Attention Seattle-area residents, who want marijuana legalized:

[legalizeitgirl]

Sensible Washington, the non-profit organization that authored I-1068, the ballot initiative which seeks to LEGALIZE CANNABIS for those 18 and older, has taken out a FULL PAGE ad in this week's edition of The Stranger. There will also be an I-1068 petition inserted into 80,000 copies of The Stranger.

The petition, along with directions for how to return signatures to the organization, will be in THIS WEDNESDAY'S (6/23) edition of the FREE, weekly, alternative newspaper.

If you haven't already lent your signature to assuring 1068's place on this November's ballot, PLEASE SIGN and have your FRIENDS, COWORKERS, FAMILY, and STRANGERS ON THE STREET support this initiative, too! :)

In order for signatures to count, signers MUST be registered voters! You can register online here: https://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/secure/pages/Onlinevoterregistration.aspx

Please mail in any signatures you gather by JUNE 28th, and help REFORM WASHINGTON'S DRUG LAWS! :thumbsup:

[seattlegreens]

I signed. Hope there are some on here that will also.

Most on here have stated that legalization is bad news, since big brother will make prices go up and quality go down.
From a drug dealer point of view, it makes total sense to keep it in the 'grey' area it's in now. High prices from limited competition, and limited penalties is the best situation for drug pushers.

I just want you all to consider this: You do not see wine sellers gunning down other distributors. You do not see wine sellers complaining quality is worse, or prices higher because it's legal. You do not see wine sellers saying they are less free from legalization, or that prohibition would help in any way.

It's time to let people do with themselves what they chose.
Either the government owns our bodies, or we do.

Legalization is the only logical choice for a free society.

[legalizeitgirl]

Thanks for your support! I hope you're able to get the people you know to sign, too! :)

I agree with those points you made about common reasons why this fails to gain support, and I offer some points to consider for people who believe those claims to be unyielding truths:

-Many do argue that prices will go up, but it's a matter of supply and demand. The black market causes an increase of price on in-demand products that cannot be purchased via legitimate means; no one is regulating price or quality in this market. If the market is flooded with legitimate sources for a product, then rationally, the price would go down because of competition.

-The case could be made for tax amounts driving prices uncomfortably high, but at the same time, people would be capable of growing it themselves without penalty. Unless they're selling or buying it, taxes would be a non-issue. Co-op grow operations would be another way around feeling a price-pinch.

-As far as quality: there will ALWAYS be connoisseurs. Yes, mass production leads to factory-farming conditions--but if demand is high for organic, quality cannabis, then prices should be somewhat reasonable.


Are there any thoughts about these musings? I'm positive there are aspects and things I haven't considered...any suggestions? :)

[gypski]

Thanks for your support! I hope you're able to get the people you know to sign, too! :)

I agree with those points you made about common reasons why this fails to gain support, and I offer some points to consider for people who believe those claims to be unyielding truths:

-Many do argue that prices will go up, but it's a matter of supply and demand. The black market causes an increase of price on in-demand products that cannot be purchased via legitimate means; no one is regulating price or quality in this market. If the market is flooded with legitimate sources for a product, then rationally, the price would go down because of competition.

-The case could be made for tax amounts driving prices uncomfortably high, but at the same time, people would be capable of growing it themselves without penalty. Unless they're selling or buying it, taxes would be a non-issue. Co-op grow operations would be another way around feeling a price-pinch.

-As far as quality: there will ALWAYS be connoisseurs. Yes, mass production leads to factory-farming conditions--but if demand is high for organic, quality cannabis, then prices should be somewhat reasonable.


Are there any thoughts about these musings? I'm positive there are aspects and things I haven't considered...any suggestions? :)

It will take the supply some time to catch up to a demand, but those who partake, medically or recreationally on a regular basis know where to score. Its the new comers who have been hiding in the closet out of fear who will cause a spike. But like any market, it will adjust. And as you say, who wants to pay for legal ditch or Mexican swag legally? Quality will be a must in any successful market. :pimp:

[legalizeitgirl]

Well put, gypski! :)

[jamessr]

Did anyone think about going to high schools before school got out to ask seniors to vote for the initiative ? This would have gotten "ALL" the signatures required way before it's time...:D

Just a thought for the next time...

[legalizeitgirl]

I had thought about targeting high school seniors...but trying to pick out those who will be of voting age by November, from the other 3/4 of students would've been a nightmare.

And schools are funny about having random people on their property. We could've canvassed outside the property, but would've required permission to be on the property. :)

[justpics]

You'd also need to register them to vote. I know I wasn't registered in highschool.

