Washington (State) Counties Drop Marijuana Misdemeanor Possession Cases in Light of Vote [View all]

Source: CNN


08:19 PM ET
Wash. counties drop marijuana misdemeanor possession cases in light of vote

The prosecutor's offices for two Washington counties - including the one that contains Seattle - announced today they will dismiss 175 misdemeanor marijuana possession charges, days after the state's voters legalized the drug.

The dropped cases all involve arrests of individuals age 21 and older for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana.

Washington state voters passed Initiative 502 on Tuesday, thus legalizing and regulating the production, possession, and distribution of cannabis for people ages 21 and older.

The initiative is set to take effect December 6, though King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg decided to act before then.

"There is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month," Satterberg said in a news release.

Read more: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/09/washington-county-drops-marijuana-misdeanor-possession-cases-in-light-of-vote/comment-page-1/