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→‎Support and Opposition: NORML, Robertson, Etc
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==Support and Opposition==
==Support and Opposition==


Early supporters of the measure include Dominic Holden of [[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]].<ref name=HoldenLegalizeIt /> In September, the [[Washington_State_Democratic_Party#Washington_State_Democratic_Central_Committee_.28WSDCC.29|Washington State Democratic Central Committee]] endorsed I-502 by a vote of 75 in favor and 43 opposed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/09/18/state-dems-legalize-marijuana/ |title=State Dems: Legalize marijuana |author=Connelly, Joel |date=17 September 2011 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer|seattlepi.com]]}}</ref> Eastern Washington's [[The Spokesman-Review]] endorses I-502 as part of a broader call for legalization and federal reclassification of marijuana under the 1970 [[Controlled Substances Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/28/editorial-i-502-offers-smart-path-to-marijuana/ |title=I-502 offers smart path to marijuana legalization |author=Spokesman-Review Editorial Board |date=28 December 2011 |work=[[The Spokesman-Review|Spokesman.com]]}}</ref>
Early supporters of the measure include Dominic Holden of [[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]].<ref name=HoldenLegalizeIt /> In September, the [[Washington_State_Democratic_Party#Washington_State_Democratic_Central_Committee_.28WSDCC.29|Washington State Democratic Central Committee]] endorsed I-502 by a vote of 75 in favor and 43 opposed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/09/18/state-dems-legalize-marijuana/ |title=State Dems: Legalize marijuana |author=Connelly, Joel |date=17 September 2011 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer|seattlepi.com]]}}</ref> Eastern Washington's [[The Spokesman-Review]] endorses I-502 as part of a broader call for legalization and federal reclassification of marijuana under the 1970 [[Controlled Substances Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/28/editorial-i-502-offers-smart-path-to-marijuana/ |title=I-502 offers smart path to marijuana legalization |author=Spokesman-Review Editorial Board |date=28 December 2011 |work=[[The Spokesman-Review|Spokesman.com]]}}</ref> Early national support for the measure comes from the [[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws]] (NORML)<ref>{{cite web | last = St. Pierre | first =Allen | title ="Endorsed: NORML Supports Marijuana Legalization Initiative in Washington State" | work = blog.norml.org | publisher = NORML Board of Directors | date = 2012-02-17 | url =http://blog.norml.org/2012/02/17/endorsed-norml-supports-marijuana-legalization-initiative-in-washington-state/ | format = HTML | doi = | accessdate = 2012-03-09 }}</ref> and television evangelist [[Pat Robertson]]<ref>{{cite web | last =McKinley | first =Jesse | title ="Pat Robertson Says Marijuana Use Should be Legal" | newspaper =New York Times | pages =A14 | year =2012 | date =2012-03-08 | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/us/pat-robertson-backs-legalizing-marijuana.html?_r=2 | accessdate = 2012-03-09 }}</ref>.


Early opponents included members of Sensible Washington, which had earlier sought to place [[Washington Initiative 1068 (2010)|Initiative 1068]] on the ballot. Concerns were raised early on about I-502's provisions regarding [[Effects_of_cannabis#Effects_on_driving|driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC)]]. The I-502 campaign dismissed these concerns saying that these unscientific DUIC provisions were necessary to win. Shortly thereafter, ''Patients Against New Approach Washington (PANAW)'' began its vocal opposition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/PatientsAgainstNAW/ |title=Patients Against New Approach Washington, Facebook Page}}</ref>
Early opponents included members of Sensible Washington, which had earlier sought to place [[Washington Initiative 1068 (2010)|Initiative 1068]] on the ballot. Concerns were raised early on about I-502's provisions regarding [[Effects_of_cannabis#Effects_on_driving|driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC)]]. The I-502 campaign dismissed these concerns saying that these provisions increased public support. Shortly thereafter, ''Patients Against New Approach Washington (PANAW)'' began its vocal opposition,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/PatientsAgainstNAW/ |title=Patients Against New Approach Washington, Facebook Page}}</ref> leading one NORML blogger to dismiss them as "patients against pragmatism,"<ref>{{cite web | last = Belville | first = "Radical" Russ | authorlink =http://stash.norml.org/author/russ | title = “Radical” Russ debunks the idea that second-hand pot smoke could cause a DUID | work = The Stash (blog) | publisher = NORML | date = 2012-02-28 | url =http://stash.norml.org/radical-russ-debunks-the-idea-that-second-hand-pot-smoke-could-cause-a-duid | format =HTML | doi = | accessdate = 2012-02-28}}</ref> citing the same 2009 study from the [[National Institute of Health]] opponents to 502 had referenced, as did Dominic Holden <ref>{{cite web | last =Holden | first =Dominic | title =Sorry, Medical Marijuana Activists, Your Study Doesn't Prove that I-502 Will Nab Sober Drivers for DUIs | work = | publisher = [[The Stranger]] | date = 2012-02-24 | url =http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/02/24/sorry-medical-marijuana-activists-your-study-doesnt-prove-that-i-502-will-nab-sober-drivers-for-duis | format =HTML | doi = | accessdate = 2012-03-09}}</ref>.


