Under Revised Code of Washington 46.61.519 it is unlawful to drink or have an open alcohol container in a vehicle while on a Washington roadway, and soon it may be unlawful to smoke or have an open marijuana package inside a vehicle too. This is so because state officials want the Legislature to tweak the state’s recreational marijuana law so that it’s illegal to smoke marijuana in a car.
Currently there is no explicit language under Washington State law covering marijuana in vehicles; although the passage of Initiative 502 in 2012 legalized the recreational use of marijuana in Washington State, it did not cover every facet of marijuana use. Although the law prohibits ‘public use’ of marijuana, officials apparently believe that many people don’t think their car is a ‘public place’ and thus smoking in their car is a safe harbor. Authorities hope to clarify things with the above referenced ‘tweak’ to the law.
The laws surrounding marijuana in Washington State are ever changing. So be smart when faced with an allegation that you may have violated the law, especially when the incident involves a vehicle. Immediately seek the assistance of a Seattle DUI lawyer. A qualified and trained Seattle DUI attorney will sift through the myriad and numerous defenses that may be applicable to your case. Don’t go at it alone, and do not just hire some ‘general’ practitioner. Be smart … hire a qualified, skilled Seattle DUI lawyer.