Washington State Bar endorses pot decriminalization proposal

This may be a little out of date, but it does mention HB2401.

Reviewing a proposed change in law, the Washington State Bar Association has endorsed a proposal that would see marijuana possession by adults punishable only as a civil infraction similar to a speeding ticket.

In a vote earlier this month, the bar's board of governors voted unanimously to support Senate Bill 5615, mirrored in House Bill 2401. Two of the board's 11 members abstained.

If passed, the change would see adults caught with less than 40 grams of marijuana issued a civil infraction carrying a $100 penalty. Juveniles would continue to face misdemeanor charges, as adults currently do.

Proponents of the change argue that the law as it stands is an undue infringement on personal liberty and a waste of taxpayer money. They claim, according to a legislative summary, that local governments spent $7.6 million in 2007 to jail 11,000 people arrested for simple marijuana possession.

During a hearing earlier this year, opponents of the change argued that relaxing marijuana laws would encourage drug use among children.

Per the summary of testimony in opposition:

Long-term studies on patterns of drug usage among young people show that very few young people get started on more serious drugs without having used marijuana first. Therefore, marijuana is a precursor drug. People who use marijuana are more likely to use cocaine than those who have never used marijuana. Youth might perceive marijuana usage as a less serious drug if this legislation is passed and fell freer to use it which would lead to more serious drug use.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure during the 2009 legislative session but the bill did not come up for a floor vote. State Rep. Mary Helen Roberts, a proponent of drug law reform, questioned her colleagues willingness to address the issue in the upcoming session.

Washington State Bar endorses pot decriminalization proposal