http://q13fox.com/2015/09/18/new-side-effect-of-wa... New side-effect of Washington's marijuana law: Youth possession now a felony LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) - A prosecutor in southeastern Washington has charged three teens with felonies for marijuana possession, saying a new law demands the higher level of offense. The Lewiston Tribune in Idaho reports (http://goo.gl/g8Xhpl) three teens ages 14, 15 and 17 have been charged in nearby Asotin County, Wash., with felonies that could net them up to five years in prison. The offense was previously a misdemeanor with a maximum 90-day jail sentence. Asotin County prosecutor Ben Nichols says Senate Bill 5052 contains the new language. The bill's sponsor, Republican state Sen. Ann Rivers of La Center, Wash., says the tougher penalty was designed to deter minors from trying an adult drug. A spokesman for Gov. Jay Inslee says the provision is an unintended consequence of a law focused on regulating the state's medical marijuana system.
I have no problems with the premise of a sanction, but for the Governor to claim it is an "unintended consequence" is truly disingenuous...after all, Governor signed the damned thing...and you would presume they read legislation related to the legal wild west that is medical marijuana.
That is going to ruin their life, that is crazy. What if they were caught with alcohol? I actually know someone who did get caught with alcohol under 21, and guess what. He is a police officer now, actually he saved a gunshot victim's life not too long ago, who had a punctured lung.
8 years for possesion in the uk. Normally just a warning though. Jailing kids for smoking weed. Thomas Jefferson must be rolling over in his grave.
The wild west is still preferable to "over-tax" and "over-regulate". If only, at minimum, they could legitimately write regulations that are ACTUALLY similar to alcohol, but that seems too much to ask for. Big money is now coming in to take advantage and write things their way.