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posted by takyon on Friday September 28 2018, @09:20PM   Printer-friendly
from the retroactive-ingredient dept.

Seattle throws out pot convictions:

Judges in Seattle have decided to quash convictions for marijuana possession for anyone prosecuted in the city between 1996 and 2010. City Attorney Pete Holmes asked the court to take the step "to right the injustices of a drug war that has primarily targeted people of colour."

Possession of marijuana became legal in the state of Washington in 2012.

Officials estimate that more than 542 people could have their convictions dismissed by mid-November.

Mr Holmes said the city should "take a moment to recognise the significance" of the court's ruling. "We've come a long way, and I hope this action inspires other jurisdictions to follow suit," he said. Mayor Jenny Durkan also welcomed the ruling, which she said would offer residents a "clean slate."

Order (PDF).

Also at CNN and The Hill.

See also: Vacating misdemeanor marijuana convictions is the right thing to do (Editorial)


Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 2) by jelizondo on Friday September 28 2018, @09:45PM (4 children)

    by jelizondo (653) Subscriber Badge on Friday September 28 2018, @09:45PM (#741559) Journal

    I hate people who think it is their business what I do to myself in my own home. Kind of fine drinking alcohol, big no to maryjean. With all the other shit going 'round the US of A, I'm happy to see some sanity regarding the possesion of a drug.

    Had some mj in his pocket, must be a criminal! As the French anarchist (forgot his name) told the judge when he was found carrying a knife and was accused of possessing an instrument that could be used to commit a crime, he was also carrying the instrument needed to commit rape.

    Mere possession should have never been a crime, except for the busybodies that believe everyone should be choir boy and be molested by a priest.

    Starting Score:    1  point
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 28 2018, @10:00PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 28 2018, @10:00PM (#741567)

    What

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 29 2018, @12:49AM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 29 2018, @12:49AM (#741629)

      Somebody set up us the bomb.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 29 2018, @04:32AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 29 2018, @04:32AM (#741698)

        We get signal

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 28 2018, @10:38PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 28 2018, @10:38PM (#741577)

    I don't personally like possession charges, at bare minimum the prosecutor should have to be able to prove that the defendant was aware of the possession and didn't get rid of the contraband or that the accused intended to acquire or distribute it.

    That being said, in Seattle the law against marijuana had largely been ignored for a period even before the state law was changed legalizing it under state law. So, anybody who was actually charged during that period had it coming. Still probably better for everybody to wipe that section of people's records as it doesn't really mean much now that it's legall.