There seems to be a lot of worry about the new law in Washington and Colorado and how it's going to work. Hopefully this clears some things up and keep in mind this is just how I understand it. Below is a link to the measure as it stands now: http://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/i502.pdf Basically it works like this growers (producers) can not grow for personal use they can only sell to processors. the growers pay a 25% tax on all profits made from the sale to the processor. The processor then takes the raw material and makes it into a product so basically packaged buds, boxes of joints, hash, oils, edibles ect, they then sell the packaged product to a licensed retailer. They pay a 25% tax on the profits from the sale to the retailer. The retailer then sells it to you, the consumer and can only sell the max amount of product that the liquor control board will determine to be by dec of 2013. The retailer pays a 25% tax on the profits made from the sale to you the consumer. As long as all these taxes are being paid, you the consumer are over 21 and not in possession of more then whatever amount the liquor board determines a consumer can posses by the end of next year then you will not be breaking any laws and the feds will not mess with you. As long as you abide by the aforementioned the state authorities have no grounds to arrest you as well. The main reason the dispensaries here in Washington were raided from what I understand and I could be way off on this but I believe it was for tax evasion, so as long as producers, processors and retailers have paid their $250 app fee and $1000 annual fee and are each paying the 25% tax then there is no reason for the fed to get involved with the retail process. Now, if you try to grow your own for personal use which will stil be illegal just like having your own distillery and brewing your own booze then depending on the amount you are growing you would more likely be raided by local law enforcement then you would the feds. So, as long as you are buying your weed from a legit retail outlet and not growing it yourself and not carrying more then allowed you're golden. Hope this helps!
I think it's crap that residents can't grow a minimal number of plants for personal use. What if I want to be sure of the quality/ What if I want organic? What if I don't trust Monsanto to keep their evil out of my good herb? eta: granted, I'm not in WA yet, that's a couple years down the line for my family (and has been in the cards for a while, so we're not moving *because* of the weed, its just a lovely benefit)
Also when a cop tests you for THC concentration, THC concentration" means nanograms of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter of a person's whole blood. THC concentration does not include measurement of the metabolite THC-COOH, also known as carboxy-THC which stays in your system for a long time. A lot of people were misinformed about this and as a result voted no for i502.
Here's a practical guide for what the Seattle Police Department believes I-502 means for you, beginning December 6th, based on the department's current understanding of the initiative Please keep in mind that this is all subject to review and revision by the state attorney general, and King County Prosecutor's office: Can I legally carry around an ounce of marijuana? According to the recently passed initiative, beginning December 6th, adults over the age of 21 will be able to carry up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. Please note that the initiative says it “is unlawful to open a package containing marijuana…in view of the general public,†so there's that. Also, you probably shouldn't bring pot with you to the federal courthouse (or any other federal property). Well, where can I legally buy pot, then? The Washington State Liquor Control Board is working to establish guidelines for the sale and distribution of marijuana. The WSLCB has until December 1, 2013 to finalize those rules. Can I grow marijuana in my home and sell it to my friends, family, and co-workers? As long as you're a licensed grower and seller, yes. If you're a medical marijuana patient, the rules on growing haven't changed. Can I smoke pot outside my home? Like at a park, magic show, or the Bite of Seattle? Much like having an open container of alcohol in public, doing so could result in a civil infraction-like a ticket-but not arrest. You can certainly use marijuana in the privacy of your own home. Additionally, if smoking a cigarette isn't allowed where you are (say, inside an apartment building or flammable chemical factory), smoking marijuana isn't allowed there either. Will police officers be able to smoke marijuana? As of right now, no. This is still a very complicated issue. If I apply for a job at the Seattle Police Department, will past (or current) marijuana use be held against me? The current standard for applicants is that they have not used marijuana in the previous three years. In light of I-502, the department is consulting with the city's employment law division and the state attorney general to see if and how that standard may be revised. What happens if I get pulled over and an officer thinks I've been smoking pot? If an officer believes you're driving under the influence of anything, they will conduct a field sobriety test and may consult with a drug recognition expert. If officers establish probable cause, they will bring you to a precinct and ask your permission to draw your blood for testing. If officers have reason to believe you're under the influence of something, they can get a warrant for a blood draw from a judge. If you're in a serious accident, then a blood draw will be mandatory. What happens if I get pulled over and I'm sober, but an officer or his K9 buddy smells the ounce of Super Skunk I've got in my trunk? Under state law, officers have to develop probable cause to search a closed or locked container. Each case stands on its own, but the smell of pot alone will not be reason to search a vehicle. If officers have information that you're trafficking, producing or delivering marijuana in violation of state law, they can get a warrant to search your vehicle. SPD seized a bunch of my marijuana before I-502 passed. Can I have it back? No. Will SPD assist federal law enforcement in investigations of marijuana users or marijuana-related businesses, which are legal, at the state level, under I-502? No. Officers and detectives will not participate in an investigation of anything that's allowed by state law. December 6th seems like a really long ways away. What happens if I get caught with marijuana before then? Hold your breath. Your case will be processed under current state statute. However, there is already a city statute making marijuana enforcement the lowest law enforcement priority. I'm under 21. What happens if I get caught smoking pot? It's a violation of state law. It'll be referred to prosecutors, just like if you were a minor in possession of alcohol. But, again, marijuana enforcement is still the lowest law enforcement priority in Seattle. This is all still under review and we're still awaiting advisement from the state attorney general.
Anyone live near Kent, WA.? I'm new here and would love to talk to some people around me about the legality and regulations as they might occur.