Washington State's I-502 Freeing Cannabis Users Before Even Going Into Effect

"There is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month." - Atty Dan Satterberg

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg

(COTTAGE GROVE, Ore.) - According to sources, because I-502 has legalized Cannabis possession for All Washingtonians aged 21 and over, the King County (Seattle) Washington prosecutors are reporting plans of dismissing 175 pending cases regarding Cannabis users of legal age, and Pierce County (Tacoma) Washington prosecutors have reportedly dropped 50 cases.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg said, "Although the effective date of I-502 is not until December 6th, there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month."

He states that he had 40 cases already filed with the court that he "will be dismissing" and that he has another 135 that are awaiting official charges, which he is planning to return to the arresting agencies for reconsideration for dismissal as well.

When interviewed by the Seattle Times Newspaper, Satterberg stated that his office would continue to prosecute those who possess more than 1 ounce of Cannabis (marijuana), but said there will be a "buffer for those whose scales are less than accurate".

Satterberg went on to explain that his office will be prosecuting people caught with "more than 40 grams" with a FELONY, though he says he may allow such people the ability to "plea down to a misdemeanor".

It is reported that more than 67,000 individuals have been arrested for possessing "small amounts" of Cannabis in Washington state within the last 5 Years. When I-502 goes into effect on December 6th, 2012, all of that is expected to change, and as you see, some prosecutors aren't even waiting "that long".

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Jerry Whiting November 21, 2012 6:30 pm (Pacific time)

WA voters did the right thing this election day and redefined "The Evergreen State". The end of Prohibition is upon us! www.JetCityOrange.com/I-502/

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