all to it. If this is the first run in the dad with the kid then yes it is way too much he should have handled it in house. But if he had problems before maybe he thought that this was the only way to go. but after readying some of these posts maybe the kid read em somewhere else and thought " hey everyone else is getting high why not me."

[puredotte]

This Leawood father has four other teenagers. He stated other interventions did not work with this child. He did what he said was going to do and did the right thing. Maybe it is just shocking for some that a JoCo daddy would actuallylet his child pay them consequences instead of buying him out of problems, sending him to a shrink, and shipping him off to private school. Welcome to reality, Junior. Nolo comprende?

[puredotte]

What this father did is actually very inspiring, to open himself, his home up to scrutiny instead of "throwing money" at a problem. A good example for effective crime prevention. Right is right, wrong is wrong and he has been trying to teach his child the difference between the two, instead of purchasing some "expensive bandaid to get junior a dismissal in drug court, a shrink, and allowing junior son to essentially become a one-brain cell weed head living off his family or somebody else for the rest of his life, carrying 'honk for hemp' signs in his 50's. No, this is effective crime prevention instead of an expensive cover-up. What a great dad, wish we had more like 'em.

[45ACP]

Friday, the 13th? It must be Bush's fault, eh? Or your father's? Or perhaps it's due to the redundancy demonstrated by Leawood LEOs?

LMAO with all you trackin' back bozos. Hey! Y'all avoid black cats and walking beneath ladders today.

[Deacon John]

Oh Dear - Thou hast called out Deacon John:

"People like Deacon John and the legalize dope crowd wonder why they aren't taken seriously and why it isn't legal."

Then bescribed:

"As a former heavy user (an ounce a week, sometimes more) I can attest to many negative side effects. Lethargy, lack of motivation, weight gain, depression. While I was using, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and eagerly looked forward to my next bowl. I also would have made many of the lame arguments for its use that I've seen here."

I have consulted the scriptures my child and they have told me these problems are because thou are a weight-challenged insecure loser in life (any reference to one's own affluence clearly betrays a lack thereof.) Furthermore, we all hazard to guess your problems, ostensibly caused by 'toking', stem from something completely F'd you father did to you as a kid (like get you arrested in your home for a morally ambiguous crime).

The Deacon has spoken.

I initially thought that the father was being ridiculous when he called, but I agree that we really don't have enough information to make a judgement. The Leawood police's response makes me think though, that the father severely overreacted. They didn't seem too concerned about it so I doubt it was a significant problem. That said, I really have no clue about it so I won't make any judgements.

And to those who are labeling people who smoke pot as "living in their parent's basement, eating twinkies," please stop judging people. Unless you have some experience or first-hand knowledge about marijuana, don't make judgements and accusations about others. Remember, our last president admitted to smoking marijuana and our current president used cocaine, a far more dangerous drug. Yet neither man was held back by thing they did when they were younger. But what would've happened if their fathers turned them in to police? I can guarantee you that if that happened, neither would've reached the presidency. And while maybe that would've been a good thing, the world as we know would be completely different if this had occurred. In the least, for sure this young man will not be able to hold THAT position. And that is just a little bit sad...

[puredotte]

No, I think the Leawood police's response means they are used to a whole different method of policing these situations than this father proposed to them, which means he made them enforce the law regardless of the neighborhood. A crime is a crime.

It may or may not be our position to judge the father's actions in calling the police, but I can't possibly believe that this man, standing in front of his doorway, speaking to a Channel 5 news camera, while holding the door closed so his family couldn't come out and boasting about his actions was in any way acting in his son's best interest. He claimed to want to "protect his son's privacy," yet plastered his own face and home in front of the greater metropolitan area with smugness and smiles. If this is a demonstration of his dutiful fatherly thought process, then I must question his other parenting skills and decisions, including ... calling the police on his own child.

[maggie]

OK - OK - OK

So some of you people scored a little better than others on the spelling bee. Get over yourselves who cares anyway and for a little food for thought. Take a look at this.

cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

[BR]

One of the MANY differences between you and I deacon john, is that I realized the error of my ways and changed my behavior. If you were really a deacon or some sort of man of the cloth as you claim to be, you would have recognized this. I have asked for and been forgiven by my god. You are a joke, a characature. Deal with that!

