AP: W. Hollywood urges deputies to look the other way on pot

W. Hollywood urges deputies to look the other way on pot

By Jacob Adelman
ASSOCIATED PRESS

June 26, 2006

WEST HOLLYWOOD – This little city has some big political ideas.

It was one of the first cities in the nation to ban indoor smoking in public places and to call for businesses to offer benefits to domestic partners of employees.

Now, the enclave known for its coffee shops, bookstores and nightclubs wedged between Hollywood and Beverly Hills has aimed its lance at drug laws, with a nonbinding resolution urging deputies that patrol the city to go easy on marijuana users.

“We didn't declare it legal but declared the sheriff should spend more time pursuing people that do more serious crimes,” said Hernan G. Molina, deputy to Councilman John J. Duran, who sponsored the resolution.

The resolution isn't likely to have a major impact on its own. But taken with successful ballot measures in bigger cities such as Denver and Seattle that limit punishment for possessing small amounts of marijuana, it reflects what could be a shifting attitude across the country.

(snip)

Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060626/news_1n26pot.html

When I think of the blue collar crime that goes unpunished in this world while Dorito-eating, peace-lovin' potheads tie up the legal system and jails, I get so mad I could spit. Right on, W. Hollywood!

Local and state law enforcement is under no obligation to enforce federal laws. But can they not enforce state law? It seems it happens all the time.