Lincecum cited for marijuana possession

By GREGG BELL,
AP Sports Writer

SEATTLE (AP) San Francisco Giants star pitcher Tim Lincecum is facing misdemeanor marijuana charges following a traffic stop in his home state.

Washington State Patrol spokesman Steve Schatzel said Thursday that the 2008 Cy Young Award winner and former star at the University of Washington was pulled over for speeding on Interstate 5 in the town of Hazel Dell, about four miles north of the Oregon border, on Oct. 30.

An officer approached Lincecum's 2006 Mercedes and smelled marijuana as the pitcher rolled down his window. Schatzel said Lincecum immediately complied with a request to hand over the drug and a marijuana pipe from the car's center console.

The amount measured was 3.3 grams. Schatzel said police consider that a small amount for personal use, well below the maximum of 40 grams before possession is classified differently and carries a more severe penalty.

The arrest was first reported by The Columbian in Vancouver, Wash.

"It was about the size of a thumb, the whole thumb," Schatzel said of the volume of marijuana Lincecum handed over.

Lincecum was fined a total of $622 for driving at 74 mph in a 60 mph zone, and for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Both are misdemeanors.

The 25-year-old All-Star starter entered a plea of not guilty through his attorney on Monday, according to records in Clark County District Court. A hearing that had been scheduled for Friday morning was canceled, pending a pretrial conference between Lincecum's attorney and a county prosecutor on Nov. 23.

I think this announcement helps the marijuana legalization movement. Showing that well respected people like Michael Phelps and Tim Lincecum are using marijuana just helps the cause. I for one support marijuana legalization and I'm a member of MPP and NORML.

Not that I would know from experience or anything like that, but I here they grow some of the best stuff up there in the northwest territory...lol Tim may have just been in a hurry to go get some more. After all he didn't have much left on him.

My criminal research teacher is doing medical cannabis research, its pretty interesting what he has shared with us so far. I think most states that do legalize it in the future will do it similarly to how it has been done already by allowing medical cannabis dispensaries but as far as the feds go when and how this will clash has yet to be seen. California has the "any other medical ailment" clause which makes them different from the other states that allow medical cannabis and in all likelihood any state that will allow it in the future.

My teacher went to CA to a doctor, said his back hurt and they copied his Maryland drivers license and gave him only a 90 day pass for medical use since he wasn't a CA resident. So its very easy to get in CA. That said I am with my teacher I don't support full legalization of it and I have never used it or anything other drug but the only argument that I agree with regarding its use medically is that it can get people off other addictive pain meds that can cause or have caused death. Smoking it can cause its own set of problems in the sick though, due to the irritation caused from inhaling anything burned, so there are vaporizers, pills, creams, inhalers and other stuff being used and and experimented with for use by the sick.

My uncle was very sick a few years ago and after he died his wife and son found a bag or marijuana in his drawer, when they found it the lights dimmed so they just put it back but, idk how much he had used or how long he had been using it but I cant help but wonder if the irritation from smoking it lead to the pneumonia that he developed which on top of his illness lead to his death. Some sources say smoking it can lead to pneumonia especially in those already sick. So I think its medical use is worth exploring and the research my teacher is doing will help contribute to knowing how(method and type used), why(medical ailment they listed for their use), and who is using medical cannabis and any adverse side effects they have.

Marijuana has MANY medical purposes. It helps people with diseases like AIDS or cancer decrease nausea and increases appetite to prevent malnutrition. Studies have found that it can cure cancer, block alzheimers disease, and cure glaucoma and more. Look it up if you don't believe me. No wonder the government spends more money on anti-marijuana ads than anti-violence ads considering all the money these big pharmaceutical companies would lose if this stuff was legalized.

I am well aware of its medical uses which is why I said it is worth exploring for medical purposes.

"Studies have found that it can cure cancer, block alzheimers disease, and cure glaucoma and more. "

It can also gas your car up, change the oil and filter, rotate the tires, do 3 loads of wash, vacuum your entire house and mow the lawn, all in an hour's time.

I had an econ teacher in college who was in favor of legalizing pr0stitution and marijuana b/c that's part of the underground economy that could be regulated and taxed.

