SRO

[gypski]

Standing Room Only, and they will have to get bigger halls to hold everybody who will now come out of the closet. And forget what LEO the pussycat says. He's been arresting people based on science fiction (lies) for years and when the screw turns, he who laughs last, laughs best. Get the pink slips ready. Time to get back on the beat in uniform LEOs, your days of playing druggie/hippie/etc are numbered. :jointsmile:

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Two bills that would legalize the sale and possession of marijuana attracted a standing-room-only crowd to a Capitol hearing room Wednesday.

Most who testified, were in favor of the bills.

One bill would decriminalize possession of marijuana, the other would enable the state to sell and tax pot at state liquor stores.

Sponsors of the taxation bill said regulating the sale of marijuana could generate $150 million a year for the state.

Supporters also said decriminalization would save money in the state's justice and prison systems.

"In these days of billion dollar deficits, we can no longer keep our heads in the sand," said Representative Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle.

State lawmakers are trying to balance a budget with a projected $2.6 billion deficit.

The Executive Director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs testified against the bills. Don Pierce does not believe the state would save or make any money by legalizing marijuana.

"It's just nonsense," said Pierce. "The biggest piece of science fiction I've read in the past 3 months is how much money we'd save if we decriminalize marijuana."

No matter what happens to this legislation, voters could ahve a say on the issue this year.

A group called Sensible Washington is seeking signatures to ask voters if marijuana should be legalized.

by DREW MIKKELSEN / KING 5 News

gypski Reviewed by gypski on 01-14-2010. SRO Standing Room Only, and they will have to get bigger halls to hold everybody who will now come out of the closet. :D And forget what LEO the pussycat says. He's been arresting people based on science fiction (lies) for years and when the screw turns, he who laughs last, laughs best. Get the pink slips ready. Time to get back on the beat in uniform LEOs, your days of playing druggie/hippie/etc are numbered. :jointsmile: OLYMPIA, Wash. - Two bills that would legalize the sale and Rating: 5

[killerweed420]

At times it seems like a snoball rolling downhill gathering speed and power as it goes. I never thought we would be here staring at legalization in my lifetime. I never thought the American people would gather there balls enough to get this done. It restores our faith some what into making our system of government to work for us for a change.

[jamessr]

That bill will never pass.2401 is doa.

[gypski]

That bill will never pass.2401 is doa.

Yeah, but people are now coming out and we need a fully comprehensive, open market, law with a minimal tax. Not a $4.20 per gram derived tax. More like a buck a gram will still fill the coffers reasonably. Calling us criminals at first and now cash cows is a little hypocritical.

[killerweed420]

Just a standard sales tax should be fine. The government doesn't need to gouge people for there medicine.

[jamessr]

NO TAX GOVERNOR< EAT SHIT>.... It's a free plant from above.

The initiative filed by huggy douggy should pass with ease.:thumbsup: The reason I said DOA is because if ya watched the meeting on Watv, they even mentioned the bill up to get rid of the liquor control bd. selling from state stores..... bills can't bump heads like that...big trouble in little china when that shit goes on. NO FLY ZONE !!!

Free Da weed !!:thumbsup:

[WashougalWonder]

Thanks for the update up North.

Regardless of the result, the entire country is watching us now. This is even beyond California. Exposure.

[killerweed420]

NO TAX GOVERNOR< EAT SHIT>.... It's a free plant from above.

The initiative filed by huggy douggy should pass with ease.:thumbsup: The reason I said DOA is because if ya watched the meeting on Watv, they even mentioned the bill up to get rid of the liquor control bd. selling from state stores..... bills can't bump heads like that...big trouble in little china when that shit goes on. NO FLY ZONE !!!

Free Da weed !!:thumbsup:

I disagree. I don't really think Washington is ready for legalization, particularly eastern washington. I think there is going to be a huge uphill battle to try and get the intiative passed. For one thing, where are the petitioners going to sit up there petition signing drive? How many businesses are going to want to allow this contoversial intiative to be signed on there property? I think its going to a tough haul.