Seattle Cop Issues 66 Marijuana Tickets In Six Months


A Seattle cop reportedly issued 66 marijuana tickets is a period of six months. Although the number may not seem unusually high, the officer was responsible for 80 percent of all marijuana tickets issued by the Seattle Police Department.

Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole admits the officer was somewhat overzealous. According to the department’s “biannual report on marijuana enforcement,” the Seattle Police Department issued a total of 83 tickets in the first half of 2014. A vast majority were issued by one particular officer.

Washington state legalized the recreational use and sale of marijuana in 2012. However, the use of marijuana in public places is prohibited. As reported by Huffington Post, the biannual report was developed to avoid and detect “anomalies or outliers” in enforcement of the law.

The report revealed two troubling anomalies. It appears that one Seattle cop issued most of the marijuana tickets — and a large portion of the recipients were black. Although only 8 percent of Seattle’s residents are black, 36 percent of the marijuana tickets were issued to black residents.

As reported by Time, Chief O’Toole is further concerned, as the officer included questionable “notes” with some of the tickets. On one ticket he indicated that the state’s decision to decriminalize marijuana was “silly.” On another, he admittedly “flipped a coin when contemplating which subject to cite.”

O’Toole said the officer was reported to the division’s Office of Professional Accountability. She further confirmed that the officer was removed from patrol duties pending the outcome of the internal investigation.

Although Washington decriminalized marijuana in 2012, recreational marijuana stores were not permitted to open before July 8 this year. Currently, there are 24 stores that were approved and licensed by the state.

Consultant Mark Kleiman admits “Washington has taken the slow road to opening retail outlets.” However, he explained that many existing medical outlets were “‘grandfathered’ into commercial outlets.”

Although recreational marijuana use was approved by a majority of voters, there will likely be a period of adjustment. As with any new law, it will take time to identify and remedy any negative repercussions.

Washington state and Colorado are unique, as they are the only states to decriminalize the recreational use of marijuana. Advocates have applauded the new laws. However, critics are leery.

The sale of recreational marijuana is expected to generate significant revenue, in the form of taxes, for both states. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict the potentially negative impact.

It is unsettling that one Seattle cop issued a majority of all marijuana tickets. However, the biannual reports are expected to help authorities identify similar issues before they get out of hand.

[Image via Shutterstock]

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