KITSAP – Motorists who are caught with open containers of marijuana inside the passenger areas of a vehicle will face a possible $136 fine as Washington State Patrol Troopers begin to enforce a new law.
Washington State Patrol troopers assigned to District 8 Bremerton – which encompasses Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties – are taking active enforcement on motorists who violate the recently active Marijuana in Vehicles law. The law, which went into effect Sept. 26, makes it illegal to consume or carry open containers of marijuana or marijuana-infused products in vehicles upon a highway.
“Open” means the original package, container or receptacle has been opened and the seal broken, or that the contents were partially removed.
Local troopers advise that they are increasingly seeing the violation and taking enforcement action. One trooper reported contacting a motorist on a recent traffic stop who was carrying a quart size plastic zip-lock full of “pungent” marijuana buds in the console of his vehicle. The driver told the trooper he didn’t know it was illegal to do so.
Sgt. Scott Gordon, who is based in Bremerton, advised, “my troopers are seeing the violations and are currently taking an educational stance with violations.”
Gordon cautioned that his troopers “make individual enforcement decisions” and that tickets could be written at any point. Gordon also pointed out that the new law is very similar to laws regarding open containers of alcohol.
Motorist cannot have open containers or consume marijuana in any form in a vehicle upon a roadway. It is a traffic infraction to violate the new law and carries a $136 fine.
Motorists can legally carry opened marijuana and infused products only in the trunk of the vehicle or in areas of the vehicle not normally occupied or directly accessible by driver or passengers. Utility or glove compartments are deemed as within the area occupied by the driver and passengers.
The new law has not been codified into RCW form but can be viewed for more information and definitions at the “Section 8” section of Washington State House Bill 1276 ( http://goo.gl/Kx7LHv ).