I'm white. I don't believe all black people thug out to 50 cent and shoot people over crack in their spare time like the media tells me so -- why do you guys think that people who enjoy a little weed from time to time all are unproductive stoners from the movies like "Half Baked". Bottom line is that a lot more people than you think enjoy weed -- a *lot*, and they won't tell you, because those of you who have never done it and have no right to talk with any authority on it simply judge people and call them 'scum' and other things of that nature. You don't know dick -- you only know what others have told you who didn't know dick. All of the folks I know that smoke weed are all very productive, make *well* above the average income in the area, are very respected amongst their co workers as smart folks, have a LOT of responsibility in their daily lives, have their money in order, and vote. AMAZING. Oh, and the majority of them voted for BUSH too -- quit trying to make this a political left thing -- it's not. It's a matter of being able to look at the facts and come to an educated understanding of them. There's a difference between causation and correlation people -- just because some folks drink booze and smoke weed at their local GANG or KKK meeting, doesn't mean that weed and booze causes GANGS or cross burning.

BT, why are you coming down on the Leawood Police Department? It is their job to dispatch to these calls that come into their city. And no, they don't need two cars to back up every car stop, I know you are trying to be funny but you're just a jackass.

Why dad did you call the police
I was only trying to score a piece

I wasn't hurting any one.
You might have well just used a gun.

My life is over now for sure
For what you done there is no cure.

Now when the family drives down the street.
Everyone will duck down in the seat.

There is no good for what you did.
Heck everyone was once a kid

I am going away for a while.
Maybe now you can smile

[Wife of an addict]

I must say, I am proud of the father and don't think of him as an COWARD at all.

I am the wife of a meth addict who is currently incarcerated and awaiting sentencing. The best deal on the table that the PA will give him is 6 years, for posession!

I am the one that turned my husband in to the police because he was close to death. I often visit my husband in Cameron and I wish that I hadn't done it, but I quickly come to terms with the alternative: visiting his gravesite and wishing that I had.

What I have a hard time with is that I trusted the System as a last resort to get my husband help and now they want to throw him away for 6 years with no treatment.

Good for you dad.

Buaaaaahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

Non-pot-smokers standing in judgement of the pot-proponents...

I say bring back Prohibition and see how the "I have a glass of wine with dinner", and the "I have a scotch after work", and the "I only drink socially" crowd feels when they are being told/sold how horrible alcohol is for them, that alcohol is a gateway drug (for it is the real, absolute and first, isn't it?), that its the source of crimes and poor decisions and yada yada yada...

Stupid.

If the Dad had overheard his son attempting to acquire a 6-pack, would pop have involved the police? Ater all, both are illegal for his son to possess...

Anyway, this is all stupid.

[Michael McGrew]

I see nothing in the article about a pot. Certainly a pot of marijuana would be more than just a small amount?

Awe it was just a little pot, like if you turn a thimble upside down. That size. Who turned your computer on for you anyways?

[Michael McGrew]

Did you work on the case?

[Brian]

How can you possibly compare meth addicts to pot smokers? That's like comparing murderers to shoplifters. Rediculous.

what about the fact that this young man broke the law and we are supposed to teach them to obey the law and if you don't you pay the consequences? He broke the law, so he pays. simple as that

[Micah]

its funny how all of you who are against pot can't come up with one fact that supports your claims. Stop legislating morality to us.

Brother, if I wanted to take the time to educate you with facts we could be here all night, but like with most liberal hippies, you wouldnt be willing to listen anyway, so why bother? and in response to the father who smokes pot and has a great daughter, I wonder if in few years when she is a teenager(if not already) and she starts smoking pot(wich obviously her dad is ok with) and becomes part of the 90% of people who pay serious dues behind smoking dope or other drug use, he will be such a huge fan of getting high or maybe it will take a pot smoking boyfriend to cheat on her or break her heart, or maybe some people will never see the light? Oh well, more of life for me to enjoy I guess.

