For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s Health Issues page and our Washington News page.

Washington state made more history on December 6 when it became the first American state to officially legalize the recreational use of marijuana. As reported by Reuters, Initiative 502 became law at the stroke of midnight that day, prompting hundreds of excited Washingtonians to gather at the downtown Seattle Center near the famous Space Needle the day before and into the evening to celebrate the countdown to the bill’s enactment — and they did so with none other than a little bit of marijuana spread all around.

Even though Initiative 502 technically prohibits the public use of recreational marijuana, the Seattle Police Department (SPD), which has long held a somewhat lax view on the issue, kept its distance from the downtown crowds and allowed them to enjoy their fun without obstruction. And everything went peacefully, according to reports, which is exactly what would be expect from a gathering in celebration of the relative end of government tyranny against a natural plant.

“Seattle has always been friendly to cannabis,” said Jared Allaway, a 30-year-old supporter of marijuana legalization who carried around a sign throughout the day that stated, “Marijuana is safer than alcohol.” “Hopefully this will spread to eastern Washington. You get outside of Seattle, it’s a different world.”

Many others also shared Jared’s sentiments, as they spoke with one another about the importance of the legislation in paving the way for marijuana decriminalization everywhere.

“It’s history,” added Penny Simons, a 52-year-old medical marijuana patient who traveled from Renton, which is located about 12 miles southeast of Seattle, to attend one of the gatherings. “I’ve been thinking about the people across the country who are jailed for this. It’s nice to see things change.”