New MJ Legalization Intiative

They haven't posted the particulars of the intiative yet but it sounds like it might be good for the state. The most disturbing part is the 5ng level for DUI. Way lower than it should be.

C/P
Washington state Democrats back marijuana legalization initiative

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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/09/19/washington-state-democrats-back-marijuana-legalization-initiative/ 


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By Eric W. Dolan
Monday, September 19th, 2011 -- 8:00 pm


Washington state Democrats passed a resolution on Saturday to endorse Initiative 502, which would legalize the production and distribution of marijuana for sale to adults 21 and over through state-licensed stores.

The resolution was passed by a 75 to 43 vote.

The resolution (PDF) stated that thousands of Washington adults are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for marijuana possession each year, wasting millions of dollars on law enforcement resources that could be used for more important public safety concerns.

The resolution also noted that taxing marijuana, the state's second biggest cash crop, would generate an estimated $215 million in new revenues for Washington.

The measure would also amend Washington's DUI laws by making driving under the influence of 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood of THC, the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana, illegal. The 5 nanogram limit would not apply to the non-psychoactive marijuana metabolite carboxy-THC, which can appear in blood or urine tests for weeks.

If organizers gather enough signatures, the initiative would either be voted on by the state legislature or appear on the November 2012 ballot.

Initiative 502

WSDCCRES - 555 - 110917 - RECP - PAR - Supporting I-502 (2).doc
Page 1 of 2

Endorse and Support the Passage of Initiative 1
Measure No. 502 to Legalize, Tax, and Regulate 2
Marijuana for Adults 21 and Over 3
4
WHEREAS thousands of Washington adults are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for 5
simple marijuana possession each year, wasting millions of dollars in police, court, and 6
jail resources that could be redirected to more important public safety priorities; 7
8
WHEREAS marijuana is Washingtonâ??s second biggest cash crop and could generate 9
hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenues for the state if brought out of the 10
illicit market, regulated, produced by licensed Washington businesses, and taxed; 11
12
WHEREAS legalizing marijuana and bringing it under regulatory control would have a 13
significant impact on the illicit profits supporting violent criminal organizations; 14
15
WHEREAS simple marijuana possession charges now account for fully half of all drug 16
arrests in Washington; 17
18
WHEREAS possession of even a small amount of marijuana for personal use is a 19
criminal charge requiring court appearances and carrying a mandatory minimum 20
sentence of twenty-four hours in jail and a $250 fine, plus court costs and attorneysâ?? 21
fees; 22
23
WHEREAS these short-term consequences disrupt lives and create financial hardship 24
for many; 25
26
WHEREAS even a misdemeanor conviction for marijuana possession can result in long- 27
term consequences like loss of employment, loss of housing, loss of federal financial aid 28
for college, termination of child visitation rights, and deportation and exclusion of legal 29
immigrants; 30
31
WHEREAS although white Washingtonians use marijuana at slightly higher rates, 32
people of color are more frequently arrested, charged, and convicted for marijuana 33
possession, resulting in a disproportionate impact on the communities struggling most 34
to achieve social and economic justice; 35
36
WHEREAS in Washington, an African American is three times as likely to be arrested, 37
three times as likely to be charged, and three times as likely to be convicted for a 38
marijuana offense as a white Washingtonian, despite the fact that whites use marijuana 39
at slightly higher rates;

Seems they just want to make a whole lot of money on DUI's and ruining peoples lives in a new way. I guess I know a different crowd but I have never seen anyone that wanted to drive after smoking that couldn't....I don't feel it is comparable to Alcohol in ANY way!

If the state puts forth an intiative its always about the money. Don't have a problem with the state making a little money off of cannabis if its done right

Vote no on this it will take one more thing away from the people. Let the little guy keep mmj person to person . The state will only turn a good thing bad. vote no

This is nuts now they pull you over and take your blood whats next stop the craziness

Yep the DUI clause is the killer for me. It will make virtually every cannabis user a criminal if they sit behind the wheel. Amazing that this group was that stupid to include a clause like that in this intiative.

There is a decent discussion group about this on Facebook, for any that are interested. It's an "open" public group, so if your profile security isn't locked-down, you might want to do so before posting there.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/160457840740893/

They should just decriminalize it like Tomatoes...........How can people want to legalize with restrictions?

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Originally Posted by hiamps

They should just decriminalize it like Tomatoes...........How can people want to legalize with restrictions?

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Bevause of fake government propaganda reports. A lot of people fall for this nonsense that haven't even taken 5 minutes to read up on what the real issues are.
Vote this intiative down. It does absolutely nothing to benefit a cannabis patient. This intiative is strictly about a couple of capitalists trying to position themselves in the market place. This intiative has been a complete lie from day one.