Cops’ Guide to Pot (Seattle Style)

Washington made pot legal thanks to the passing of I-502 in the recent election, and now the cops have to deal with it, and Washingtonians have to deal with the cops. Luckily Seattle PD has made a handy FAQ called  Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattlle to help.

The advice includes:

Can I smoke pot outside my home? Like at a park, magic show, or the Bite of Seattle?

Much like having an open container of alcohol in public, doing so could result in a civil infraction—like a ticket—but not arrest. You can certainly use marijuana in the privacy of your own home. Additionally, if smoking a cigarette isn’t allowed where you are (say, inside an apartment building or flammable chemical factory), smoking marijuana isn’t allowed there either.

Will police officers be able to smoke marijuana?

As of right now, no. This is still a very complicated issue

What happens if I get pulled over and I’m sober, but an officer or his K9 buddy smells the ounce of Super Skunk I’ve got in my trunk?

Under state law, officers have to develop probable cause to search a closed or locked container. Each case stands on its own, but the smell of pot alone will not be reason to search a vehicle. If officers have information that you’re trafficking, producing or delivering marijuana in violation of state law, they can get a warrant to search your vehicle.

SPD seized a bunch of my marijuana before I-502 passed. Can I have it back?

No.

For the full page including a video clip from Lord of the Rings of Gandalf and Bilbo Baggins smoking “the finest weed” go to the Seattle Police Department web page.