There is an interesting decision out of the King County Bar Association after the bar grappled with questions from lawyers as to whether they can smoke marijuana after the state legalized pot despite that the fact that it is still deemed a crime under federal law. The bar associate said that the ethical lawyer could smoke pot so long as it did not interfere with their ability to represent clients. While some would question that standard, the same personal responsibility on consumption applies to alcohol use by lawyers.
The implementation date for marijuana legalization is December 1. Accordingly, the bar gave expedited consideration to the matter and concluded that “an attorney who personally uses marijuana as permitted under state law would not be subject
to discipline only for that reason.” New Rule 8.6 however may be the most interesting language of the change:
New Rule 8.6
Notwithstanding any other provision of these rules, a lawyer shall not be in violation of these rules or subject to discipline for engaging in conduct, or for counseling or assisting a client to engage in conduct, that by virtue of a specific provision of Washington state law and implementing regulations is either (a) permitted, or (b) within an affirmative defense to prosecution under state criminal law, solely because that same conduct, standing alone, may violate federal law.
That ruling should please those who still support federalism principles. This has been a long simmering dispute with the Bush and Obama Administration over issues ranging from assisted suicide to medical marijuana to now legalization. The Justice Department recently decided that it would not move to preempt the state laws and would reconfigure enforcement policies to reduce conflicts with states like Colorado and Washington as well as nineteen states and the District of Columbia that allow some legal use of marijuana, primarily for medicinal purposes.
The bar clearly ignored the view of experts in this very educational film:
Here is the bar decision: kcba_rpc_proposal_100413
Not in the courthouse. It’s nonsmoking.
I KNEW IT i knew nick, dredd and doeb, and rafflaw were going to make me laugh to forget the pain for a few minutes….. ty all.
Jefferson Spicoli esq.
Ron, Puhleeeease. He didn’t inhale.
Depends on what the definition of “is,” is! I guess. As the adage goes….“The ethical man knows what is right; the moral man does what is right.”
Do not smoke pot on the parking lot of the Federal Courthouse if you are a member of the Federal Bar.
Dredd, That is a good summation thanks to our stupid and draconian Fed laws on cannabis.
Riddle me this:
It is not agin’ bar ethics to obey the law that breaks the law.
They have not entirely given up on civilization in the state of Washington.
AY,
I have been in front of a few judges who may have been on something!
I know some judges that should do a little toking before the bench and bar…..
Have a toke on me, Professor……..
jimnjoy, Your same reasoning obviously applies to attorneys who represent clients under the influence of alcohol. The bar is mot saying it is ethical for attorneys to work stoned, it’s saying they can follow the state law and use cannabis in their free time, as they can also have a beer. And, I prefer my beer w/ pickled herring, not red.
davidblueflish, 😉 It crossed my mind but I flashed on “Galaxy Quest” (A gem of a movie) and went with “historical”:
jimnjoy How did we determine “drunkenness” before breathalyzers? And once we DID get them, how did we determine that a .1 was being drunk, but then arbitrarily change it to .08?!? BTW pilots are considered drunk at .02…
So the point is, it pretty much looks like it’s a shot in the dark to consider when anyone is impaired, and opinions vary.
They can smoke pot as long as it doesn’t interfere with their ability to represent clients. How, exactly, is this going to be determined? Isn’t it much like the drunk driver who feels that he is perfectly under control until he gets pulled over for an unsafe maneuver? Or worse, hurts someone? Justice after the fact?
lotta, did you mean the ‘Hysterical’ document?
Lawyers pass ethical tests!!? :o)…
Smoke ’em if ya’ got ’em!
(Thanks for the link to the ‘historical’ document)