Olympia Not Quite Mayor Busted

The big story here in Olympia is the arrest of a city council member for dealing marijuana. Council member Joe Hyer is a well-liked local businessman with long time family ties to Olympia and known for his mastery of city budgets. He was re-elected overwhelmingly last November. Hyer is mayor pro-tem and was the chosen candidate to fill the vacant county treasurer's position even as he remained a council member. The county position has no doubt evaporated and continued tenure on the council will depend on the outcome of the case.

No one can quite understand how or why someone in that position would be dealing pot. I sure don't. What I know of Hyer suggests he is not dumb. If he was a pot head, he is proof that weed doesn't limit ambition or achievement. The Thurston County Drug Task Force said Hyer sold marijuana twice to undercover agents after someone tipped them off.

All this comes as Sensible Washington launches an initiative campaign to legalize marijuana possession for adults. Regardless of Hyer's circumstances the drug warriors are no doubt frightened that citizens will end Washington's participation in unproductive so-called war.