Ross Ulbricht was handed an unheard-of sentence for a nonviolent, first-time offense: double life plus 40 years without parole. Not one of his trial charges involved violence of any kind. An Eagle Scout, scholarship winner and scientist, Ross followed his free-market ideals and interest in new technologies to innovate new ways of trading, using the then-little-known cryptocurrency bitcoin. He created the online marketplace Silk Road, which was based on privacy and the non-aggression principle of voluntary interaction. On the site, people could buy and sell what they chose, as long as they didn’t harm a third party. Most commonly exchanged were small quantities of marijuana, now legal throughout much of the U.S., including in three states where Ross has been incarcerated.
Put America’s Geeks to Work, Don’t Cage Them
