As a proud Oregonian, a resident for 41 years, I'm embarassed to say this. But I will. I'm envious of Washingtonians.
Last Tuesday they legalized marijuana and ratified the legality of gay marriage. And it looks like they have a way cooler police department in Seattle than we have in Portland.
It's difficult to imagine the Portland police department putting out such a well-written and entertaining guide to now-legal marijuana use as the Seattle P.D. did in "Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use in Seattle."
Some excerpts:
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.
...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).
...Will police officers be able to smoke marijuana?
As of right now, no. This is still a very complicated issue.
...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.
...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.
The guide ends with a You Tube video. Whoever wrote this piece for the Seattle Police Department deserves a promotion.
It is time for the country to accept the prevalence of cannibis and regulate it similarly to alcohol. Enforcement is impossible, expensive and the jails are full of people, at great cost to the taxpayer, who are there soley for marijuana related crimes. The situation is ridiculous. Habitual cannibis use is not benign, but it is not nearly as destructive to lives and families as the hard drugs or even alcohol. Cannibis users tend not to be dangerous or belligerent under it's influence and many manage to work and hold down jobs while stoned. However, I would not like the pilot of my plane to load up on a couple bowls of 16% THC Diesel Skunk Indica before takeoff, so pilots and people in public safety positions will have to be tested. I don't like the idea of people driving on cannibis but they drive better, for the most part, than drunks. For some people cannibis really is medically helpful. Personally, I don't enjoy the effects of cannibis so I am not taking this position because I am a user.
Posted by: tucson | November 15, 2012 at 08:25 PM
It's time nationally, for sure, but I'm a little embarrassed by Oregon's rejection of Measure 80. Perhaps it was the way the measure was written where it created a state-run distribution system (similar to how alcohol is distributed today). But it is more likely that we have a stronger conservative bent than either WA or CO that still isn't ready to admit to reality (see our treatment of gay marriage).
But the question is how the feds will react. It really only requires that the Attorney General remove MJ off Schedule I (though there's a provision in the law that allows for the opportunity for public hearing, which the GOP would love to turn into a circus). It should be on the same list as alcohol (is that on a list?). The only other issue is whether international treaties require that we keep it controlled. At the least the current AG sees individual enforcement for possession/use consistent with state law as a low priority, though I would guess that he'll be unpredictable on supply chain enforcement even in those states.
Posted by: Lango6 | November 19, 2012 at 01:42 AM