Thousands Cited For Having Pot On Federal Land

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TACOMA, Wash. -- Karen Strand didn't think she'd get in trouble for having a small container of medical marijuana when she went hiking in Olympic National Park this summer.

President Barack Obama, she remembered, had said the federal government had "bigger fish to fry" than people who follow state marijuana laws, and Washington state had just legalized pot.

But a ranger pulled her over on a remote gravel road, and Strand wound up as one of at least 27,700 people cited for having pot on federal land since 2009, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal court data. The number of citations is small compared to the hundreds of millions of visitors to national parks, forests and monuments each year.

But it nevertheless illustrates one of the many issues Washington, Colorado and other states face in complying with last month's Justice Department memo that requires them to address eight federal law enforcement priorities if they want to regulate marijuana. Among those priorities is keeping marijuana use and possession off federal property.

State officials have no plans to license pot gardens or stores on federal land, but beyond that, they say, it's not clear what they can do to discourage backpackers or campers from bringing a few joints into Rocky Mountain or Mount Rainier National Park.

"It's not one of the big topics we've talked a lot about," said Jaime Smith, a spokeswoman for Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.

Other concerns on the DOJ's list include keeping marijuana away from kids and cartels, preventing drugged driving and pot-related gun violence, and keeping unregulated marijuana grows from spoiling federal land.

Thousands of people receive tickets every year charging them with having pot on U.S. property – a federal misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $5,000 fine. The charges typically don't result in jail time, but often do require at least one court appearance. They are frequently negotiated down to an infraction, akin to a traffic ticket, and a fine of up to a few hundred dollars.

Through the first seven months of this year, at least 146 people had been cited in Washington for having pot on federal land, which makes up nearly one-third of the state. At least 135 had been cited in Colorado. Washington's figure is slightly below the same period for the past few years, while Colorado's is roughly on track.

The number of people cited nationally has dropped, from 6,282 in 2009 to 5,772 in 2012, and is on pace to hit about 5,300 this year, according to data from the U.S. Courts Central Violations Bureau. The citations were issued at national parks, seashores, forests, military bases and monuments. There were even 10 tickets issued at the Pentagon.

Officials say the actual numbers are likely greater: Park rangers and other federal agents sometimes simply write on the ticket that the offender had a controlled substance, without specifying the drug.

Defendants say being prosecuted for having tiny amounts of pot on U.S. land – especially in Washington, Colorado and states with medical marijuana laws – belies the administration's assertions that going after people who comply with state marijuana laws is not a priority. The DOJ first announced that position in a 2009 memo, though the fine print also made clear that pot isn't welcome on federal property.

Strand, 36, was pulled over for having a broken taillight, and the ranger reported that he could smell fresh pot. She was ticketed for having 2 grams – far less than the ounce, or 28 grams, allowed by Washington's recreational pot law, or the 24 ounces allowed by the state's medical marijuana law.

"It is exceptionally confusing," she said.

One morning this month, Strand sat in a small, crowded room at the federal courthouse in Tacoma for her initial appearance on charges of marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia – a pipe.

Near her sat her husband as well as several other people caught with weed on federal land, including a 21-year-old man who was accused of having 0.1 grams during a traffic stop on a highway that skirts Mount Rainier National Park.

"I just thought it was legal now," Jonah Hunt said. "I didn't know I was on federal land."

Barbara Sievers, the assistant U.S. attorney handling the cases, informed the defendants their charges would not be dismissed.

"Regardless of whatever happened in the state, it's federal law, and it's federal property," she said.

Former school teacher Melanie Cease, of Seattle, said a park ranger approached her one day in June at a secluded campsite in Olympic National Park. He came to make sure her dog was on a leash, but then saw an empty pipe on the picnic table.

With his hand on his gun, she said, the ranger demanded she turn over whatever pot she had. Cease, 48, was cited for having a "trace amount," according to the ranger's report.

"I've never been arrested in my life, and now I'm being threatened with six months in jail and a $5,000 fine for using my medicine?" she said. "It was my understanding the government was not going to mess with individual patients."

