Pubdate: Wed, 08 May 2013
Source: Stranger, The (Seattle, WA)
Copyright: 2013 The Stranger
Contact:  http://www.thestranger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2241
Author: Ben Livingston

SEATTLE POLICE CHIEF WILL SPEAK AT POT RALLY

It's Historic, but a Nonissue Thanks to Legalization

When Seattle cops cracked down on May Day protests last week, they
formed phalanxes and blasted the crowd with pepper spray. But when
demonstrators arrive downtown this Saturday-for a protest with its own
civil disobedience-the city's top cop won't be an adversary. He'll be
the keynote speaker.

The annual Cannabis Freedom March will feature interim Seattle police
chief Jim Pugel. Having the leader of a major US city police
department speak at a marijuana march is obviously of historic
significance, and it demonstrates that after years of marijuana-law
protests and organizing, including a legalization initiative that
passed last year, the political movement has co-opted officials once
seen as opponents.

"This is a public outreach opportunity," says SPD spokesman Sergeant
Sean Whitcomb, who is also speaking at the pot rally. "Our department
has been on the leading edge of public education and awareness
surrounding Initiative 502. For us to be invited to the Cannabis
Freedom March is fitting and not really surprising."

Had I really called my local police department?

"We serve the people and we support the law," Whitcomb states
matter-of-factly. "We were honored to be invited."

Still, in other parts of the country, active-duty police rarely
criticize the drug war. Neill Franklin of Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition tells me the group has fewer than six active-duty members
who speak publicly. "There is a perception among active law
enforcement that they will be ostracized, passed over for promotion,
or disciplined for speaking out on this topic," Franklin says. In
years past, several law-enforcement employees have faced retribution
for expressing support of legalization.

Even though using marijuana in public view is technically an
infraction these days, and some pot smoking seems inevitable at the
march, cannabis consumer outreach is simply part of the police
department's job now. "It's not a surprise," says Sergeant Whitcomb.
"I think it's clearly a sign of the times."

On Sat May 11, the Cannabis Freedom March gathers from 10 a.m. to 1
p.m. at Volunteer Park then snakes down Broadway toward Westlake Park
for a rally from 2 to 6 p.m. Interim police chief Jim Pugel, city
attorney Pete Holmes, and liquor board chair Sharon Foster are
expected to speak between 2 and 3 p.m.
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