Whatcom County Prosecutor Dave McEachran is not taking a stance, at this point, on how to move forward with active charges of marijuana possession after the passage of Initative 502.

"We'll be looking at all the pending cases," McEachran said. "But the law certainly is not retroactive."

In King and Pierce counties, prosecutors announced Friday, Nov. 9, they would drop misdemeanor marijuana cases, according to the Associated Press.

Washington voters legalized possession of the drug Tuesday after passing I-502. Possession is not technically legal under state law until election results are certified on Dec. 6. The new law sets up a clash between state and federal authorities.

McEachran's decision could affect more than 50 possession cases in Whatcom County. Almost all of those cases have other, more serious charges attached to them.

Reach CALEB HUTTON at caleb.hutton@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2276.