[ladel]

just to let u all no, im not takin any sides in this, but i am a friend of this mans son. and this was one of the MANY times he had been caught with pot, the only difference this time was the father, well actually the step mom called the cops, the father just took the rap, the father new wat was happening in advance

wierd, someone who actually knows the situation reports that this kid had been caught several times. Guess that doesn't matter in "pot is the least dangerous, most rightous thing on the planet, pass the ben and jerry's" land

BT-I am open-minded. To sanity.

Do I think that the boy should be smoking marijuana? No. Do I think that marijuana should be legal? Yes. The truth is, marijuana in the hands of RESPONSIBLE ADULTS is not more harmful than booze or tobacco. Have I smoked marijuana? Yes, and I'll probably do it again. I am 25, and currently enrolled in college making straight A's and working a 40 hour a week job, as well as managing a household. I have never missed work or class because of my smoking habits, I have never driven under the influence, and I have never ignored a problem just so I could smoke.
At 21 you can gamble, we sell guns, liqour,and tobacco to IRRESPONSIBLE everyday. Just because there are people who happen to think that marijuana is a bad thing doesn't make it wrong, many believe guns, tobacco, and gambling are the downfall of society.
I believe marijuana should be legalized and have the same rules as liqour and tobacco. There is nothing setting it apart from these things other than public opinion.
Now, as far as the man turning his son in, IF the boy was out of control by all means, if that is the ONLY way out, use it. Its better than going to Jenni Jones and sending them off to bootcamp.However, I don't think that turning your son in will solve the problem, only make the child resent you more and sneak around to do what they want behind your back. Obviously there isn't enough information here to say if the son was out of control, but I think the dad did what he thought was best, regardless of what you think he did was right or wrong, unless he was purposefully trying to get his son in trouble out of spite, he did what he feels is best for his son, and you can't fault a parent for trying to do the right thing.

Good job dad. You just made sure that your son cannot get college scholarships or student loans. Federal law prohibits anyone with a drug conviction (mj included) from receiving federally backed student loans. Hope you're willing to pay for his college. No?? Well then congrats on making sure he'll flip burgers.

[Chris]

None of us should judge whether or not what the father did was right or wrong. It's situational. No one knows what happened to lead up to it. There may have been some history, but it could also be that the father just lost control. It is sad that parental counseling could not have prevented/stopped this. I know that when I was a kid, my dad told me that he wouldn't hesitate to call the police if I did something like that, and I thought he was well justified.

As for those of you who argue that the parents run a broken household--you are being a bit presumptuous. Most people are a part of a broken household one way or another. I consider any household with a divorced parent broken, and that covers at least half of American households right there.

And regarding morality legislation, it has its pros and cons. America is a country based on freedom of religion, and there is conflict between the morals of one religion versus another, so in this case, it is difficult to legislate morality. But in the heart of this idea lies the premise that there are no absolutes, and this is a very dangerous and, more importantly, ridiculous, proposition.

First of all, logically speaking, it is impossible to be absolutely sure that there are no absolutes. When someone says that there are no absolutes, you can simply respond, "Are you absolutely sure?" Secondly, I challenge anyone to find a society with no moral code. When you find it, live there for a few years and tell me if you like it. I hope you know that you can't count on human nature to just always do the right thing. This is a fallen world and we are fallen people. If morality is not legislated, is it okay to steal? Is it okay to kill? These are morals, and I'm certainly glad that they are backed by law.

Morality will always be legislated. Vote for someone who draws the line where you like it. Until then, if you don't believe in morals, read Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis.

nice post, Chris

[Cal]

Well now. When this man son is being raped in prison by several men, what will he be thinking about. This father gives the Nazis a good name.

Pot users can be lazy and fat. So are alchohol users. So are people that don't use either alcohol or pot. Comparing to alcohol, pot users are amazingly productive and haven't killed thousands of people with 'stoned driving'.

[BIGE]

ON A LIGHTER NOTE, IF YOU PAN DOWN THE ARTICAL A LITTLE AND YOU SEE THAT A WOMAN HAD TO HAVE HELP FROM THE POLICE TO FIRE A WORKER. I HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS THE BALL WASHER ON THE 7TH TEE AT HALBROOK GOLF COURSE. I GUESS HE WASNT WASHING THE BALLS VERY GOOD.

