What legalizing weed would mean for Yakima
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Legalizing marijuana here in Washington is on your hands. You could make history if you give it the ok. KIMA wanted to know what legalizing pot would mean for Yakima. Action News spoke with police and city leaders to get answers.
The issue of marijuana is a battle between the states and federal government. According to the federal government it's illegal, but we could pass a law that would change that in the state of Washington. If it passed what would that mean for Yakima?
If 502 passes, anyone over 21 would be able to carry one ounce of weed legally in Washington. It still would be illegal on the federal level. The sale of marijuana would be taxed with 40% of revenue going to state general fund, and 60% on drug prevention, research and education.
"Are you ready to see a marijuana shop next to sub shop," asked KIMA.
"Um, no, not really" "It's bad enough we have alcohol like Las Vegas Monday through Sunday. I mean, you can get drunk anytime you want now," said Raquel Howard a Yakima taxpayer.
Marijuana dispensaries would move into Yakima, but they aren't likely to replace drug dealers altogether.
"If you go back to prohibition with alcohol and who was running that who was moving the alcohol the mob,” said Captain Rod Light with Yakima police. “What happen once that was overturned and it wasn't illegal? They had to find something else. It's the same scenario here with guys that are out selling marijuana."
Yakima police think putting pot dealers out of business will drive them to commit other crimes.
The biggest concern many have is the idea of more drivers on the road under the influence.
This time from pot, not booze. Police believe there will be a legal limit like alcohol.
The Feds would continue to target the large grows, but dispensaries could also be shut down.
"The city is kind of in the middle of this argument saying we don't want to kind of get in between the state and the feds they need to get it figured out,” said Yakima Mayor Micah Cawley.
Yakima could pass its own laws to regulate marijuana use in the city like it did for medical marijuana.
The issue of marijuana is a battle between the states and federal government. According to the federal government it's illegal, but we could pass a law that would change that in the state of Washington. If it passed what would that mean for Yakima?
If 502 passes, anyone over 21 would be able to carry one ounce of weed legally in Washington. It still would be illegal on the federal level. The sale of marijuana would be taxed with 40% of revenue going to state general fund, and 60% on drug prevention, research and education.
"Are you ready to see a marijuana shop next to sub shop," asked KIMA.
"Um, no, not really" "It's bad enough we have alcohol like Las Vegas Monday through Sunday. I mean, you can get drunk anytime you want now," said Raquel Howard a Yakima taxpayer.
Marijuana dispensaries would move into Yakima, but they aren't likely to replace drug dealers altogether.
"If you go back to prohibition with alcohol and who was running that who was moving the alcohol the mob,” said Captain Rod Light with Yakima police. “What happen once that was overturned and it wasn't illegal? They had to find something else. It's the same scenario here with guys that are out selling marijuana."
Yakima police think putting pot dealers out of business will drive them to commit other crimes.
The biggest concern many have is the idea of more drivers on the road under the influence.
This time from pot, not booze. Police believe there will be a legal limit like alcohol.
The Feds would continue to target the large grows, but dispensaries could also be shut down.
"The city is kind of in the middle of this argument saying we don't want to kind of get in between the state and the feds they need to get it figured out,” said Yakima Mayor Micah Cawley.
Yakima could pass its own laws to regulate marijuana use in the city like it did for medical marijuana.
ur wrong marijuana is like every other drug that's what it starts out with marijuana then other drugs,the only people that want it legalized is the pot smokers .I have a lot of family members that have died from cancer or that have it still and don't smoke weed its just an exscuse to legalize it. their are other meds out their that help besides mj. what is this world coming to.
Wow,it is not like marijauna  is meth,or coke,or heroin, it helps so many people diagnosed with cancer,pain,depression,it is the booze that should be illegal. If you look back and up until now 90% of all crimes  are associated with alcohal. I am ready to see weed shops next to subway. The feds are scared because it might just put the drug cartel out of buisness,big freaking deal. If all of us just smoked pot then we all just might really get along..Everyone needs to get their head out of their you know what, and legalize it,it is just an herb that the good lord grew for us to make it through this world.. Focus on the gang's here in Yakima and lets eliminate them...Leave the the pot alone...Vote yes for 502
Well it is legal now. When can you fire up legally?
Yakima now has drinking like Las Vegas ?? What an idiot, grow up Yakima. You are not the only city dealing with these issues, welcome to America. Open your minds, read a little and you will see the rest of the country has been dealing with your woes and cries for years now. I understand this community has a large number of old folks with old ways that keep this 1970's cloud hovering over the city. I dont use Marijuna, but dont have a problem with it being regulated as long as laws and guidelines are written with black and white definitions.  Â
it could mean some people will maybe be able to get a job with pot in there system, because it has a shelf life of up to a month just smoking one time,,,,drug test will have to be changed,,people won't have to worry about week end using if its legal,,,,,I know a lot of good worker that lost there job just having one smoke over a weekend party and get drug tested on monday and fired on tueday both the Co. and the employee loose because of a law,, good employee have been fired many times just for one marijauna cigrette, in the name of the law and Ins Co...sometime you can't replace them with only one man sometimes its take two to keep up the pace and retrain workers,,,and there not being fred for being a bad worker or slow...no its just what in there blood,,,total lost...
A state law allowing this does not mean that employers must allow it. Employers can choose to follow Federal law. And you can expect to see that if this passes MANY local employers, large and small, will follow Federal Law!
 @yakemployer There are many employers who run on state contracts, discriminating against a state citizen for something the state now considers legitimate could lead to a lose of contract. The water is very muddy here.
It means the lazy and dumb kids of Yakima will be even more lazy and dumb.
Actually George marajuana use is not only by the kids......I am an employer and it is not unusual for 30-50 year olds to fail their pre-employment drug test for THC. I even had a newly retired postal worker, who was in his late 50's fail a test this summer, said he had smoked everyday for the last 15 years at least.---as US Postal worker! He had retired after being 'benched' for his 2nd accident. Both were just 'poor judgement of timing' as he explained. BUT many people say it does not effect your response time, attention, etc.......
 @yakemployer The variability of potency leads to over consumption one day, and negligible effects the next. Hopefully with legalization the consumer can obtain a more consistent product. Normally I have no problem with smoking and driving and have done so for years at a time, but every once in a while I get some really good stuff and will have to admit that I am impaired.
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 @GeorgeG. Ignorant comment from an ignorant person right here