Changes in Washington State marijuana laws may put residents
on the wrong side of the road when they cross state lines and travel to
neighboring Idaho, Oregon and Canada. State’s marijuana changes are bound
to have far-reaching implications across a wide variety of law-enforcement
bodies and jurisdictions where pot is still illegal. As a result, Washington
drivers crossing the perimeter of their state may find themselves victims of
profiling.
Case in point: On a recent drive through Idaho, a journalist
driving a vehicle bearing a Washington State license plate was pulled over
after his car swerved across the line on the highway for just a second. The
officer who pulled him over asked if he was driving impaired. The officer never
mentioned alcohol or prescription drugs, which are rapidly becoming the number
one reason for impaired driving. The officer, instead, focused on only one
thing-marijuana.
A public information officer with the Idaho State police
said that their state officers are aware of the many intoxicants they have to
deal with, but stopped short of saying they put an emphasis on marijuana coming
from Washington.
Profiling, even when drawn from the context of doing good,
generally betrays that goodness. It becomes a prejudice in action, the most
basic form of discrimination. No one wishes to experience discrimination, and the
costs of profiling will vary from one individual to the next. However, it may be
the price Washingtonians will be forced to pay for being the first to test the
waters of legalized marijuana.
