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On  Nov. 6 2012 Colorado and Washington’s voters voted to Legalize the Recreational Use of Marijuana

 

Colorado -Amendment 64

The vote tally:

Yes = 54.8% (1,291,771)

No = 45.1% (1,064,342)

 

 Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett

Announced  that his office would drop all pending prosecutions of adults for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and/or possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Other counties also are reporting the same kinds of things.

 

 Washington – Initiative 502

The vote tally:

Yes = 55.5% (1,667,914)

No = 45.5% (1,335,804)

 

 Seattle produces a Marijuana Guide

Jonah Spangenthal-Lee, a former journalist who wrote for The Stranger, a weekly alternative newspaper. He was hired by the Seattle police department earlier this year.

 

Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattle

Written by  Jonah Spangenthal-Lee on  November 9, 2012

 

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.

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.

 

Can Off-Hours Marijuana Use After Dec. 6 Get You in Trouble at Work?

Marijuana is legal in Washington on Dec. 6, but the new state law gives no protection from workplace drug policies. Many employers will continue to rely on tests showing marijuana use — even from weeks ago — rather than on-the-job impairment.

By Jonathan Martin

Seattle Times staff reporter

 

 Other News

 

There is a Petition at www.WhiteHouse.gov

Vote If you Want.

Remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substance Act and allow the states to decide how they want to regulate it.

Click if you want to go over and Sign

 

 Marijuana Vending Machine Maker’s Stock Skyrockets and Everybody Freaks Out

via Mashable

With the idea of legalizing marijuana more popular than ever. With Washington and Colorado having legalized pot at the state level. Now with the legal marijuana market looking stronger than ever, there are companies looking to build around big-marijuana when commodity reaches critical mass but most of those companies are waiting in the wings, but not medical supply distribution producer MedBox, which has been thrust into the spotlight. The company, which makes vending machines for hospitals, pharmacies, and “alternative medicine clinics,” has seen its stock price rise by 3,000 percent since the 2012 election.

 

Hemp News:

 

Industrial Hemp Commission in Kentucky are meeting for the first time in 10 years

In August, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, along with a bi-partisan group of legislators, stood before Kentuckians and promised to move the industrial hemp initiative forward. This meeting marks the beginning of that process. “Kentucky needs jobs. Everybody says they are for job creation, but supporting industrial hemp is their chance to prove it,” Paul said. “Industrial hemp could create thousands of production and manufacturing jobs, and Kentucky has the opportunity to be first in line for them. I strongly urge all Kentuckians to call their legislators and other elected officials and ask them to support the industrial hemp initiative.” Comer echoed Paul’s support and discussed the benefits to Kentucky farmers. “We keep telling our farmers to diversify and look for new opportunities. Well, we have to give them the freedom to pursue them first,” said Comer. “Kentucky has the perfect climate and soil to produce industrial hemp and the hard-working farmers ready to grow it. We just have to get the government out of the way.” Tomorrow’s meeting will include a special presentation by several honored guests: staff members from Sen. Paul’s office; David Bronner, the founder of the nation’s top-selling natural soap brand, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps; and a representative of Vote Hemp, a leading industrial hemp advocacy group. The group is expected to make a stunning announcement regarding some substantial private funding for the Commission. In addition to this announcement, the Commission is expected to take up issues such as potential legislation, educational and public outreach efforts, and infrastructure issues related to hemp. From Kentucky Department of Agriculture

 

There is alot of Industrial Hemp talking going around. I would say its probably because of what going on in Colorado and Washington.

 

Until Next Week

Joe Jameson