colonuggs
Well-Known Member
On Friday afternoon, King County prosecutor Dan Satterberg issued a statement saying he would be dismissing all misdemeanor marijuana cases.
“Today’s decision will impact 175 King County cases that are currently filed or referred for filing involving individuals age 21 and older who possessed one ounce or less of marijuana,” Satterberg said. “With the passage of I-502, marijuana possession of one ounce or less by individuals age 21 and older will become legal in the state of Washington on Dec. 6.”
Satterberg said that dismissing these cases is the right thing to do in light of Tuesday’s vote.
“Although the effective date of I-502 is not until Dec. 6, there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month,” Satterberg said.
Shortly after Satterberg’s announcement, King County Sheriff Steve Strachan issued a separate statement saying county deputies would no longer be arresting and charging people over 21 who have 1 ounce of pot on them.
“Now that the initiative has passed, and now that the prosecutor’s office won’t be charging the individuals, we will also not focus on behavior that will be legal under Washington state law after Dec. 6th,” said Strachan.
There are 12 municipalities that contract with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services. It remains the policy decision of the municipal attorneys and policy-makers of those cities to determine how they will proceed between now and Dec. 6, Strachan said. This decision only affects the deputies working in unincorporated King County
“Today’s decision will impact 175 King County cases that are currently filed or referred for filing involving individuals age 21 and older who possessed one ounce or less of marijuana,” Satterberg said. “With the passage of I-502, marijuana possession of one ounce or less by individuals age 21 and older will become legal in the state of Washington on Dec. 6.”
Satterberg said that dismissing these cases is the right thing to do in light of Tuesday’s vote.
“Although the effective date of I-502 is not until Dec. 6, there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month,” Satterberg said.
Shortly after Satterberg’s announcement, King County Sheriff Steve Strachan issued a separate statement saying county deputies would no longer be arresting and charging people over 21 who have 1 ounce of pot on them.
“Now that the initiative has passed, and now that the prosecutor’s office won’t be charging the individuals, we will also not focus on behavior that will be legal under Washington state law after Dec. 6th,” said Strachan.
There are 12 municipalities that contract with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services. It remains the policy decision of the municipal attorneys and policy-makers of those cities to determine how they will proceed between now and Dec. 6, Strachan said. This decision only affects the deputies working in unincorporated King County