Same-Sex Marriage, Marijuana Possession Now Legal in Washington - East Idaho News
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Same-Sex Marriage, Marijuana Possession Now Legal in Washington

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GETTY H 032912 WashStateFlag?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1354793714828iStockphoto/Thinkstock(SEATTLE) — Thursday marks a historic day for Washington state.  Not only is same-sex marriage now legal there, but possessing small amounts of marijuana is no longer against the law.

At midnight, both laws went into effect.  Hundreds of same-sex couples lined up for hours to be part of the historic day.

The first marriage licenses were handed out at 12:01 a.m.  Couples, however, will have to wait until Sunday for their ceremonies.  According to state law, a three-day wait is required after marriage licenses are issued for all couples.

Washington state voters approved same-sex marriage last month on Election Day.  They also passed a referendum legalizing marijuana for recreational use.  The measure legalizes small amounts of marijuana for people over the age of 21.

But as Sean Whitcomb of the Seattle Police Department says, residents shouldn’t light-up in public.

“The idea of someone smoking in public?  They shouldn’t be doing it, and if we deal with them, they could get a ticket,” he says.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle also reminds people that “regardless of any changes in state law, including the change that will go into effect on December 6th in Washington State, growing, selling or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal law.”

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