Supplier’s conviction sparks concern

Aaron Hale smiles as a car honks in support of medical marijuana. Marijuana advocates protested outside of the federal courthouse in Spokane on Thursday. The group says they would like the city to reduce marijuana enforcement to its lowest priority.

Marijuana advocates still reeling from last week’s conviction of a medicinal pot supplier in Spokane are stepping up the pressure.

Nearly three dozen demonstrators gathered Thursday outside of the federal courthouse in downtown Spokane, urging the removal of marijuana from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of drugs considered to have no medicinal value.

They also are circulating petitions asking Spokane Mayor Mary Verner to declare the sale of medical marijuana to doctor-approved users to be the lowest law enforcement priority in the city. Supporters say they’ve already gathered more than 1,000 signatures and hope to present them Monday night to the Spokane City Council. Full story. Meghann  Cuniff, SR

How high a priority should marijuana enforcement be?