[BIGE]

WHY ARE PEOPLE TALKING LIKE THIS KID IS GOING TO JAIL? REPORT SAID IT WAS A SMALL AMOUNT WHICH MEANS THERE IS NO JAIL TIME. AND BESIDES THAT, IT HAPPENED TO A LEAWOOD RESIDENT. WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN TO A BLACK MAN FROM KCMO BEING ARRESTED IN LEAWOOD FOR THE SAME THING. HE WOULD STILL BE IN THE TANK. BUT THEN AGAIN, HE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE HIS OWN FILE CABINET IN THE KCMO POLICE STATION.

1. There have been numerous studies that show a strong tie between marijuana use and harder drugs. Marijuana is the the drug to get people started on the road to hard core drugs. Anyone that has ever dealt with users of hard drugs can tell you users almost always started with marijuana and moved on to bigger drugs. The hard users didn't just start using meth or crack or LSD.

2. I am guessing that this young man is under the age of eighteen so it is very unlikely that he will be sent to prison. He may go to juvenile detention, but for a first offense, that is unlikely. Therefore, it is unlikely that hew will be "raped in prison by several men."

3. Personal experience about marijuana users "not" committing crimes. My father was robbed and beaten, not once but twice, by users who need cash for their marijuana fixes. So do not go about spitting out you worthless arguments about marijuana users being saints that don't drive under the influence or commit crimes get the facts. As an aside to those comparing alcohol and pot, when was the last time you remember anyone being attacked for beer money. I know I have never read an account of that happening, does not mean it has not happened, just have not read of it happening.

As far as marijuana being a gateway drug, just because a study shows there is a correlation does not mean that marijuana causes it, it could mean that some people who smoke it are more likely to try other drugs, it could mean that the geographic area the study was preformed in had something to do with it, age, economic times, social class, even sex can influence this. Honestly, any research class will tell you this. While there is a correlation, that doesn't mean that smoking will make you do other drugs, I would venture to say that its not the marijuana that causes people to do harder drugs, its the experimentation mentality.

People WAKE UP do you want the kid to get shot in a drug deal or busted on a harsher charge. How else do you think hard headed kids learn. I am sure he knows his son and has tried many atemps to do somthing and opening his eyes is probably the best was in his mind. I commend him its takes some to turn your son in. He will know better in the long run. Come on ya all hes a johnson county kid he normally gets his way not this time.

I'm sorry about what happened to your father, but there are no such thing as marijuana "fixes." The addictive properties of marijuana are almost non-existent. Smoking it does not cause a person to have an unabating desire to do anything so they can have the feeling again. Marijuana is less addicting that nicotine, caffiene, and alcohol. Shoot, its even less addicting than Benadryll. The reason for this lack of addictive properties is that Marijuana does not affect dopamine receptors on the brain. Now, this is just an argument that marijuana is not very PHYSICALLY addicting. It can still be very psychologically addicting. A person can become addicted to the feeling of calm and happiness that smoking pot provides. But this type of addiction rarely, if ever, produces the "need for a fix" associated with the need to commit a crime for it. It is easily ignored because a person lacks the physical cravings for the drug. Also, this psychological addiction is similar to the feeling that runners/bikers get from performing their particular exercise. You can become psychologically addicted to ANYTHING, marijuana included. Withdrawal symptoms from stopping use is also less than what it would be when using caffiene. Im not arguing for pot to be legalized, only that posters should not write rambling criticisms of pot without properly researching or knowing the topic first.

CONGRATS TO THE FATHER WHO LOVES HIS CHILD. THE FATHER TALKED WITH THE SON ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRUGS AND HAD HIM SIGN A CONTRACT. LIKE ALL CONTRACTS THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES IF BROKEN. THE SON KNEW BUT PUSHED THE BOUNDRIES. HE GAMBLED AND NOW IS PAYIING THE PRICE. THIS MAY BE THE BEST LESSON OF HIS LIFE NOT TO GET INVOLVED IN DRUGS. I AM SURE THE FATHER IS SUFFERING JUST AS MUCH, LAW OR NO LAW, FOR HIS SON LYING TO HIM. ONLY TIME WILL TELL.

