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Marijuana decriminalised in Washington state | Marijuana decriminalised in Washington state |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Possession of marijuana has become legal in the US state of Washington, a month after voters opted for decriminalisation. | Possession of marijuana has become legal in the US state of Washington, a month after voters opted for decriminalisation. |
From midnight (08:00 GMT) anyone aged 21 and over was allowed to carry up to 1oz (28.4g) of cannabis, but smoking it in public will remain illegal. | From midnight (08:00 GMT) anyone aged 21 and over was allowed to carry up to 1oz (28.4g) of cannabis, but smoking it in public will remain illegal. |
It has been legal for medical use in the state since 1998. | It has been legal for medical use in the state since 1998. |
A law legalising gay marriage also came into effect in Washington state on Thursday. | A law legalising gay marriage also came into effect in Washington state on Thursday. |
On 6 November Washington, Maine and Maryland became the first US states to back same-sex marriage in a popular vote, and Washington is the first of those to enact the law. | On 6 November Washington, Maine and Maryland became the first US states to back same-sex marriage in a popular vote, and Washington is the first of those to enact the law. |
At midnight local time (08:00 GMT), a group of largely middle-aged people gathered amid reggae music in the city of Seattle to countdown to the marijuana legalisation taking effect, before sparking up. | |
Mixed messages | Mixed messages |
The celebration at the Space Needle attraction defied a key provision of the law, which forbids users from smoking the drug outside the privacy of their homes. | The celebration at the Space Needle attraction defied a key provision of the law, which forbids users from smoking the drug outside the privacy of their homes. |
But there were mixed messages from officials: hours earlier, Seattle's city attorney issued a warning that pot smoking in public would carry a $100 (£62) fine. | But there were mixed messages from officials: hours earlier, Seattle's city attorney issued a warning that pot smoking in public would carry a $100 (£62) fine. |
"If drinking in public is disallowed, so is smoking marijuana in public," Pete Holmes said. | |
However, the Seattle Police Department instructed its officers not to write citations for those smoking in public until further notice, instructing them to give a verbal warning instead. | |
The law also legalises possession of up to 16oz of solid cannabis-infused goods - such as brownies or cookies - and up to 72oz of weed in liquid form. | |
Ultimately, marijuana will be legally sold from state-licensed stores, and taxed at 25%. | Ultimately, marijuana will be legally sold from state-licensed stores, and taxed at 25%. |
However, there will be nowhere to purchase marijuana legally in Washington for at least another year, as the state has yet to set up the licensing system. | However, there will be nowhere to purchase marijuana legally in Washington for at least another year, as the state has yet to set up the licensing system. |
The Washington law also sets the standard for being charged with marijuana impairment while driving, similar to the blood-alcohol level. | The Washington law also sets the standard for being charged with marijuana impairment while driving, similar to the blood-alcohol level. |
'Uncharted water' | 'Uncharted water' |
It remains unclear how federal law enforcement agencies will deal with liberalisation of drug laws in Washington and - eventually - Colorado. | It remains unclear how federal law enforcement agencies will deal with liberalisation of drug laws in Washington and - eventually - Colorado. |
Colorado voters approved their own ballot measure in November. It is similar to the Washington law, but goes further by allowing individuals to grow small amounts for themselves. | |
The Colorado measure goes into effect on 5 January. | The Colorado measure goes into effect on 5 January. |
Any decision to crack down on states with liberal drug laws could affect Washington's plans to raise tax revenues from the licensed and controlled marijuana market. | Any decision to crack down on states with liberal drug laws could affect Washington's plans to raise tax revenues from the licensed and controlled marijuana market. |
Experts believe the taxation could bring the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year in new revenue, but the justice department has not said whether it will sue to block the regulatory schemes. | Experts believe the taxation could bring the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year in new revenue, but the justice department has not said whether it will sue to block the regulatory schemes. |
Backers of the Washington law insist it does not encourage or require anyone to break federal law. | Backers of the Washington law insist it does not encourage or require anyone to break federal law. |
But marijuana remains illegal under US law. That means federal agents can still arrest people for it, and it is banned from federal properties, including military bases and national parks. | But marijuana remains illegal under US law. That means federal agents can still arrest people for it, and it is banned from federal properties, including military bases and national parks. |
A regional federal prosecutor in the state, Jenny Durkan, said in a statement that "growing, selling or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal law", no matter what law comes into effect in Washington state. | |
The drug remained in the same category as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, she said, adding that only Congress could change that designation. | The drug remained in the same category as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, she said, adding that only Congress could change that designation. |