By The Associated Press
SEATTLE — Prosecutors in Washington’s largest counties are dropping all pending misdemeanor cases of marijuana possession after voters legalized the drug.
King County prosecutor Dan Satterberg announced Friday his office is dropping 175 misdemeanor cases of marijuana.
Satterberg says “there is no point in continuing to seek criminal penalties for conduct that will be legal next month.”
The cases affected involve individuals over 21 who possessed one ounce or less of marijuana.
Pierce County prosecutor Mark Lindquist told the Associated Press his office will do the same. He didn’t have the number of cases affected available.
Under Initiative 502, possession of an ounce or less of marijuana is legal for people 21 years or older. The initiative overwhelmingly passed on Tuesday with 55 percent of the vote.