[blondie2hot7]

I can tell you that my sister (who is now 51 yrs old) has been smoking "pot" for 35 years , and, she says she can't get out of bed without it. I suppose it can be physically addictive? But then, you have to look at the people who say "I can't get out of bed without my coffee." So, in a way, I guess we all have our "demons" to deal with. I really don't blame the dad for calling the police, but, I think a good long trip to the woodshed might have settled this without the police stepping in? I'm not sure if this measure had been taken before, or if the boy is bigger than the dad, but it sounds like a teenager needing a good "talking to." I would hate to see my son in this situation, and most of us don't really know what our kids are doing when we are not there. So I guess we have to make the judgement call if and when it happens to us.. I'm not pointing any fingers.

[henry Watson]

I CANNOT beleive this. a father turns in his son. what about talking to the son. what about turning in the pusher. have the arrest in the driveway. this is HORRIBLE. the Nazis turned families into snitches. save your son, but do not have him arrested. Goodness sakes. how will you live with turning in your son?>>

[Kyle]

F#ck the johnson county juv. system. the kids have no rights in the court. it is really horrible what they do to these kids. and this dad should be beaten really, what a puss

obviously, a juvenille offender

[Wayne]

What is wrong with our society nowadays? No one want's to take responsibility for his/her actions,but that same person want's
someone, other than themselves, to be responsible for their actions and outcome.
True,sometime's the parent(s) may be to much a "dictator" and not a parent;but,also
sometimes a parent(s) may be way to lenient.
A parent is supposed to be a role model to their children.Not only in being an example of morality(right/wrong) for "everyone" (and your kids),to see,but also showing yourself to everyone else,(you have to have common sense and know how to use it!)
At the same time kids,teens:quit going for instant gratification(fun)without first thinking about "who" will get hurt in your
action(s),whether it is yourself or someone
else!
Parent(s),make guidelines/rules for your kids to adhere to,and above all"Back-up with action what you say with words" to your kids!Don't be a tyrant nor a dictactor.
Kids,teens-you are still on a major learning curve, contrary to your own beliefs
and opinions to becoming a adult.Respond before you react!Even though I know it is difficult being a young person,knowing it all,knowing your right and "EVERYONE" else is wrong!Use common sense!Think,before you act ! And above all-know that ANY actions you do,or participate in;YOU alone ARE RESPONSIBLE for YOUR OWN ACTIONS! This applies both to adults as well as the younger generation!

The son signed a no drug use contract with his parents. No means no. This is about the son's character and integrity. Maybe smoking pot kept those aspects from forming or made them disappear.

Who knows what other drugs he might use.

[nancyrhe]

Am I the only one who has noticed this, or is it apparent to everyone-those responding to this story who are in favor of legalizing marijuana and who obviously use it frequently CANNOT SPELL!!

Hello!! Research aside, the results speak, or in this case, SPELL for themselves...

Read it and weep, folks...

I am a pot smoking two-time spelling bee champion.

[J]

Well, aren't you proud of yourself.

I still can't believe this HAPPENED in L-fckingwood - or that money was not thrown to keep it quiet.

Ah, JC, the land of the Dr. Green's.

[Patty]

You never know what's going on in a family unless you live in their home. Other circumstances might be involved, with this incident being the last straw. How many of us call the cops to our house at the drop of a hat? I doubt if any parent does that just for kicks, and suspect there may be other issues at play here that may have nothing to do with the kid using marijuana. Had other drugs been involved? Was there other negative behavior that the parents blamed on drug use, or on their son hanging out with the kids providing the drugs? Was the kid doing what he pleased and telling his folks they couldn't do anything about it? Had the family tried counseling, and did the kid reject it? Or had they made other agreements that were broken? Without knowing the whole story, I am unable to turn this into Reefer Madness or judge the parents for their decision.

[Dave]

Legalize Marijuana! Ive been to the Netherlands and it truly showed me what freedom was.

