King, Pierce counties dropping marijuana cases

SEATTLE — Misdemeanor cases of marijuana possession will be dropped in Washington’s largest counties after voters legalized the drug, prosecutors said Friday.

King County was dropping 175 cases, prosecutor Dan Satterberg said. Pierce County prosecutor Mark Lindquist said his office will do the same, but he didn’t immediately know the number of cases affected.

Under Initiative 502, possession of an ounce or less of marijuana will be legal for people 21 years or older after Dec. 6. The initiative passed Tuesday with 55 percent of the vote.

“Although the effective date of I-502 is not until Dec. 6, there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month,” Satterberg said in a statement.

The cases in King County involve people over 21 who possessed one ounce or less of marijuana. Dropping those pot cases won’t ease caseload, said prosecutor’s office spokesman Dan Donohoe, noting that 6,700 misdemeanor cases were tried in 2011.

Lindquist cautioned, however, that cases of possession of marijuana linked to other charges, such as drunken driving for example, would proceed. The cases affected are solely marijuana possession, he said.

In Snohomish County, chief criminal deputy prosecutor Joan Cavagnaro said her office is in a “holding pattern.” A call to the Spokane County prosecutor’s office was not immediately returned.

Along with Washington, Colorado legalized recreational use of marijuana Tuesday. A legalization measure was defeated in Oregon.

Besides de-criminalizing possession, Washington’s initiative also sets up a state-run regulatory system that will license growing and stores to sell marijuana.

State officials, however, are awaiting a response on the initiative from the federal government, which still considers the drug illegal and could intervene in court.

Some legal experts believe that the de-criminalization provision in the law could survive a legal challenge.

“The parts that are more likely to be enjoined are probably the parts where you got states actually authorizing the growing, the sales — with pretty direct conflict with federal law,” said Mary Fan, a University of Washington law professor and former federal prosecutor.

Earlier this week, the Seattle Police Department said it was not arresting people for marijuana possession.

Seattle defense attorney Steve Karimi commended Satterberg for setting an example and following the will of the people on this issue.

Karimi, who says 15 to 20 percent of his cases involve marijuana, predicted prosecutors in smaller counties may not be as cooperative and forward-thinking.

Case law is not crystal clear on whether marijuana cases can still be effectively prosecuted after the law changes, he said, adding that most alcohol possession cases evaporated when Prohibition ended.

Misdemeanor possession cases may not seem like a big deal to the general public, but Karimi noted the results can be disastrous for people who have certain jobs, such as teachers. Immigrants also have been deported over possession convictions, he noted.

———

Associated Press writer Donna Gordon Blankinship contributed to this report.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.