On Friday, Tacoma, Wa. Municipal Court Judge Jack Emery ruled that police had no right to confiscate Joseph Robertson’s marijuana. The judge demanded that the marijuana be returned by police.
Police initially seized Robertson’s marijuana last May when he was pulled over for speeding. Police searched his car after smelling marijuana and seized a small amount from him.
Robertson is a designated medical marijuana caregiver, and should have been allowed by police to keep up to 40 grams of marijuana under the state’s medical marijuana law. The amount seized was much less than that.
Robertson’s possession charges were dropped in December after Washington legalized marijuana. However, the city refused to give it back, so he took the case to court.
Lucky for Robertson, Judge Emery was on his side. Emery’s ruling could have set a precedent that could help other individuals when their marijuana is wrongly seized by police.
“I feel great,” Robertson told the News Tribune outside the court Thursday. “You’ve got to stand up for people’s rights sometimes.”
TheStruge said on Mar 2, 2013
The turn around of officials thought process is beautiful.
coldfire said on Mar 2, 2013
thanks joseph robertson! your damn right to stand up for your rights, too many people dont for whatever reason. and because of you people are more aware of their rights and more willing to fight for them too. thanks again!
spkavyo said on Mar 2, 2013
We could use more judges like Jack Emery! Don't seize our marijuana please, Mr. Policeman.
MidwstDabr said on Mar 25, 2013
This is great. So proud, that you won. 2000miles away we're not so lucky. Count your blessings.