A letter was sent to I-502 sponsors by Richard Bayer, MD; lawyers David Arganian and Jeffrey Steinborn; Gil Mobley, MD; Vivian McPeak, Executive Director of [[Seattle Hempfest]]; and Ric Smith, who has been a prominent patient advocate since 1996. These individuals detailed why I-502's DUIC language is unnecessary, unscientific, and unfair.<ref>Bayer, Richard MD.; Arganian, David; Steinborn Esq., Jeffrey; Mobley MD, Gil; Letter to I-502 Sponsors. September 23, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2011 at: {{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=266694593352649 |title=Letter to I-502 Sponsors}}</ref>
A letter was sent to I-502 sponsors by Richard Bayer, MD; lawyers David Arganian and Jeffrey Steinborn; Gil Mobley, MD; Vivian McPeak, Executive Director of [[Seattle Hempfest]]; and Ric Smith, who has been a prominent patient advocate since 1996. These individuals detailed why I-502's DUIC language is unnecessary, unscientific, and unfair.<ref>Bayer, Richard MD.; Arganian, David; Steinborn Esq., Jeffrey; Mobley MD, Gil; Letter to I-502 Sponsors. September 23, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2011 at: {{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=266694593352649 |title=Letter to I-502 Sponsors}}</ref> As of March 2012, The Stranger has run at least three articles by pro-marijuana opponents to I-502.


Suppliers of medical marijuana are worried that if the initiative becomes law their thriving businesses could be disrupted.<ref name=PSBJ20120212>
Suppliers of medical marijuana are worried that if the initiative becomes law their thriving businesses could be disrupted.<ref name=PSBJ20120212>
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| year =2012
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| url = http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/print-edition/2012/02/17/medical-dispensaries-fighting-pot.html
| url = http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/print-edition/2012/02/17/medical-dispensaries-fighting-pot.html
| accessdate = February 22, 2012}}</ref> Other opponents include the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.<ref name=WASPCnov2011>{{Citation
| accessdate = February 22, 2012}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web | last = Holden
| first = Dominic
| title =Anti-Pot Campaign to Be Funded by Doctors, Lawyers, and Maybe Medical Pot Dispensaries
| work =
| publisher = The Stranger
| date = 2012-02-13
| url =http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/02/23/anti-pot-campaign-to-be-funded-by-doctors-lawyers-and-maybe-medical-pot-dispensaries
| format =HTML
| doi =
| accessdate = 2012-03-09 }}
</ref> Other opponents include the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.<ref name=WASPCnov2011>{{Citation
| last = Martin
| last = Martin
| first = Jonathan
| first = Jonathan
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| year = 2011
| year = 2011
| url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016784405_mckay17m.html
| url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016784405_mckay17m.html
| accessdate = December 29, 2011}}</ref> Thurston County's Sheriff John Snaza said Asian and motorcycle gangs currently control "marijuana distribution and sales" and that the initiative would likely lead to more traffic fatalities and organized crime.<ref name=KNDOTV23-20120209>{{Citation
| accessdate = December 29, 2011}}</ref>
Thurston County's Sheriff John Snaza said Asian and motorcycle gangs currently control "marijuana distribution and sales" and that the initiative would likely lead to more traffic fatalities and organized crime.<ref name=KNDOTV23-20120209>{{Citation
| last = Schaub
| last = Schaub
| first = Kevin
| first = Kevin

Revision as of 23:57, 9 March 2012

Washington Initiative 502 (I-502) "on marijuana reform" is an initiative to the legislature, submitted to the Washington state Secretary of State during the summer of 2011.[1] Enough signatures were collected and submitted by December 2011 to meet the required 241,153 signatures.[2] The Washington State Legislature during the 2012 session is not likely to act on the initiative, but is instead letting it appear on the November ballot.[3]

If passed it shall legalize possession up to amounts specified in the initiative for marijuana or marijuana-infused products, regulate and tax marijuana, with revenue earmarked for substance-abuse prevention education and healthcare. Passage of this initiative would not change the status of marijuana under federal law.

Ballot Measure Summary

As described by the Secretary of State's office, the measure would "license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over twenty-one; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues."

