‘Ain’t the wild West’: Hummel still prosecuting pot laws

As recreational marijuana became legal Wednesday, Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel’s office prosecuted a pot delivery and manufacture case before a grand jury and he later issued a news release making the point: “It ain’t the wild West in Deschutes County.”

Hummel said the voter-approved measure to to permit possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use won’t end his office’s work to prosecute serious drug offenders.

In a news release, Hummel said his office presented evidence to a grand jury Wednesday on Zachary James Harris’ alleged violation of marijuana laws.

He said the grand jury returned an indictment charging Harris with the marijuana delivery and manufacture, as well as felon in possession of a restricted weapon.

“It ain’t the wild west in Deschutes County,” Hummel said. “Marijuana laws have been liberalized — not eliminated. When marijuana laws are violated, the Deschutes County District Attorney’s office won’t hesitate to hold offenders accountable.”

Harris is due for arraignment next Wednesday at 9 a.m., Hummel said.