A satisfying end to a remarkable day!

As I get a little older it gets a little harder to hear, so yesterday I sat in the front row at Bob and Tori's trial to make sure I could hear Judge Parker's decision. I was one of the fortunate observers who heard him say those 4 important words; All charges are dismissed.

But it was also kinda surreal. The questioning seemed to drag on and then boom, the judge says the 4 words. It all happened so fast. I was expecting horns to trumpet, cannons to fire, and a marching band to come streaming out of the judges chambers. But none of that happened.

There were lot's of smiles and hugs and thank you's. There were stares and glances and photographs being taken. There were reporters and supports and the principles. And then, before I knew it, it was all over and I was on my way to an appointment I was late for.

The rest of my day melted away in meetings, including an 8:00pm dinner meeting. Finally at 10:00pm I get to the office and crank out some work. At 11:00pm I drop in on a poker game till 1:00am.

I leave the game and I'm on my way to the crib when I come to an intersection. There's not a car in sight, I'm turning left and the light is yellow, but ready to turn red. So I step on the gas to make the corner before the light turns, but it clearly turns red before I get all the way through. Don't you know the only car that comes into sight towards me, is a city cop. He passes me but does a U-turn and gets behind me. Yep, I know what's coming too! Sure enough, he lights his candles and I pull over.

It's important to tell you, I've watched the BUSTED Video we sell many times, so I know how to handle myself in a police encounter. He walks up and my hands are on the steering wheel so he can see them. I did have my window all the way down which is contrary to the video, but I've been in this situation before and I know how to deal with officers. I let him ask me all the questions and I gave him truthful answers. My answers jived with the situation I was in, and the cop believed me.

I had all my vehicle paperwork up to date and my driving record is spotless. I never smoke marijuana in my car so there was nothing for him to smell. The only time I experienced any concern is when he asked what I was doing down here, my license says I live 250 north, and I told him I work down here. That's when he asked what I do.... so I told him! I told him who I was, and what I did. He didn't even bat an eye. He took my license and goes back to his car.

He comes back 2 minutes later and asks about my CCW permit. Oooops! I forgot about that, but I told him I don't carry my weapon anymore because I usually carry marijuana. All he said to that was; "you're supposed to tell me about your CCW right away". I apologized and he said have a nice evening. He never asked me about marijuana or my Registry I.D. Card, it was the firearm he was concerned about. He starts to walk away and I call him back to the window and give him my card, he told me his name and we shook hands.

For me, it was the perfect end to a remarkable day. First I see a judge, with confessed preconceptions, overcome his personal beliefs to uphold a law that goes against everything he's known his entire career, and accurately interpret the spirit of the Act. Then I have a string of productive meetings, some salmon for dinner, and feed my poker jones. Then the capper! I meet a nice street cop who's doing his job and lets me go because, while technically what I did was wrong, I was prepared for a stop, and I learned how to interact with cops. The BUSTED Video helped me to keep my mouth shut, and put the officer at ease. Everyone should watch it.... repeatedly!

Today has certainly helped to restore some of my faith in our system. I realize for the most part, rank and file cops, and many prosecutors, and most judges, don't really mind removing marijuana users from our criminal justice system. In many ways cops are just like marijuana people, all it takes is a few bad apples to make the whole bushel look bad. I really hope these are signs that real change is at hand, and not just a string of random incidents.