[dk]

I'm forty and smoke pot, often after a long day at my highly paid, high-profile job. I live in Chicago in a fabulous condo with skyline and lake views and a 24-hour doorman. I work out regularly, eat sushi, meditate and spend a lot of money on art. I prefer Prada over tie dye. In Chicago, I believe you are given a ticket for pot rather than being hauled into jail. Oh, I can also spell and somehow through my pot-filled high school days retained the knowledge that periods and commas belong inside of quotation "marks." I'm also a proud liberal, and last I heard, we were the open minded ones. Do the reactionaries who have posted here call us liberals thinking they are slinging an insult? Isn't your bandwagon less government? As such, shouldn’t government get its nose out of people’s business and their right to smoke pot? To those of you tierd of this type of hollow, hypocritical right wing rant, read the book What's the Matter with Kansas? It touches heavily on your neck of the woods and the out of touch “anti-hippie” rhetoric I’ve read here today. Sorry I got off subject. My parents simply flushed my pot, threw my bongs in the trash compactor and never once called the police. We are today best of friends. My dad drinks; I smoke pot.

I am going to use an analogy/example here and it is what it is, so nobody go getting pissed off at me this is just an example. Here goes: alot of the pro dope crowd on this blog remind me of the far-left anti-war crowd in that some of the stuff those types of anti-war crowd almost make you want to wish that they or someone they care about would be attacked by terrorists so then maybe, just maybe they would get it. Same goes for the pro dope crew, I guess some of these people will just have to have there life ruined or the life of someone they love ruined to realize that doing drugs is not the way to go regardless of how much money you have or how much sushi you can eat.

[Patty]

Let's calmly take your analogy/example one step further then. If the far-left anti-war crowd is pro-dope, then the far-right pro-war crowd embraces alcoholism. George W. Bush received a DUI arrest in 1976 at age 30, and Dick Cheney receiving two DUI arrests in 1962 and 1963, at ages 21 and 22 respectively. So the lesson for the pro-dope crowd is that doing drugs is not the way to go, but if you drink way too much and decide to operate a vehicle, you can grow up to be president and/or vice-president. Hey, it is what it is, so please don't get mad at this example either!

I never said the anti-war far left people are pro dope, I just said some people on this blog that are pro dope remind me of those people. And I dont think drunk driving is cool either.

What a whimp,The goverment protects us from ourselves entirely to much.Now you want them to parent your kids too. I really don't see how the other countries in the world survive without a goverment like ours to look after them....We are the least free of all the free world

and I never get mad at debates over the internet, this is really just good entertainment that you can participate in.

then move

yeah, by the way, not exactly tons of countries in the world doing great either. Maybe you should look into moving in with Johnny Depp in Francea(wrong spelling on purpose to show lack of respect)

[Anon]

I think we are all too quick to judge. We judge the kid, the father, the bad spellers, the good spellers...MJ is a drug, and drugs affect different people in different ways. Kudos to the successful people on this forum who smoke-you truly use it as a recreational drug. Some people can't handle it, just like some people can't handle alcohol (just go into any drinking establishment on a Saturday night to see this). It is up to parents to inform their children of the effects of drug usage, but sadly, too many people rely on the D.A.R.E. program. I remember going through DARE. The officer that taught my 5th grade class was arrested for meth possession 6 years later. Great example he was.
I am a 4.0 philosophy major. I work full time at a restaurant, I also own my own business. I smoke pot once a month. The women on this forum will better understand why. It has anti-nausea and painkilling qualities, without the side effects of Vicadin, or any other prescription drug. I can function on those 2 days of every month because I smoke pot, otherwise, I would be curled up in bed unable to attend class or work.
I sympathize with the father in this situation as he felt as if there was no other option. But isn't that the problem? What preventative measures were taken? Was the father too busy at work to afford a Leawood home to be able to connect with his son? (I say that knowing many kids my age who grew up in Leawood never knowing their fathers and or mothers but having "cool" houses and the best toys).
Whether or not someone is a liberal or a conservative should never be an issue in a case like this, what should concern all of us is the lack of communication prior to this incident that possibly caused it. If discussions like these happen before an event, could that help to prevent it?

[Wife of an addict]

Someone posted:

"How can you possibly compare meth addicts to pot smokers? That's like comparing murderers to shoplifters. Rediculous."

I'd like to more on your thoughts of this. I'm not saying I disagree, but would like more thoughts. Feel free to email me at travelles1@yahoo.com.

[ric bessey]

Shame on the dad.How about talking to him .Get off the couch and put your cocktail down and talk to him .I'm sorry that you have just lost your son forever.

