Transcript Initiative 502: - University of Washington School of Law

Roosevelt HS · Street Law
Ashley Sherwood & Drew Pearsall
 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).
Federal Law
WA State Law
ILLEGAL – Marijuana is
still a Schedule I
controlled substance
under federal law and
subject to prosecution.
ILLEGAL if you’re under 21
years old!
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.
DUI’s?
ILLEGAL – Can’t use
marijuana so can’t drive
under the influence of it.
SIMILAR TO ALCOHOL
DUI’S – I-502 sets a limit
of 5 ng/mL of THC level
for driving under
influence of marijuana.
Possession?
LEGAL in certain amounts
if 21 or older!
 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 I’m over 21, can I just go anywhere and buy it?
 NO – WSLCB has until Dec. 1, 2013 to implement the
state’s permitting and sale program. Until then, it might
not be illegal to have it, but it’s illegal to buy it!
 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 can’t distinguish between your legal 1 ounce
and larger amounts?
CRIMINAL LAW