Linda Thomas
twitter: @TheNewsChick
Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.If you have a news tip or story idea, I'd love to hear from you...
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Hold on dude, marijuana will still be illegal at UW and WSU
December 3, 2012 @ 3:30 pm (Updated: 7:54 am - 12/4/12 )College-age voters were among those who helped the state legalize possession of an ounce of marijuana for those over 21. But sorry dudes you can't smoke or possess pot on campuses even after the law kicks in Thursday.
"On campus it will still be illegal to possess or consume any amount of marijuana," says Norm Arkans, a spokesperson for the University of Washington.
Since the UW accepts federal funding, federal laws apply there. The feds frown on pot.
The UW will remain a drug-free campus that continues the no smoking policy in school buildings and dorms.
Arkans says the UW is sending an email notice to students reminding them they need to follow federal laws regarding marijuana use.
"There's no question that students get here and find that you can have access to marijuana and experiment with it," says Arkans, "but the drug of choice on a college campus is still alcohol and we're more concerned about the abuse of alcohol."
A national study finds one-third of Washington's young adults ages 18 to 25 have used marijuana in the past year.
While the Seattle City Attorney has said police will no longer be going after people who use small amounts of marijuana, UW police will not look the other way.
They will continue to cite students for code of conduct violations. What's at risk? Possibly losing federal student loans or scholarships.
Students who are caught with large amounts of marijuana could be expelled.
UW Police Commander Steve Rittereiser says they'll have to change the way they handle pot possession or distribution crimes.
Normally a student would be prosecuted through King County. With the county relaxing its efforts to go after minor drug crimes, the UW will have to handle those cases.
A Washington State University spokesman says nothing will change in Pullman. In order to allow cannabis, WSU would have to reject federal funding and that's not going to happen.
With hours to go before the new law takes effect, a member of the "No on 502" group has filed a lawsuit in Thurston County seeking to have the initiative voided.
A hearing on the lawsuit has been scheduled for Friday, just after the new law takes effect.
Pot proponents are planning to celebrate the new law with a "smoke-in" at Seattle Center.
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ron prevost wrote...Yah, Right.December 4, 2012 2:41 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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Newton wrote...Stop Your Lies Federal Laws Never trump State Laws.December 4, 2012 6:36 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Juan Carolos Garcia wrote...Ever hear of the supremacy clause?December 4, 2012 8:23 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Chuck Gould wrote..."The feds frown on pot" Really?December 4, 2012 7:36 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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TheNewsChick wrote...ChuckDecember 4, 2012 8:18 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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DonVigo wrote...There's an exception Chuck.December 4, 2012 8:18 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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R L M 456 wrote...Since the UW accepts federal funding, federal laws apply thereDecember 4, 2012 8:19 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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TheNewsChick wrote...Federal lawDecember 4, 2012 4:45 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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shark75 wrote...Yes, R L M 456 that is what she is sayingDecember 4, 2012 8:38 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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irony wrote...POT HEADS HAVE GROWN UP TO BE WORTHLESSDecember 4, 2012 8:39 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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BikeNazi wrote...There's a lot of potheads working at MicrosoftDecember 4, 2012 8:59 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Op TK wrote...irony, there are wake-n-bake stonersDecember 4, 2012 3:35 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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irony wrote...where there is federal money...December 4, 2012 8:40 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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ryanh4 wrote...UW already growing..December 4, 2012 8:55 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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RobertK wrote...UW Growing MMJ? Urban legend!December 4, 2012 9:05 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Burn_Notice wrote...I Can't Wait!December 4, 2012 9:04 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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chellesbelles wrote...@burn noticeDecember 4, 2012 9:18 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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TwoTrees wrote...Great initiative, Burn Notice...December 4, 2012 9:12 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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