City of Redmond taking a ‘wait-and-see’ approach with pot policy and regulations

Published 11:01 am Friday, December 14, 2012

Thanks to the passing of Initiative 502, it is now legal for adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use in the state of Washington.

The law took effect Dec. 6 and in its wake, has raised questions regarding policy and regulation in jurisdictions statewide including the City of Redmond as it is still against federal law to possess cannabis.

Redmond Mayor John Marchione said there are no laws regarding buying or selling marijuana, which makes it difficult to create any kind of policy.

“Until these major questions get answered, we’re taking a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude,” he said.

Marchione said definite action would be taken if a Redmond officer encounters an individual in possession of marijuana and the officer suspects there is more going on such as the individual appearing impaired. But this adds more questions, as well.

“We don’t even know how to measure impairment,” Marchione said.

Jim Bove, spokesperson for the Redmond Police Department (RPD), said they will continue to enforce laws as they pertain to residents, but like the mayor, the police also need to figure out how to approach the issue.

“This is new ground for everyone involved, so we’ll continue to work with our attorneys and prosecutors as we ‘weed’ through the process,” Bove said in an email to the Reporter.

State Rep. Roger Goodman, who represents the 45th Legislative District, which includes parts of Redmond, has supported the legalization of marijuana but acknowledged that, “the hard work has just begun.”

“Until our new regulations are in place, people need to know it’s still illegal to grow or sell cannabis, unless you’re a qualified medical cannabis patient getting it from authorized collective gardens and their access points,” he said.

As the state Legislature works to develop a system to control marijuana, Goodman said they need citizens’ ideas, as well as their patience.

“This is the first time in world history that we have a chance to regulate cannabis in a proper and thoughtful way, and I know we’ll do it right…Washington state has some of the smartest, most creative and courageous people in the world, and I’m confident we’ll find innovative ways of making Initiative 502 work for everyone.” he said.

Goodman added that the federal government “would also be wise to back off” and not interfere with Washington lawmakers’ “inherent authority to protect the health, welfare and safety of our people.”

“We will show America and the world how it’s safer and smarter to regulate cannabis as we do alcohol,” he said. “Neither drug is for kids, and just as it’s illegal to drink in public or drink and drive, people need to know they can’t smoke pot in public, or do so and get behind the wheel.”