Washington's marijuana laws
Friday, 18. July 2008, 16:37:55
I'm not a proponent of smoking dope. It just doesn't appeal to me. Seriously, though, the last person to pose a threat to anybody is someone who's stoned. What are they gonna do? Say "Dude!" too much?
Likewise, the state of Washington's police departments resolved to direct fewer resources to marijuana busts to focus on other things: violent crimes, alcohol-related crimes, methamphetamine busts, etc. Now they've been ordered to follow suit.
Likewise, the state of Washington's police departments resolved to direct fewer resources to marijuana busts to focus on other things: violent crimes, alcohol-related crimes, methamphetamine busts, etc. Now they've been ordered to follow suit.
Long story short, a cop pulled a car over a non-drug-related reason. The officer smelled marijuana. Most cops would have noted that the driver was unimpaired and tended to the real reason for pulling the car over.
This cop was from the minority of officers that gives law enforcement a bad name. He searched and arrested both people in the car. The arrestees appealed, saying the officer had no search warrant and no grounds for reasonable suspicion.
Washington's State Supreme Court justices unanimously agreed.
They stated astutely that marijuana's scent can linger for weeks, just like cigarette smoke. The scent might have been reason to search the car but not its occupants. They overturned the conviction and unanimously ruled that the search and arrests were unjustified.
This is not a ruling about smoking pot so much as it's affirmation that our police are accountable, too. I personally hope that this is a step away from egoism and a step towards more responsible law enforcement.
Peace out.
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I suppose I could Google it instead of bothering you with my stupid questions.
By Nerak, # 22. July 2008, 02:23:46
Google it. Then be sure to re-Google it next week, just in case it's changed again.
No, seriously, Washington has been a medical marijuana state for nearly ten years. Chronic pain and IBS count here, too.
As chronically pained and ill people, I know you'll diligently smoke your medicinal marijuana, but you won't like it!
By unlisted, # 22. July 2008, 03:34:47
By Nerak, # 22. July 2008, 23:21:47
By noah counte, # 9. September 2008, 19:18:39