Plea deal offered to marijuana defendants

After Washington voters legalized marijuana in last week’s election, Whitman County Prosecutor Denis Tracy said Tuesday he plans to offer plea deals to anyone facing misdemeanor possession charges.

Washington voters approved Initiative 502 in last week’s election, making it legal to possess and smoke up to one ounce of marijuana. Whitman County voters gave the measure 52 percent approval.

Tracy said he now plans to offer to dismiss cases of those facing possession charges for a $50 fine plus reimbursement of court costs and a pledge to stay out of trouble in the near term.

“I recognize the peo...