Question about reporting marijuana use

[dannyapplejuice]

I was wondering what exactly reporting marijuana use to the police would do. I've asked a few people on odd forums and I get "police can't do anything without real evidence" just as much as I get "yes they can search and test suspects if you give yourself as witness".

I'm basically wondering along this type of scenario: I am at someone's house and them and some other people take out marijuana and all start smoking it together. Any information on what would happen if I reported this to the police would be appreciated. Could the police test them for drugs or search their home if I gave myself as witness?

*One last question, what are the consequences they could face if caught in possession of or having done marijuana? (Washington State)

[Safety Steve]

I would find new friends. Be Safe.

[Kimble]

*One last question, what are the consequences they could face if caught in possession of or having done marijuana?

Your first question is just goofy, so I'm going to skip over it and answer this one. Marijuana-related laws vary from one state to another, and there's no across-the-board answer. Also depends on how much marijuana they have (i.e. amounts for personal use vice distribution/trafficking). So long story short, anything from issued a summons for a misdemeanor to being arrested and taken to jail.

[dannyapplejuice]

Thanks for the advise Steve. I did do that. This question is for if I should encounter such a situation in the future. I really hated seeing my friends turn to marijuana, their personalities changed a lot and one of them developed a really weird kind of angry persona he'd assume at times. It was really sad to see them like that, completely out of their mind even when they weren't on the drug and their eyes always looking so blank. I keep running up against this "marijuana is a safe drug and really isn't that bad, just some harmless short term effects" stuff on the internet but I have seen what it does to people that used to be my friends and it's really important so I'd like to know how to stop such things from happening in the future and I'd like to understand legal consequences of its use (Washington State). Thanks again.

[pac201]

Punctuation and sentence structure are your friends...

You didn't read ROS' post did you?

[Citicop]

It depends, really, on WHEN you do the reporting.

A phone call to the police that says "these guys are at XXX address smoking marijuana RIGHT NOW and I'm there with them" will get a lot more attention than one that says "Hey, these guys were smoking marijuana the other day, what can you do about it?"

But Steve is right; finding new friends is the best solution. That keeps you from having to decide whether ratting them out is the right thing to do. If you've already done that, I would say you can rest easy.

-Citicop.

[patchcop]

I don't know your state laws (as others stated). Here the house would be burned down and a sign with "Drug Users lived here" would be build on the ashes.

The drug users get spanked at the scene and tortured in the dungeon of the jail we would bring them until they let us know who their drug dealer is. Than we write a report and send it to the state attorneys who send it to the court (judge). Before the drug users have a chance to plee guilty or not the judge will have them in front of the court house at the pranger* where everyone can see them. * see google for that!!!

So don't use drugs in Germany!

[dannyapplejuice]

Thanks Citicop and ROS. I would prefer not to contact the police, I'd rather just talk to my friend in the situation but previously that didn't work. Sorry for ranting on but I was wondering what exactly a police officer would do in the following situation:

I call the police while them and some others are sitting around doing marijuana.

If the police show up do they just knock on the door, say they got a report, and see if they smell anything suspicious while explaining their visit? Would the officer take a quick walk through the home? I really just want to know if it is worth it to report something like this or if it'd just be letting my friend know I called the police on them.

Since previous friends I lost started doing marijuana because of influence from other people, now that I think back on it, there was a point where even a police officer showing up would probably have been a strong enough influence to push one or two of them in the right direction. Not sure if I could catch friends that quick should it happen in the future, but I'm curious to know information. So, could you tell me what you would do in the scenario question above? I'll look into my state's laws myself. Thanks guys.

[ParadeRest]

There's not much police can do about someone smoking weed inside of a house. Civil rights and all.

You can't give us consent to search someone else's house.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

When you're there and they're smoking, call the cops. When the cops knock on the door, YOU go open the door and let the smoke waft through it. Be prepared to be arrested with your 'friends' depending on the situation.

The last line is why it's suggested you dump these fools.

Inevitably, with friends like that you'll have weed or paraphernalia in your car, or we'll hear the ubiquitous verbeage from your lips - "These aren't my pants!!!!"

[dannyapplejuice]

Thanks Sgt. I'm ok with being arrested for the time, but would I be off the hook if I identified myself as the squealer? No doubt the officer would know he was acting on someone's tip. I've called the police a couple times before and they wanted to know my name so I'm guessing it would get taken down when I phoned. And I know the police would try to figure out the situation pretty quickly, if not immediately. Haha, I don't wear other guys' pants, that's for sure.

[Samuel]

I don't know your state laws (as others stated). Here the house would be burned down and a sign with "Drug Users lived here" would be build on the ashes.

The drug users get spanked at the scene and tortured in the dungeon of the jail we would bring them until they let us know who their drug dealer is. Than we write a report and send it to the state attorneys who send it to the court (judge). Before the drug users have a chance to plee guilty or not the judge will have them in front of the court house at the pranger* where everyone can see them. * see google for that!!!

So don't use drugs in Germany!

THAT'S what I'm talking about Willis!!

[patchcop]

THAT'S what I'm talking about Willis!!

You like the way we do it? Psssst, that was just a dream, nothing is true in this post!!!!! But, sometimes, uhm........

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Thanks Sgt. I'm ok with being arrested for the time, but would I be off the hook if I identified myself as the squealer?

You're okay with being arrested? Then why come here, ask these questions and try to complicate your life with an arrest, fines and jail time?

Diming yourself out as the "squealer" will not guarantee you're "off the hook." It MAY, depending on their investigation, but it's not an absolute certainty. The one thing that is damn near certain is that your 'friends' would find out you're the one that gave them up. Then, you'd have them to deal with. Just hope they're too high to figure it out or plan any retribution.

[dannyapplejuice]

Well Sgt. I really just want to understand the situation completely. I'd make it as clear as possible that I was revealing a drug situation and was being helpful to the police to stop the drug use. If there is a still a risk for myself as you say then I'll keep that in mind. Even then, one thing I've noticed is that putting myself in situations along with my friends before helped them a little. Going to "gatherings", where apparently a bunch of people would meet at someone's house and take out marijuana to start smoking, with my friend made them quit for a small time. It didn't work in the end but at least I tried, I went there and when they offered me drugs I just said no, tried to be laxed about it, was a little humorous and got people to laugh a bit, and my friend quit smoking and didn't start again until a few weeks later. Sounds kind of small but for the time I did see improvement in my friend. I'd only risk arrest for the best of friends. My close friends are good, but corruption can spring up pretty close to home sometimes. I like to know all my options. Thanks Sgt. Thanks everyone else also, I can't think of any more questions so I guess my inquiries are complete. Bye.