Washington State: “We’re not going to prosecute marijuana possession cases anymore”

In his first few days as City Attorney, Pete Holmes has sent a major message to the Citizens and Legislature of Washington State.

Several marijuana possession cases have been dropped already and 50 more are being reviewed. Barring “out of the ordinary circumstances” the City of Seattle will be the safest place for a toker in the state.

So! What about the rest of us?

We are living in a State that sits firmly atop the Marijuana Law Reform podium.
- We have bills working through or legislature to both decriminalize and Fully Legalize Marijuana. Neither of these bills is perfect but dose represent a huge stepping stone in the fight.
- We have an initiative filled by Sensible Washington, that pressures Olympia to make real changes this year or WE The People will take the issue out of their hands.
- And NOW! The City of Seattle, our largest population center, with marijuana already set as it’s “lowest law enforcement priority”, has a Mayor who states publicly that Marijuana should be legal and a City Attorney who says he will not prosecute any “out of the ordinary” marijuana possession cases. WOW that’s a lot to grasp.

How will each of these efforts affect the other? (My novice POV)
First off, I feel the State’s HB2401 has less than little chance to become law in 2010. It is a hugely symbolic bill that was not written with any of the nuance this complicated issue needs. HB1177 & SB5615 both proposing what I call $100 Decrim, have a “better” chance of passing but, that’s still a long shot in 2010.

All this is simple until Sensible Washington walks on the playing field!
With their ONE page simply written initiative filled, they put real pressure on the legislature to do something or Marijuana might be on the ballot in November. It might Pass!

Sensible Washington would have you oppose the legislative efforts because all of it is null and void if their initiative passes. I support the initiative process completely but also recognize the possible benefit of a well written law that draws in reasonable income for the state and supplies funding to drug education/treatment programs. Such a law would 100% have to protect my right to grow for recreational use and not alter the states Medical Marijuana program in a negative way. I don’t think thay can do it!

Here we are. What should the reformer do…?
I will continue to pressure the state to find a workable law to pass AND Put considerable attention towards the initiative. If it passes, it should cancel out all of the laws anyways.

Source http://www.wamjlawreform.com/2010/01/were-not-going-to-prosecute-marijuana.html