"I had an econ teacher in college who was in favor of legalizing pr0stitution and marijuana b/c that's part of the underground economy that could be regulated and taxed."

I'm pretty conservative and I'm definitely in favor of legalizing pr0stitution. Just don't see any good reason why it should be illegal and there are lots of good reasons why it should be legalized. The tax/economic benefits would be enormous.

Marijuana is a bit different though. I just recall the 70's and 80's all too well and the damage that drugs did in that era. California's attempt to legalize marijuana for medical purposes (which I'd also support if done correctly) has been pretty widely abused.

Shawn...I remember advocating the legalization of spleef as a means to reduce the national deficit. Given the wreckless spending of the current and previous administrations...I say let's do it now...more so than ever.

I just heard Dave Trembley was sighted boarding a plane for Michoacan Mexico carrying several empty duffel bags.

Clearly, the guy has to leave the west coast. The Orioles should trade Radhames Liz to the Giants for Lincecum and bring him to the drug-free atmosphere of Baltimore.

Is this really surprising though? Dude said he loves to listen to the Grateful Dead all the time. Not really surprising. Plus remember two years ago when he got wasted in NYC and could not pitch for the NL because of his "flu-like symptoms". Yea...Lil Timmy!

I wouldn't be for legalizing marijuana (other than for medicinal purposes). Among other things, I would be in favor of a National lottery system, expansion of non-Indian casinos, pr0stitution, and leasing the Federal Highways and National Parks. I'm sure there are more "out-of-the-box" ideas out there.

Problem is, whatever they take in they spend..and more.

I have an idea. Why don't we see if we can put a man on the moon. Wouldn't that be the bomb dude?

Deadspin
Say What? Our Long, National Nightmare About A Major League Pitcher's Weed Possession Charge Is Already Over?

The attorney for Tim Lincecum has negotiated a settlement with prosecutors to settle the pitcher's marijuana misdemeanor charge by having Lincecum pay a $250 fine for possession of a pipe. The possession of marijuana charge will be dropped. Come again?

The agreement, which still must be approved by a judge, will basically wipe out any charge involving the 3.3 grams of weed Lincecum had on his person when he was pulled over in his Mercedes for going 74 mph in a 60 mph zone on October 30th in Hazell Dell, Washington, his home state.

Grant Hansen, the Clark County deputy prosecutor, explains:
"We negotiated the case in the manner we do with just about every first-time marijuana-drug paraphernalia case where the individual is cooperative with the officer," Hansen told The Columbian. "We dismissed possession of marijuana and amended the other charge to buying or selling drug paraphernalia, a Class A civil infraction."

But to have a case like this to be resolved this quickly is strange, right? Nope.
"His attorney came to our office Monday. We negotiated the case in the manner we do with just about every first-time marijauana/drug paraphernalia case where the individual is cooperative with the officer," Hansen said Friday.

Right. Every first time offender who is a famous MLB pitcher that has a $500/hour attorney on retainer, correct? Not so fast, so says deputy prosecutor Hansen.
The prosecutor told The Columbian "it could have been the kid next door" getting the same treatment. "The fact it's a celebrity doesn't mean he doesn't get the same deal."

Very true. It is not surprising in the least that anyone busted with a couple grams of bud would get this deal, especially in a state like Washington which has such liberal marijuana laws. What is surprising, however, is how quickly this has gone down and how willing the authorities were to cooperate to resolve this matter as quietly as possible. Perhaps this is a sign of how far we have come with how we perceive recreational marijuana use in this country.

Of course, I completely support how this case was handled (which I assume doesn't come as a surprise to anyone around these here parts). Have Lincecum pay his measly fine and let him get on with his life. There is a whole bunch of weed to smoke in the Pacific Northwest and times wasting, you dig?

Report: Lincecum has agreement on pot charge [The Associated Press]
Lincecum makes deal with Clark County prosecutors [The Colombian]

As long as Joe Shmo (aka the kid next door) gets the same treatment, I'm all for it. Would have been a bit more interesting for the reporter to have interviewed Joe Shmo for his perspective as well.

Ouch! Lincecum will being hurting from that $250 fine for months.