Prosecutors in Pierce, King counties to dismiss pot-possession cases

The elected prosecutors in Washington's two most populous counties said today they would dismiss certain misdemeanor marijuana-possession cases as a result of voters' passage of Initiative 502, which legalizes pot possession of one ounce or less.

The dismissals in Pierce and King counties will affect defendants who are 21 years or older who are charged with possessing one ounce or less of marijuana. There are about 175 such cases in King County and about a third that number in Pierce County.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg said that dismissing the cases is the right thing to do.

“Although the effective date of I-502 is not until December 6, there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month,” Satterberg said.

Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said only defendants whose sole charge is misdemeanor marijuana possession would have their cases dismissed. The charge will stand if it is part of a multiple-count case, Lindquist said.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/11/09/2361664/prosectors-in-pierce-king-counties.html#storylink=cpy