MARIJUANA CASES DROPPED IN COLORADO AND WASHINGTON DUE TO NEW LAW LEGALIZING WEED

Voters get amendment passed that legalizes marijuana in Colorado and Washington

One of the most immediate effects of pot decriminalization in Colorado and Washington, is, you know, the removal of criminal penalties for pot.

In Boulder, CO this week, the District Attorney dropped pot possession cases against adults 21 and older. “Boulder DA Stan Garnett announced his decision via Twitter [Wednesday] morning, and a spokeswoman said prosecutors in Colorado are obligated to drop cases if they don’t think a jury may convict. Garnett’s decision is effective immediately,” 

Over in Washington, 220 marijuana cases have been dismissed in King and Pierce counties, The Seattle Times reports.

“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,” King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg said in a statement Monday.

Clark County joined King and Pierce Counties Tuesday in dismissing a number of possession cases.

Decriminalization is working its way up the assembly line of criminal justice too. Boulder police Chief Mark Beckner told the Daily Camera his department will stop issuing tickets or making arrests for mere marijuana possession of less than an ounce and paraphernalia.

Seattle’s Police Department also issued “A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use in Seattle” Nov. 9.