Police department communications over drug abuse rarely make reference to "mega-spliffs" and getting "baked". The Seattle PD, however, has been attempting to inject some humour into its public relations.
In his latest post explaining Seattle's new drugs laws – Washington voters legalised marijuana last month – police blotter writer Jonah Spangenthal-Lee uses unusually casual language to describe cannabis consumption and its effects.
Explaining a "generous grace period", whereby cannabis users flouting the law will only be given verbal warning (laws have not yet been drafted to deal with the drug's legalisation) Spangenthal-Lee confides:
In the meantime, in keeping with the spirit of I-502, the department's going to give you a generous grace period to help you adjust to this brave, new, and maybe kinda stoned world we live in.
Does this mean you should flagrantly roll up a mega-spliff and light up in the middle of the street? No. If you're smoking pot in public, officers will be giving helpful reminders to folks about the rules and regulations under I-502 (like not smoking pot in public). But the police department believes that, under state law, you may responsibly get baked, order some pizzas and enjoy a Lord of the Rings marathon in the privacy of your own home, if you want to.
Keen marijuana users may however wish to consult other sources, before lighting up their bong pipes and marijuana cigarettes.
According to a New York Times report White House officials are considering legal action against Washington and Colorado – which also voted to decriminalise marijuana last month – should the states fail to regulate drug use.
