cannabisnews.com: Attorney To Dismiss Cases of Pot Possession
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Attorney To Dismiss Cases of Pot Possession
Posted by CN Staff on January 16, 2010 at 07:29:18 PT
By Emily Heffter, Seattle Times Staff Reporter
Source: Seattle Times
Seattle, WA -- Seattle's new city attorney is dismissing all marijuana-possession cases, starting with those that were already under way under the old city attorney.City Attorney Pete Holmes, who beat incumbent Tom Carr in November, said he dismissed two marijuana-related cases in his first day on the job, and several others are about to be dismissed.
In addition, his new criminal division chief, Craig Sims, said he is reviewing about 50 more cases. Unless there are "out of the ordinary circumstances," Sims said, the office doesn't intend to file charges for marijuana possession."We're not going to prosecute marijuana-possession cases anymore," Holmes said Thursday during a public interview as part of Town Hall's Nightcap series. "I meant it when I said it" during the campaign.Seattle voters approved Referendum 75 in 2003, making marijuana the lowest priority for local law enforcement. City records show that Carr still prosecuted many cases.In the first six months of 2009, Carr declined eight of the 62 marijuana-related cases filed with his office, a city report shows. Of the cases he took up, marijuana was the only charge in 21 cases. In the second half of 2008, Carr dismissed 21 marijuana-related cases and filed 60 others. Of those, marijuana possession was the only charge in 20 cases.Holmes' policy change comes amid several state-level efforts to decriminalize or legalize marijuana.A ballot initiative filed Monday would legalize adult marijuana possession, manufacturing and sales in the state. The Legislature is also considering two bills to decriminalize and regulate marijuana, or to make it legal in the state.The drug would remain illegal under federal law.Source: Seattle Times (WA)Author: Emily Heffter, Seattle Times Staff ReporterPublished: January 15, 2010Copyright: 2010 The Seattle Times CompanyContact: opinion seatimes.comWebsite: http://www.seattletimes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/k8wo8YifCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by RastaMoses on January 17, 2010 at 01:34:50 PT:
Mike
It feels good doesn't it? We have a clear opening but we still need a final push. The votes on the west coast this year to legalize need to produce results somewhere (California, Washington). That could really turn the tide. We're still not over the mountain, but we could be coasting downhill by next year. Jah willing.
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Comment #11 posted by MikeC on January 16, 2010 at 23:24:50 PT
RastaMoses...
Well said. You are spot on with your comments. The prohibitionists have run out of ammo! 
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Comment #10 posted by RastaMoses on January 16, 2010 at 22:45:40 PT:
Universer
All true Universer, but things are much different now. Back then they could demonize us as freaks or hippies (both of which I consider a compliment). Nowadays it's clear that we come from every stratus of society. And the ridiculous excuses for prohibition have all run their course. The war is over. Even the staunchest of prohibitionists are quiet to all of our recent victories. Not to say that it's all downhill sleddin from here, we still need to keep up the pressure. But for the first time, we are stronger then the opposition.When life gives you lemons....smoke lemon haze!
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 16, 2010 at 19:47:50 PT
Universer
We have a window of opportunity under Obama. I agree the window could slam shut. The people who always want to trip us up will work hard to keep tripping us up. Do we help keep Democrats in power or do we let the Republicans run over us again? It's up to us.
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Comment #8 posted by Universer on January 16, 2010 at 18:16:22 PT
All Good. But.
This is indubitably a positive. Shittles, wish I lived 'round Seattle-way.But.I persistently hear in my ears the words of a dear and smoky older friend, who spoke of a time in the 1970s when there was much assurance that it was just a matter of a little time, that names for strands were being trademarked, that they'd be openly dragging on front porches.Then the 1980s, and Nancy Reagan, and scandals in sports, and DARE, and This Is Your Brain On Drugs, and Just Say No.The momentum we have now is no guarantee of future momentum, especially given the dire political climate for Democrats heading into November.It is up to us to avoid any inclination to rest on laurels and keep it up, keep it up, keep it up.When you're running a race, you run hard all the way through and past the goal.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 16, 2010 at 12:24:05 PT
MikeC 
Yes, we are making progress under President Obama. It's like a heavy burden has lifted and we are free to go forward without fear.
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Comment #6 posted by MikeC on January 16, 2010 at 11:05:19 PT
Wow...
I would have laughed at you if you told me I'd be reading news like this today just a couple of years ago.We are really making incredible progress under President Obama.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 16, 2010 at 10:55:33 PT
The Accelerating End Of Prohibition
January 16, 2010URL: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/01/the-accelerating-end-of-prohibition.html
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Comment #4 posted by Hope on January 16, 2010 at 09:31:00 PT
Oh my gosh!
Oh my gosh!This is wonderful.My soul is rejoicing, jumping up and down, and clapping, shouting, "Hooray! Hooray!", and "Thank you! Thank you!"
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Comment #3 posted by HempWorld on January 16, 2010 at 08:31:00 PT
It's finally happening ...
finally!
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 16, 2010 at 08:24:40 PT
La La La La La
I'm singing along with you The GCW!
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on January 16, 2010 at 08:08:34 PT
CHORUS
ALL TOGETHER NOW!"We're not going to prosecute marijuana-possession cases anymore," This time in 420 part harmony!"We're not going to prosecute marijuana-possession cases anymore," One more time!"We're not going to prosecute marijuana-possession cases anymore," 
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