[legalizeitgirl]

True.

We've been registering voters while out petitioning, but that would have made collecting at a highschool way more labor-intensive.

[jamessr]

True.

We've been registering voters while out petitioning, but that would have made collecting at a highschool way more labor-intensive.

Not so my dear, you get a senior who has I.D. and say hey looky here...and they will call their friends to come and sign in droves, even from other schools but, they must be made aware first....take my word for it...never judge a book by it's cover is the first rule in life my dear...

Staying on the sidewalk in front of the school is public domain:D

This is just a future thought for you to clean house in your efforts...if it don't pass..you will have another chance.:pimp:

[legalizeitgirl]

You make good points, jamessr. :)

Will keep them in mind if we require a "next time." ;)

[jamessr]

You make good points, jamessr. :)

Will keep them in mind if we require a "next time." ;)

Thank you my dear...

I remember a guy named rodney crotch itch in high school that was a cannabis dispensary man...he would stop outside the schools with his blacked out windowed car and sell a butt load....we even had people from other schools show up to get in on the great deals this guy had...cheap, but good weed.

There will be a next time dear....are you reading the data?? like the voter fraud...

[Washedout]

One word:Hempfest:cool:

[legalizeitgirl]

jamessr--Yes, I've been reading about the signature gathering fraud. That is something I would NEVER have anticipated. Very disappointing. It did receive news coverage in Seattle, though: Professional petitioners accused of bait-and-switch | KING5.com | Seattle Area Local News (http://www.king5.com/news/local/Professional-petitioners-accused-of-bait-and-switch-97202464.html). While it's crappy that this has been happening, at least we've received media coverage--there's no such thing as bad publicity, right? :)

Washedout--Seattle Hempfest is, unfortunately, after our deadline of July 2nd. Tacoma Hempfest, however, is this weekend and will be heavily canvassed by our volunteers. :)

[legalizeitgirl]

I-1068 has now been endorsed by the Washington state Democrats, in a 314 to 185 vote! Read more about it here: Washington State Democrats Endorse I-1068 | Sensible Washington (http://sensiblewashington.org/uncategorized/washington-state-democrats-endorse-i-1068/comment-page-1/#comment-2052)

Sensible Washington and the residents of Washington who want to see cannabis legalization on November's ballot appreciate this support! :)

[legalizeitgirl]

Well, it's looking like I-1068 is not going to make it onto the ballot this year. :(
It's estimated that we were short by 30-40k signatures. This is not a very large number, considering our gathering was done on a PURELY VOLUNTEER basis.

Sensible Washington will be submitting a new initiative (with a new initiative number) on January 3rd, 2011. This is the soonest it can be submitted.

In the meantime, WE WILL CONTINUE TO ORGANIZE and plan!

We've got the next six months to strategize, and educate people about the benefits of cannabis legalization and Sensible Washington's mission.
Please, please, PLEASE keep spreading the message, talking with your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family, and let everyone know the truths about prohibition and the "war on drugs."

We may have lost this battle, but the war is still being waged against social injustice, prohibition and senseless drug policies. Don't give up, and don't be disheartened--we can win this someday!:D

Start considering NOW how you can help in the future, with your time, financial resources, and/or involving your social networks. We're more powerful as a team, and each person's contribution will make our goal attainable. :)

Thanks, all. :hippy:
jill

[killerweed420]

It was a great effort by all of you. Know you can really build on that be ready to kick some ass next year. I'll be joining the effort.

[legalizeitgirl]

We look forward to your help! Keep up on Sensible Washington (sensiblewashington.org) to stay informed about planning efforts--they'll be involving volunteers more in the strategizing this time around, with town hall style meetings. :)

[letstalkPrimo]

Sorry legalizeitgirl,

We all tried,
I take solace in knowing that we're closer
than ever before.

"Vote No On Alcohol Privatization in WA!"

Let's Talk About Pot and Cannabis and Medical Marijuana (http://letstalkaboutpot.com)

Primo

[legalizeitgirl]

Thank you for your condolences.

Many of us tried, but not *all* of us. If that had been the case, we would've managed to get it on the ballot. ;)

I hope you'll stick around to help the next time! :)

[legalizeitgirl]

Hey all,

Just checking in and bumping up the thread, to remind everyone of the importance of this gaining a place on the 2011 ballot.

We have more people incarcerated in the United States than any other nation (including China, which is an authoritarian regime with a population more than four times larger than our own); the majority of the charges placing them there are non-violent drug charges, specifically cannabis.

Remember this, research the facts yourself, spread the word, and keep hope alive for better national drug policies, which start at the state level. :)