On July 8, marijuana retailers will be able to open their doors in the state of Washington. Twenty should have licenses in hand by that date. But with those licenses will come new rules on labeling and a concern that there simply won’t be enough legal marijuana supply available. [Read more…]
Marijuana Retailers Fear Theft and Violence In Cash Business Without Banking Options
Carrying a small sum of cash on you is usually not cause for concern. But if you’ve ever withdrawn a couple thousand dollars, for a car down payment or other purchase, you know that walking around with that much dough can be a little intimidating. Imagine that feeling multiplied, a million times over, and you’ll have something similar to what those involved in the now-legal system of marijuana are experiencing. [Read more…]
Bill Would “Ban” Bans on Marijuana
Marijuana has been legalized for recreational use in the state of Washington for over a year. But in the fall-out of the November 2012 ballot passage, some cities and counties have scrambled to pass their own marijuana restrictions, hoping to keep pot from their locales. A new bill could stop those local measures, effectively banning bans on marijuana. [Read more…]
King County Judge Allows Glimpse Behind Bench
In March, King County Superior Court Judge Ronald Kessler made a mistake. He used the information available to him and made a judgment call that ultimately resulted in tragedy. For this, he was vilified by the media in Washington state and across the country. Feeling as if he had been treated unfairly by people who didn’t fully understand the law and his role within it, Kessler recently invited a reported from the Seattle Times to see just how a day in the life of a criminal court judge goes. [Read more…]
Officials Release Proposed Marijuana Legalization Rules
Everyone knew that voting would be the easy part of marijuana legalization. Now, six months after Washingtonians passed recreational marijuana legislation, we are beginning to get a clearer picture of how those laws will look in practice. Officials released proposed rules regarding recreational marijuana this week, and though they’ll likely change some, they offer a glimpse into how the law will be implemented. [Read more…]
Tacoma Police Ordered to Return Man’s Pot
When a judge sides with you, as a defendant in a criminal case, it can be a relief. It can even feel empowering if the judge goes so far as to call out the police or prosecutor on mistakes they made in your arrest and prosecution. So, one Tacoma man likely feels a little bit of smug pride in the way his marijuana case has unfolded. [Read more…]
Will May Day 2013 Protests Turn Ugly Like 2012?
May Day 2012 marked a day of protest around the world. In the U.S. these protests were particularly large in cities like New York, Oakland, and San Francisco. But the May Day activities in Seattle made front page news, not because of the large numbers or some positive change they effected, but because the failed and allegedly violent police response. [Read more…]
Officials Promise Crackdown on Marijuana Bars
When recreational marijuana was passed in November, people across the state of Washington sparked up in celebration. It was a little Wild West as marijuana users attempted to find where they could fit in with the new laws. As a result, private clubs were formed—something officials say breaks the law. [Read more…]
Washington Police Dogs Have Brutal Past
Police dogs are considered members of the force. Officers who handle them consider them both pet and partner. But when a police dog is known for brutal behavior, why isn’t he “fired”? Perhaps, like the police officers who train and handle them, police dogs are also above the law. [Read more…]
Washington Cops Arresting Drivers with “Green Tongue”
Things are a little up in the air in Washington these days—police want to hold on to their marijuana enforcement powers, but are at a loss on how to do so. Evidence of their confusion comes in the reports of several people being arrested for having a “green film” on their tongues, something the cops say is evidence of using marijuana. [Read more…]