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53°Medical marijuana
Summary
In 1998, Washington voters approved a law allowing state residents to legally purchase, possess and use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
But the law is vague, creating problems for users and law enforcement. At issue is the legal phrase “only one patient at any one time,” regarding the sale of marijuana from a care provider.
Marijuana advocates argue the law allows dispensaries to essentially become the care provider for the limited time when they sell to each licensed marijuana card holder.
Spokane County law enforcement officials have a different interpretation. Prosecutors say the law makes no provision for commercial dispensaries or the sale of marijuana.
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Latest updates in this topic
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Vestal: Medical marijuana dispensaries don’t seem like big threat
September 17, 2010 in City on Page A7 It’s time to de-stupidify medical marijuana. Earlier this month, the local gendarmes once again expended a bunch of time and effort bringing down a medical marijuana dispensary. If someone breaks … 15
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Medical marijuana dispensary owner faces drug charges
September 15, 2010 in City on Page A5 A Greenacres man who operated a medical marijuana dispensary about 100 feet from a Washington State Patrol office could face felony drug charges in the latest example of Spokane County’s … 20
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Deputies raid pot shop near state patrol office
September 14, 2010 in City A Greenacres man who operated a medical marijuana dispensary about 100 feet from a Washington State Patrol office could face felony drug charges in the latest example of Spokane County’s … 7
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Idaho GOP move to define marriage to exclude transgenders
June 25, 2010 in Idaho Idaho doesn’t recognize gay or lesbian marriage, but some Republicans want the state to go a step further. 18
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Marijuana business in Montana targeted with firebomb
May 10, 2010 in Region Someone threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of a Billings medical marijuana business early Monday and spray-painted “NOT IN OUR TOWN” on its storefront, the second such act in … 10
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Western Wash. pot activist denied guns after shootout
March 30, 2010 in Region A medical marijuana activist who nearly killed an intruder in his home during a shootout this month has been barred from buying guns because he’s a pot patient, according to … 12
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385 plants at Wash. pot activist’s burgled home
March 16, 2010 in Region Sheriff’s deputies said they found 385 marijuana plants at the home of an outspoken medical marijuana activist who nearly killed a robber in a shootout this week. It’s not clear … 8
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Washington medical pot activist shoots robber
March 15, 2010 in Region A well-known Washington state medical marijuana activist traded gunfire with robbers who invaded his Kirkland home early Monday, suffering minor shotgun pellet wounds and sending one intruder to the intensive … 16
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Spokane police say marijuana growers didn’t have permit
March 12, 2010 in City on Page A7 Two men authorities describe as “hiding behind the medical marijuana law” were arrested early Thursday during a raid at a home in north Spokane. 2
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Wash. Senate allows more to OK medical marijuana
February 5, 2010 in City More medical professionals will be allowed to authorize the use of medical marijuana for qualified patients under a measure approved by the Washington state Senate. 4
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Singer of true substance always takes the high road
February 2, 2010 in City on Page A5 Reforming America’s pot laws has a good buzz going. Medical marijuana, for example, has broad popular support among the ill-and-achy baby boomer masses. 2
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Washington court disallows medical pot defense
January 22, 2010 in City on Page A9 SEATTLE – A doctor’s permission to use medical marijuana doesn’t preclude police from arresting a patient or searching his home, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The court upheld … 1
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Wash. court: Doctor’s pot OK doesn’t preclude search
January 21, 2010 in Region A doctor’s permission to use medical marijuana doesn’t preclude police from arresting a patient or searching his home, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled Thursday. 4
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Legislators weigh legalizing marijuana v. decriminalizing it
January 13, 2010 in City While the Legislature wrestles with a huge budget shortfall that forces hearings on everything from closing state institutions to raising college tuition, the most heavily attended hearing Wednesday involved a … 17
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Federal changes won’t affect local cases
October 20, 2009 in City on Page A1 New orders from the U.S Justice Department to end federal prosecution of state-authorized medical marijuana patients and dispensaries will have no effect on cases in Eastern Washington, prosecutors said Monday. … 5
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New federal orders have no effect on Spokane pot raids
October 19, 2009 in News New orders from the U.S Justice Department to end federal prosecution of state-authorized medical marijuana patients and dispensaries will have no effect on cases in Eastern Washington, prosecutors said Monday. 6
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Feds to issue new medical marijuana policy
October 19, 2009 in City, Nation/World Pot-smoking patients or their sanctioned suppliers should not be targeted for federal prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana, prosecutors were told Monday in a new policy memo issued by … 1
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Spokane police seize 40 pounds of pot, $70,000
October 16, 2009 in City A huge marijuana bust this morning uncovered an international operation that shipped duffel bags of pot down the Kettle River, according to the Spokane Police Department. 8
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3 pit bulls maul mini horse in Pend Oreille County
October 13, 2009 in City Three pit bulls mauled a miniature horse last week before being shot to death in Elk, Wash., the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office announced today.
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Marijuana allies protest
September 15, 2009 in City on Page A5 Some have HIV. Others suffer from cancer or chronic pain from car accidents and job injuries. One man burned most of his body in a gas explosion as a toddler … 7
