Roosevelt HS Street Law Ashley Sherwood & Drew
Pearsall
Slide 2
Summer 2011: Submitted to WA Sec. of State w/ 341,000
signatures. April 2012: WA Legislature adjourned w/ no action.
November 2012: Advanced to General Ballot. November 6, 2012: I-502
approved by popular vote (approx. 56% YES 44% NO).
Slide 3
Federal LawWA State Law Possession?ILLEGAL Marijuana is still a
Schedule I controlled substance under federal law and subject to
prosecution. ILLEGAL if youre under 21 years old! LEGAL in certain
amounts if 21 or older! Amount?ILLEGAL Possession of any amount of
marijuana may still be subject to prosecution. LEGAL to carry up to
one ounce of marijuana for personal use. DUIs?ILLEGAL Cant use
marijuana so cant drive under the influence of it. SIMILAR TO
ALCOHOL DUIS I-502 sets a limit of 5 ng/mL of THC level for driving
under influence of marijuana.
Slide 4
Slide 5
Can you smoke pot outside of your home? Like at a park or the
Bite of Seattle? CIVIL INFRACTION Does I-502 affect current medical
marijuana laws? NO the same guidelines under state laws. If Im over
21, can I just go anywhere and buy it? NO WSLCB has until Dec. 1,
2013 to implement the states permitting and sale program. Until
then, it might not be illegal to have it, but its illegal to buy
it!
Slide 6
What if you pull me over and smell marijuana? NO Not addressed
specifically by I-502 but SPD says the smell of marijuana alone may
not necessarily be enough to search vehicle! What about drug dogs?
SPD has not decided what to do. What about the fact that dogs cant
distinguish between your legal 1 ounce and larger amounts?