[Brad]

I do not know the history between the father/son, and what else transpired prior to the cops being called. If this was a random thing, than it is absolutley rediculous. If it was a reoccuring problem, and after repeated attempts to correct went out the window..I, to, as a parent would turn for help. However I wouldn't turn to the police. There are MANY alternatives that you and your child could seek out together to solve the problem.

As for all the 'DOWN WITH DOPE, UP WITH HOPE' people posting about how pot is sooo harmful and causing problems.. get real, and get educated on the facts (not what you've 'heard'). These same people probably just got back from happy hour and drove home after picking up thier kid. Now they want to have a morality attack and judge other people.

Just because something is 'illegal' (a misdemeanor for christs sake) you want to judge what someone does in thier own home. Maybe you should pay more attention to what is going on in your home, and less attention to what is going on in others.

Lets calculate the deaths caused by Medical FDA approved Prescriptions, cigerretes, alchohol etc.. now lets compare them to even people hospitalized from pot use.. lol cmon seriously.

[andrew]

yea seriously it almost impossible to over dose on weed guys sure it's a "Gate way" drug but that just a reason for the cops to keep it illegal it DOESN'T hurt grades im on the honor roll and im high every day in school smoke on the drive there

peace and love

[Mo]

Okay, this story is very real. There are a lot of kids who get in trouble for something minor because thier parents call the cops. In this case, I am undecided. I do medicate with marijuana so I fully understand the great medical benefits. On the other hand, I have seen people take a detour on life after smoking pot. The only effect of pot that I would consider negative is the feeling of wanting to relax when it is time to be productive. Well, this could be true it depends on the person. I am a motivated individual and I smoke before classes maintain a 4.0 gpa and am the honor roll. I understand that not everyone has this ability, some people smoke and get lazy. I understand a parent's concern for his/her child using marijuana but the fact of matter is that it can be a positive motivator for some and not for others. If my child began to use marijuana I would not call the cops. I would educate my child fully of the pros and cons, I would not be worried about my child overdosing because trust me you would fall asleep smoking that much pot before you could overdose. I would be worried that my child will not have the willpower and strength to smoke pot and maintain a 4.0 gpa education is the key. Listen parents, kids are smarter and smarter these days and truthfully to educate them is much better than to reprimand them. I do not think this father should have notified the police. I think he should have immediately called for a talk with his son to straighten out the facts on marijuana. In the same sense, a parent must be open to a child's thoughts regarding pot it is a very prevalent issue that teens are actually teaching themselves through internet research. I understand my responsibilities in life and I will in no way shape or form allow my interest in marijuana to ruin my life or my family's...I refuse. Goodluck to everyone out there who are dealing with a similar issue.

[Mo]

Okay, this story is very real. There are a lot of kids who get in trouble for something minor because thier parents call the cops. In this case, I am undecided. I do medicate with marijuana so I fully understand the great medical benefits. On the other hand, I have seen people take a detour on life after smoking pot. The only effect of pot that I would consider negative is the feeling of wanting to relax when it is time to be productive. Well, this could be true it depends on the person. I am a motivated individual and I smoke before classes maintain a 4.0 gpa and am the honor roll. I understand that not everyone has this ability, some people smoke and get lazy. I understand a parent's concern for his/her child using marijuana but the fact of matter is that it can be a positive motivator for some and not for others. If my child began to use marijuana I would not call the cops. I would educate my child fully of the pros and cons, I would not be worried about my child overdosing because trust me you would fall asleep smoking that much pot before you could overdose. I would be worried that my child will not have the willpower and strength to smoke pot and maintain a 4.0 gpa education is the key. Listen parents, kids are smarter and smarter these days and truthfully to educate them is much better than to reprimand them. I do not think this father should have notified the police. I think he should have immediately called for a talk with his son to straighten out the facts on marijuana. In the same sense, a parent must be open to a child's thoughts regarding pot it is a very prevalent issue that teens are actually teaching themselves through internet research. I understand my responsibilities in life and I will in no way shape or form allow my interest in marijuana to ruin my life or my family's...I refuse. Goodluck to everyone out there who are dealing with a similar issue.