Hundreds of marijuana enthusiasts huddled near Seattle's famed Space Needle tower last night with pipes, bongs and hand-rolled joints to celebrate Washington's new status as the first US state to legalise the drug for adult recreational use.
The public gathering at the downtown Seattle, like a smaller turnout at a nearby spot hours earlier, defied a key provision of the state's landmark marijuana law, which allows possession of small amounts of cannabis but forbids users from lighting up outside the privacy of their homes.
Police kept their distance from both gatherings, underscoring mixed law enforcement messages about the new statute, known by its ballot designation as Initiative 502. The measure took effect yesterday.
Seattle's city attorney issued a stern warning that public marijuana puffing would not be tolerated and that violators faced citations with $100 fines.
But the Seattle police department said its officers had been directed to limit any enforcement actions related to Initiative 502 to verbal warnings only, at least for now.
The new law, passed by voters last month in a move that could set the state up for a showdown with the federal government, removes criminal sanctions for anyone 21 or older possessing 1 ounce (28.5 grams) or less of pot for personal use.
Source: Irish Times, 07/12/2012
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