cannabisnews.com: Initiative Won't Affect Marijuana Enforcement 





Initiative Won't Affect Marijuana Enforcement 
Posted by CN Staff on September 18, 2003 at 09:08:47 PT
By Michael Ko, Seattle Times Staff Reporter 
Source: Seattle Times
With misdemeanor marijuana possession accounting for fewer than 1 percent of all the cases filed by Seattle's city attorney last year, passage of the initiative will not affect how marijuana laws are enforced, Seattle Police and the city attorney said yesterday. Initiative 75, which was approved by almost 59 percent of voters, requires law-enforcement officials to make marijuana offenses their lowest priority if the marijuana is intended for adult personal use. 
"It's already one of our lowest priorities," said Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr. "I would suggest that not much is going to change." Misdemeanor marijuana possession, defined as 40 grams or less, accounted for approximately 100 of the 15,000 misdemeanor cases filed in Carr's office in 2002, said Kathryn Harper, the city attorney's spokeswoman. In 2001, there were 143 misdemeanor marijuana cases; in 2000, 199; and in 1999, 212. By comparison, there were about 1,500 driving-under-the-influence cases and about 1,500 domestic-violence cases in 2002. About 34 percent of the City Attorney's Office budget is directed toward domestic violence, which is Carr's No. 1 priority. Police spokesman Duane Fish said the overwhelming majority of marijuana cases are incidental, meaning that suspects are busted for marijuana possession only after they are caught committing a more serious offense such as shoplifting, domestic violence or drunken driving. Narcotics detectives generally do not conduct "buy raids" or undercover operations for personal-use amounts of marijuana, like they do for cocaine or heroin. When somebody is arrested solely for misdemeanor marijuana possession, police officers almost always write a report, cite the suspect and then let him or her go free. Detectives will still actively seek marijuana-growing operations and large-scale marijuana distribution rings, which are felony crimes, Fish said. "The priorities of the department haven't changed," Fish said. "The initiative was not designed for that. It's more a symbolic victory for the marijuana movement than anything." The primary concern for police is that the initiative might give the public the wrong message about marijuana enforcement. "Some adults are going to hear that the police are going to turn the other cheek, and that's not true," Fish said. "We cannot tell officers to ignore the law. Marijuana possession and use is still illegal." After the law becomes official, Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske will likely send out a memo, e-mail or in-house training video reminding officers of the status quo, Fish said. City Attorney Carr said he plans to do something similar for his staff. The initiative also calls for Seattle City Council President Peter Steinbrueck to appoint an 11-member panel to "assess the measure's effects and submit a comprehensive written report to the City Council." Steinbrueck said yesterday that he has no timeline or concrete plan yet for putting the panel together. The panel will consist of two City Council members, two citizens, two social-service providers, a representative from the Police Department, two criminal defense attorneys and representatives from the county prosecutor's and city attorney's offices. Source: Seattle Times (WA)Author: Michael Ko, Seattle Times Staff Reporter Published:  Thursday, September 18, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Seattle Times CompanyContact: opinion seatimes.comWebsite: http://www.seattletimes.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Sensible Seattle Coalition http://www.sensibleseattle.org/ Is I-75 Just Blowing Smoke? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17343.shtmlCzar Wars: White House Lectures Seattle on Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17342.shtmlSeattle Voters Favor Measure on Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17332.shtmlSeattle Votes To Make Marijuana Low Priorityhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17340.shtml
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Comment #7 posted by ekim on September 18, 2003 at 14:17:36 PT
Global please read Dick Cowans 
http://www.marijuananews.com
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Comment #6 posted by Global_warming on September 18, 2003 at 14:08:23 PT
It ain't over till the fat lady sings
Canada is making great strides, but wait till England in 2004, this will be all the buzz, if Brits can smoke recreationally, what are we, here in the "New World" ...going to wake up very quickly..I like to think of George W. Bush as a good God fearing Christian that has been duped by his godless advisors, I cannot forgive Richard Nixon, who through his disgrace had tarnished the highest American Office, through his biased and unforgivable ignorance, should never been allowed to rule this glorius land and people,..
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Comment #5 posted by Richard Paul Zuckerm on September 18, 2003 at 12:23:34 PT:
PREEMPTIVE DEFENSE TO OVERZEALOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT
The pot ordinance might help serve as a preemptive defense against Big Brother, especially as Canada plans their changes in law.
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Comment #4 posted by JSM on September 18, 2003 at 10:47:50 PT
Initiative
No matter what spin is put on this by the city attorney, "Pee Man" Walters, the Dea, the police or whatnot this is a major and symbolic victory and in American politics perception and symbolism rule. We will win this war against the forces of darkness and evil.
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Comment #3 posted by schmeff on September 18, 2003 at 10:47:33 PT
P.S.
I would have enjoyed Mr. Horsey's cartoon more if half of the java junkies were 'scruffy longhairs' and the cannabist was wearing a three-piece suit.
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Comment #2 posted by schmeff on September 18, 2003 at 09:53:24 PT
Police to Voters:
"When we want your opinion, we'll beat it out of you."               * * *Unrelated aside: I remember Officer Fish from "Barney Miller". I realize the WOsD provides job security for the law enFORCEment community, but this guy has to be really, really old by now. Maybe it's time for some well-deserved retirement. LOL
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 18, 2003 at 09:15:18 PT
Cartoon from Seattle P - I
David HorseySeattleites and their little addictionshttp://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20030918/cartoon20030918.gif
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