[Vision2020] Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattle

[Janesta]

*speechless*

On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 8:22 PM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:

> Courtesy of the Seattle Police Department at:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/bwj4srk
>
> -------------------------------------
>
> Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattle
>
> The people have spoken. Voters have passed Initiative 502 and beginning
> December 6th, it is not a violation of state law for adults over 21 years
> old to possess up to an ounce of marijuana (or 16 ounces of solid
> marijuana-infused product, like cookies, or 72 ounces of infused liquid,
> like oil) for personal use.  The initiative establishes a one-year period
> for the state to develop rules and a licensing system for the marijuana
> production and sale.
>
> Marijuana has existed in a grey area in Seattle for some time now. Despite
> a longstanding national prohibition on marijuana, minor marijuana
> possession has been the lowest enforcement priority for the Seattle Police
> Department since Seattle voters passed Initiative 75 in 2003. Officers
> don’t like grey areas in the law. I-502 now gives them more clarity.
>
> Marijuana legalization creates some challenges for the Seattle Police
> Department, but SPD is already working to respond to these issues head on,
> by doing things like reviewing SPD’s hiring practices for police officers
> to address now-legal marijuana usage by prospective officers, as well as
> current employees.
>
> While I-502 has decriminalized marijuana possession in Washington, the new
> state law does not change federal law, which classifies marijuana as a
> Schedule I narcotic. All Seattle Police officers have taken an oath to
> uphold not only state law, but federal law as well. However, SPD officers
> will follow state law, and will no longer make arrests for marijuana
> possession as defined under I-502.
>
> The Seattle Police Department and Mayor Mike McGinn have already begun
> working with state officials to navigate this conflict, and follow the
> direction of Washington voters to legalize marijuana.
>
> In the meantime, the Seattle Police Department will continue to enforce
> laws against unlicensed sale or production of marijuana, and regulations
> against driving under the influence of marijuana, which remain illegal.
>
> TL;DR?
>
> Here’s a practical guide for what the Seattle Police Department believes
> I-502 means for you, beginning December 6th, based on the department’s
> current understanding of the initiative  Please keep in mind that this is
> all subject to ongoing state and local review, and that it describes the
> view of the Seattle Police Department only. All marijuana possession and
> sale remains illegal under federal law, and Seattle Police cannot predict
> or control the enforcement activities of federal authorities.
>
> Can I legally carry around an ounce of marijuana?
>
> According to the recently passed initiative, beginning December 6th,
> adults over the age of 21 will be able to carry up to an ounce of marijuana
> for personal use. Please note that the initiative says it “is unlawful to
> open a package containing marijuana…in view of the general public,” so
> there’s that. Also, you probably shouldn’t bring pot with you to the
> federal courthouse (or any other federal property).
>
> Well, where can I legally buy pot, then?
>
> The Washington State Liquor Control Board is working to establish
> guidelines for the sale and distribution of marijuana. The WSLCB has until
> December 1, 2013 to finalize those rules. In the meantime, production and
> distribution of non-medical marijuana remains illegal.
>
> Does I-502 affect current medical marijuana laws?
>
> No, medical marijuana laws in Washington remain the same as they were
> before I-502 passed.
> Can I grow marijuana in my home and sell it to my friends, family, and
> co-workers?
> Not right now. In the future, under state law, you may be able to get a
> license to grow or sell marijuana.
>
> Can I smoke pot outside my home? Like at a park, magic show, or the Bite
> of Seattle?
>
> Much like having an open container of alcohol in public, doing so could
> result in a civil infraction—like a ticket—but not arrest. You can
> certainly use marijuana in the privacy of your own home. Additionally, if
> smoking a cigarette isn’t allowed where you are (say, inside an apartment
> building or flammable chemical factory), smoking marijuana isn’t allowed
> there either.
>
> Will police officers be able to smoke marijuana?
>
> As of right now, no. This is still a very complicated issue.
> If I apply for a job at the Seattle Police Department, will past (or
> current) marijuana use be held against me? The current standard for
> applicants is that they have not used marijuana in the previous three
> years. In light of I-502, the department will consult with the City
> Attorney and the State Attorney General to see if and how that standard may
> be revised.
>
> What happens if I get pulled over and an officer thinks I’ve been smoking
> pot?
>
> If an officer believes you’re driving under the influence of anything,
> they will conduct a field sobriety test and may consult with a drug
> recognition expert. If officers establish probable cause, they will bring
> you to a precinct and ask your permission to draw your blood for testing.
> If officers have reason to believe you’re under the influence of something,
> they can get a warrant for a blood draw from a judge. If you’re in a
> serious accident, then a blood draw will be mandatory.
>
> What happens if I get pulled over and I’m sober, but an officer or his K9
> buddy smells the ounce of Super Skunk I’ve got in my trunk?
>
> Under state law, officers have to develop probable cause to search a
> closed or locked container. Each case stands on its own, but the smell of
> pot alone will not be reason to search a vehicle. If officers have
> information that you’re trafficking, producing or delivering marijuana in
> violation of state law, they can get a warrant to search your vehicle.
>
> SPD seized a bunch of my marijuana before I-502 passed. Can I have it back?
>
> No.
>
> Will SPD assist federal law enforcement in investigations of marijuana
> users or marijuana-related businesses, that are allowed under I-502?
>
> No. Officers and detectives will not participate in an investigation of
> anything that’s not prohibited by state law.
>
> December 6th seems like a really long ways away. What happens if I get
> caught with marijuana before then?
>
> Hold your breath. Your case will be processed under current state law.
> However, there is already a city ordinance making marijuana enforcement the
> lowest law enforcement priority.
>
> I’m under 21. What happens if I get caught smoking pot?
>
> It’s a violation of state law. It may referred to prosecutors, just like
> if you were a minor in possession of alcohol.
>
> -------------------------------------
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow, because . . .
>
> "Moscow Cares"
> http://www.MoscowCares.com
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
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