Marijwhatnow? Your Guide to Legal Pot Use From the Seattle Police Department

The always interesting Seattle Police Department SPD Blotter on Friday published a users' guide to legal pot in Seattle and Washington in the wake of the passage of I-502, the marijuana decriminalization initiative. 

The measure, which passed by a wide margin this week, makes it legal for a person older than 21 to possess a small amount of pot for personal use. 

But I-502 doesn't fully legalize all aspects of pot use. First, "legal" pot remains in conflict with federal law. Second, sales and public smoking remain restricted. 

Enter the Seattle Police Deparment's legal team, which put together this users' guide. Among the pointers:

Can I legally carry around an ounce of marijuana?

 According to the recently passed initiative, beginning December 6th, adults over the age of 21 will be able to carry up to an ounce of marijuana for personal use. Please note that the initiative says it “is unlawful to open a package containing marijuana…in view of the general public,” so there’s that. Also, you probably shouldn’t bring pot with you to the federal courthouse (or any other federal property).

Already, local prosecuting attorneys, such as in King County, are dropping existing pot cases. Similar issues are being discussed and decided in Colorado, where voters also approved a marijuana legalization law on Tuesday.

This doesn't mean every employer likes the change in law. The NFL, for example, told players and staff this week that pot use remains forbidden, even when teams are playing in Seattle and Denver.