Seattle targets pot event in legal weed state, then drops it

SEATTLE (AP) — A giant summertime festival celebrating all things marijuana has drawn support or at least toleration over the years from officials in Seattle, the largest city in one of the first states to legalize recreational pot.

[...] in a skirmish that highlights the often confusing nature of legal marijuana laws, city regulators have taken an interest in some much smaller events put on by Seattle Events, the nonprofit that runs HempFest — going as far as to issue a $1,000 fine accusing it of operating a marijuana business without a license.

[...] his declaration in support of the citation did not explain how the group had operated a marijuana business in violation of city law.

Under city law, a "marijuana business" is any person or entity that grows, processes, sells or transports marijuana for gain or which "allows for consumption on their premises."

The Department of Finance and Administrative Services dropped the citation after further review and consultation with prosecutors, spokeswoman Julie Moore said in an emailed statement.

In contesting the citation, HempFest attorney Fred Diamondstone suggested that because marijuana is legal for adults, they have a right to gather on private property and partake together.