I-502, decriminalizing state marijuana possession under 1 oz., was approved by Washington voters.  The text of the new law is here. Some are wondering what this means in the short term for law enforcement.  In other words, what happens December 6th?  The Seattle Police Department promptly published a Police Blotter outlining some thoughts on the issue:SPD Police Blotter

The Blotter isn't legal advice and it doesn't say who provided the legal analysis, but it gives us some idea for how the new law is going to be interpreted.   Of course, there will be disagreement with some of the conclusions. 

For example: Is it legal under state law to possess less than an ounce of marijuana after December 6?  The Blotter says yes, but the new law has multiple requirements suggesting that conclusion is wrong. 

Not all marijuana becomes legal on December 6. What becomes legal is marijuana from a "validly licensed marijuana retailer."  Those retailers won't exist until sometime in late 2013. 

Arguably, there is no "legal" marijuana anywhere in Washington until these legal outlets are established.   While the use of medical marijuana is also permitted, the use of medical marijuana is a defense against conviction--not arrest.  Medical marijuana laws mean an officer can investigate the fact that an illegal substance is suspected and it doesn't invalidate probable cause to arrest.     The intersection between R-502 and Medical Marijuana laws is confusing, but police authority to arrest based on marijuana posssession probably still remains in place after December 6, 2012.  

As of October 21, 2011 - Methylone was banned under an Emergency DEA order.

The DEA proposes to placement of Methylone Into Schedule I permanently:

SUMMARY: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proposes placing 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone (methylone) including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible, into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This proposed action is pursuant to the CSA which requires that such actions be made on the record after opportunity for a hearing through formal rulemaking.

The complete text of the proposal can be found in the Federal Register here

Methylone is a relatively recent synthetic concoction that produces symptoms similar to several drug classifications, including amphetamines, cathinones, and entactogens (pychoactive drugs with particular qualities).  Users state this drug is similar to MDMA (ecstasy)-but not precisely--with more of a depressant effect.   Methylone is marketed over the internet and in drug shops in 5 ml tubes as a "room odorizer" under the name "Explosion."  The tubes cost between $13 and $17 each--far in excess of other products designed to actually mask odors.  

On December 4, 2012, the Mason County Sheriff's Office and the Mason County Target Zero DUI Task Force will host an 8 hour Motorcycle Enforcement and Safety training course.

The course will be held in Shelton, at 100 Public Works Drive.  If you wish to get additioal information or register for the course, please contact Target Zero Manager Michele Baumgart at 360.432.5143.

Note: This is NOT a TSRP event, so no per diem or lodging scholarships are available.

Crashes, Commercial Vehicles & Courts Webcast Series presents

"Masking and Other State Court Challenges"

The  National Center for State Courts is pleased to announce a series of six webcasts addressing critical commercial driving issues facing state courts.  

Join the Commercial Driving Resource Center for the first webcast in the monthly series entitled, "Masking and Other State Courts Challenges" to be broadcast on October 17 at 2:00 p.m. EST.

This webcast series is funded by a grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the Department of Transportation.  (Because this is not a TSRP-sponsored webinar, we will not be applying for CLE credits for this webinar.)

Register: http://survey.confirmit.com/wix2/p2288591532.aspx

Sign up for MADD Washington's 5k Walk Like MADD on October 13, 2012 at Seattle Center Founders Court.  Join a team!  Build a new Team!  But be there!!

For more information visit: www.walklikemadd.org/seattle. 

Amy Freedheim, traffic crimes prosecutor for King County, was interviewed and honored for her work in Vehicular Crimes.  She deserves every bit of the acknowlegement!  THANK YOU AMY!

A link to the full article can be seen here.    

Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: An On-the-Scene Reference for First Responders

To get this On-the-Scene Reference, you can:

The flipbook is a companion piece to Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for First Responders, Second Edition.

On Tuesday July 31, 2012, President Obama named his "Champions of Change" for 2012.  Our own Lowell Porter was honored to be listed for his work as Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, as former Chief of the Washington State Patrol, and now his work on the Governors Highway Safety Association.   Congratulations Lowell! 

To see the full press release, go here. 

NCSA Traffic Safety Fact Sheet “2010 Rural/Urban Comparison” (DOT-HS-811-637):  In 2010, there were 30,196 fatal crashes resulting in 32,885 fatalities. Rural areas accounted for 54 percent (16,292) of the fatal crashes and 55 percent (18,026) of the fatalities as compared to urban areas which accounted for 45 percent (13,608) of the fatal crashes and 44 percent (14,546) of the fatalities.  http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811637.pdf

NCSA Research Note “Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Quarter (January – March) of 2012” (DOT-HS-811-642):  This Research Note provides a statistical projection of traffic fatalities for the first quarter of 2012.  Data shows that an estimated 7,630 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the first quarter of 2012.  This represents a significant increase of about 13.5 percent as compared to the 6,720 fatalities that were projected to have occurred in the first quarter of 2011.    http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811642.pdf

“MMUCC Guideline Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria Fourth Edition” (DOT-HS -811-631):   Statewide motor vehicle traffic crash data systems provide the basic information necessary for effective highway and traffic safety efforts at any level of government – local, State, or Federal. State crash data are used to perform problem identification, establish goals and performance measures, allocate resources, determine the progress of specific programs, and support the development and evaluation of highway and vehicle safety countermeasures. The purpose of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) is to provide a dataset for describing crashes of motor vehicles in transport that will generate the information necessary to improve highway safety within each State and nationally.   http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811631.pdf

NCSA Traffic Safety Fact Sheet "2010 Overview”  (DOT-HS-811-630), The 2010 Overview Traffic Safety Fact Sheet provides an “overview” of many of NCSA’s current Traffic Safety Fact Sheets produced such as, alcohol-impaired driving, speeding, pedestrian, pedalcyclists, motorcyclists, large trucks, children and other fatality data.   http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811630.pdf