Prosecutors in Washington state’s King and Pierce counties are dismissing several hundred misdemeanor marijuana cases after last week’s historic vote to legalize the substance.
“Although the effective date of I-502 is not until December 6, there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month,” King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg said, according to the Seattle Times.
More than 220 cases, including 175 cases in King County, will be dismissed.
Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist said, “The people have spoken through this initiative. And as a practical matter, I don’t think you could sell a simple marijuana case to a jury after this initiative passed.”
Washington and Colorado became the first states to decriminalize personal possession of 1 ounce (28.5 grams) or less of marijuana. The federal government still deems the substance illegal and has yet to say what actions it might take.
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