Washington voters may get a chance to decide whether they want to make marijuana legal for adults.
Activists have filed a ballot initiative that would authorize marijuana possession in Washington state. Sponsors include two Seattle and the director of Seattle’s annual Hempfest. Backers of the measure would have to collect more than 241,000 signatures to put the question before voters in November.
Douglas Hiatt, a lawyer who represents medical marijuana patients, told The Associated Press after filing the initiative Monday the proposal would remove all state penalties for pot possession by adults. Criminal penalties for juvenile possession and for providing the drug to juveniles would remain. Marijuana would still be illegal under federal law.
Mike McGinn, Seattle’s new mayor, has said he thinks marijuana should be legalized. State attorney general Rob McKenna is against the idea.
Marijuana is a hot topic in Olympia.
Three state lawmakers who are supporting a bill that would decriminalize marijuana possession. Another Seattle lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, has introduced a measure that would legalize marijuana in Washington state for people 21 and older. Those bills will get their first hearings Wednesday afternoon.
On Tuesday travel writer and television host Rick Steves, an ardent supporter of marijuana legalization, will host a forum in Olympia.
Proponents say relaxing the state’s marijuana laws will save money and make sense. Opponents say the push is wrongheaded and will encourage abuse of other drugs.
Source http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/190759.asp?from=blog_last3
I can’t say that I agree with the last part of this yes “relaxing the state’s marijuana laws will save money and make sense” but it will not “encourage abuse of other drugs” the only reason marijuana leads to other drugs is because of the effect of the black market with dealers often offering more than just marijuana.
Agreed with DT.
How can we get this to happen in NZ?
Same again, agree with Dakta Tree on this on
Hybrid asks, How can we get this to happen in New Zealand?
Seattle and Christchurch have Sister City Status. This provides for ‘cultural exchange’. Such exchange at this time would usefully bring focus on the anomalous Christchurch’s Mayor’s esteemed “SAFER CITY” standing. Two people in particular would be effective in bringing attention to this. LEAPS’s former top cop of Seattle, Norm Stamper and fmr King County Bar Association Drug Policy Initiative proponent and now Washington State Senator, Roger Goodman. Both of course would have access to the Law Commission and serve to balance the garbage currently coming out of National Drug Intelligence, Police Association and “DIRECTLY” attack the non-discussion surrounding public safety in New Zealand’s’ second largest city.
Seattle’s top prosecutor and Attorney has notably gone on record as refusing to process possession charges BTW.
I cannot stress how important ANY letters drawing attention to these matters addressed to mailto:mayor@ccc.govt.nz (and copied to the city manager asking that be copied to City Council members and respective safety/crime and Sister City Committees ).
Of course a bit of genuine dactivism wouldn’t hurt either…. (smile)