WILD LIFE -- Hikers and hunters have joked that the safest way to travel in grizzly country is to bring along a companion you can out-run.

Turns out, the same holds true for pot smokers.

During a routine patrol to look for illegal fishing activity along the Spokane River last week, Washington Fish and Wildlife police officer Paul Mosman lost a foot race to two out of three college students near Gonzaga after they spotted him sneaking up on them while they were enjoying some recreational marijuana. 

"They decided to make a break for it and the slow one lost," reported Capt. Mike Whorton.  "There is some truth to the phrase 'You only have to run faster than slowest person.'