Several prosecutors dropping misdemeanor marijuana possession cases

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Clark County prosecutor is joining other prosecutors around the state in dropping misdemeanor marijuana possession cases in the wake of voters legalizing the recreational use of the drug. Prosecutor Tony Golik says his office will dismiss all cases that fit the requirements of the new law — those where the defendants are at least age 21 and the quantity of marijuana was less than 1 ounce. Initiative 502, which legalizes marijuana use of 1 ounce or less in Washington, goes into effect December 6. Last week King and Pierce county prosecutors said they were dropping similar cases. Golik told the Columbian that the dismissals are “straight-up possession cases.” Golik couldn’t estimate the number of cases affected by his decision.