Strand and Cease both pleaded not guilty, and their cases were set for trial in October.

Strand and her husband, Thomas, said they remain troubled by what they said felt like harassment from the park ranger. He repeatedly placed his hand on his gun when speaking to them, they said.

"It's a beautiful place up there," Thomas Strand said. "And I don't know if I'll ever go back."

___

Follow Johnson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GeneAPseattle

Also on HuffPost:

NBC, CBS Retract Identity Of Navy Yard Shooter

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NBC and CBS were forced to retract initial reports about the identity of the shooter responsible for the deaths and injuries at the Navy Yard in Washington on Monday.

Both networks identified the same man as the shooter, and then had to walk those reports back:

BREAKING. @johnmillercbs advises the initial reports identifying the suspected shooter as Rollie Chance are wrong.

— Charlie Kaye (@CharlieKayeCBS) September 16, 2013

NBC News: we are now NOT reporting name of shooter; retracting that report. deleting those tweets

— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) September 16, 2013

NBC's Pete Williams said the error came from sources who found an ID card that looked like the suspected gunman:

.@PeteWilliamsNBC says name circulating "is not the shooter," but the name of a man who dropped ID card. #NavyYardShooting

— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) September 16, 2013

The false reports were perhaps the most prominent errors in a day filled with confusing and contradictory information.

The shooter was later identified as Aaron Alexis, a 34-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas.

Also on HuffPost:

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'The Office' Auction -- NBC Selling Show's Old Crap

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CELEBS VIDEOS PHOTOS SPORTS TV     Home'The Office' Auction -- NBC Selling Show's Old Crap 9/15/2013 12:05 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF 'The Office' Auction
NBC Selling Show's Old Crap
In the market for some cool "Office" supplies? Well you're in luck, 'cause some of the most iconic props from the sitcom have hit the auction block ... from hats, to business cards and even a DUNDIE AWARD!!

It's all going down on eBay -- where stuff like Dwight Schrute's famous Dundie Award, the kettle drum Michael Scott used to annoy "Office" staff and Phyllis Vance's knitting set are all up for grabs.

What you won't see -- the shark that the show jumped over when Steve Carell left in 2011.

See alsoOmar Epps -- Lunch Is On Me! -- Drops $1500 For Grub TruckPaul Walker -- Attempts Coverup of Really Hot PhotosKanye West -- Finally Stoops to Ray J's Level ... Leaves Ray J Extra Crispy Get TMZ Breaking News alerts to your inbox Yes! Also send me
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div.commentvotes { *clear:right;min-width: 170px;} 1.

Cowboy Crow    

I wouldnt have it. Thats the lamest show ever.

1 day ago Reply     2 10 Clear Vote 1 RESPONSE ? Loading Replies... 2.

roger213    

I wouldn't take it if they gave it to me

1 day ago Reply     1 10 Clear Vote 3.

roger213    

GARBAGE

1 day ago Reply     1 7 Clear Vote 4.

shams    

my buddy's step-sister makes $65 an hour on the internet. She has been out of a job for 7 months but last month her check was $19660... just working on the internet for a few hours. you could check here www.buzz90.com

1 day ago Reply     1 4 Clear Vote 5.

Phreaky    

Possibly the most boring, overrated show in history.

1 day ago Reply     2 13 Clear Vote 6.

homelessdude    

i clicked on it and paula deen came up: wtf they are auctioning of poor paula, wasn't that bad to be auctioned off.

23 hours ago Reply     0 0 Clear Vote 7.

static    

Steve Carell sucks!

18 hours ago Reply     0 4 Clear Vote IN OTHER NEWS:Miranda Kerr Suffers Double Nip SlipMiley Cyrus Goes Commando In WTF PantsLove It or Leave It: Kim K Is BlondeIs Kristen Stewart Going Bald?!That's Cute. Justin Bieber's Trying to Grow Facial HairLeaked! Celebrity Nude PhotosThis Is Why You Don't Wear Leather Leggings



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