ASOTIN, Wash. (AP) — A prosecutor in Washington’s southeastern corner is reducing felony marijuana charges he filed against six juveniles because of a misinterpretation of state law.
The juveniles were charged with felonies. Asotin County Prosecutor Ben Nichols initially said an overhaul of Washington’s medical marijuana law passed by the Legislature this year automatically made pot possession by anyone under 21 a felony.
That’s not the case. Possession of less than 40 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor for juveniles. Those over 21 are allowed to possess up to an ounce of dried marijuana.
The prosecutor said Tuesday he’s relieved to learn he can charge the teens with misdemeanors rather than felonies because that’s a more sensible result. In two of the cases, the juveniles have already pleaded guilty to the felonies, but Nichols says his office has filed a motion to reduce those.