This measure would remove state-law prohibitions against producing, processing, and selling marijuana, subject to licensing and regulation by the liquor control board; allow limited possession of marijuana by persons aged twenty-one and over; and impose 25% excise taxes on wholesale and retail sales of marijuana, earmarking revenue for purposes that include substance-abuse prevention, research, education, and healthcare. Laws prohibiting driving under the influence would be amended to include maximum thresholds for THC blood concentration.[4]

Provisions

The initiative would legalize use of marijuana for adults 21 and over and focus law enforcement resources on violent and property crimes. New revenues are earmarked for health care, drug abuse treatment and education, administration and general funds, and 1% for research. Marijuana will be placed under the legal control of a state-licensed system similar to that established for hard liquor in Washington.

Marijuana is legally defined based on its THC content, to distinguish it from hemp and other parts of the cannabis plant. I-502 establishes a license system for production, possession, distribution and sale of marijuana. Initial licenses shall be $250 with an annual renewal fee of $1000. Rules prohibit producers and processors from having any financial interest in retailers, essentially similar to and administered by the State Liquor Control Board. Unlicensed marijuana is still illegal, including personal grows in one's own home. I-502 would also make it illegal to drive with blood THC levels equal to or greater than 5 nanograms per milliliter. Medical marijuana experts are concerned that this will lead to medicinal marijuana users being convicted of DUI despite previous legislation giving them the right to drive.[5]

Section 28 of Initiative 502 explicitly earmarks the majority of revenue for public health and drug-abuse prevention efforts.

Part IV of the act is the tax mechanism which establishes a 25% excise tax upon every transfer from producer to processor(s) to retailer and earmarks the majority of such revenue.

Initiative 502 is similar to Washington House Bill 1550 (2011), a "fiscal note" on which was completed by the Office of Financial Management on February 23, 2011.[6] Summaries of that analysis showed law-enforcement savings of approximately $22 million. The fiscal note for HB 1550 projected revenues of approximately $215 million per year.[7] [8]

Sponsors

Registered sponsors for the measure include: John McKay, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington; Peter Holmes, Seattle city attorney; Kim Marie Thorburn MD and MPH, former director of the Spokane Regional Health District; and travel writer Rick Steves.[1] Other sponsors include state representative for the 36th district Mary Lou Dickerson, immediate past president of the Washington State Bar Association Salvador A. Mungia, past president of the Washington State Bar Association Mark Johnson, former King County health official Robert W. Wood MD, University of Washington School of Social Work professor emeritus Roger Roffman DSW, and Alison Holcomb, campaign director for New Approach Washington, "on loan from" the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington.[9] [10]

Support and Opposition

Early supporters of the measure include Dominic Holden of The Stranger.[8] In September, the Washington State Democratic Central Committee endorsed I-502 by a vote of 75 in favor and 43 opposed.[11] Eastern Washington's The Spokesman-Review endorses I-502 as part of a broader call for legalization and federal reclassification of marijuana under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act.[12] Early national support for the measure comes from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)[13] and television evangelist Pat Robertson[14].

Early opponents included members of Sensible Washington, which had earlier sought to place Initiative 1068 on the ballot. Concerns were raised early on about I-502's provisions regarding driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). The I-502 campaign dismissed these concerns saying that these provisions increased public support. Shortly thereafter, Patients Against New Approach Washington (PANAW) began its vocal opposition,[15] leading one NORML blogger to dismiss them as "patients against pragmatism,"[16] citing the same 2009 study from the National Institute of Health opponents to 502 had referenced, as did Dominic Holden [17].

A letter was sent to I-502 sponsors by Richard Bayer, MD; lawyers David Arganian and Jeffrey Steinborn; Gil Mobley, MD; Vivian McPeak, Executive Director of Seattle Hempfest; and Ric Smith, who has been a prominent patient advocate since 1996. These individuals detailed why I-502's DUIC language is unnecessary, unscientific, and unfair.[18] As of March 2012, The Stranger has run at least three articles by pro-marijuana opponents to I-502.

Suppliers of medical marijuana are worried that if the initiative becomes law their thriving businesses could be disrupted.[19] [20] Other opponents include the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.[21] 


Thurston County's Sheriff John Snaza said Asian and motorcycle gangs currently control "marijuana distribution and sales" and that the initiative would likely lead to more traffic fatalities and organized crime.[22]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Reed, Sam; Washington State Secretary of State (2011), Proposed Initiative to the Legislature - 2011, retrieved August 27, 2011
  2. ^ Zylstra, Brian (29 December 2011), Marijuana measure petitions roll in, retrieved December 29, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ Kaminsky, Jonathan (9 February 2012), "Initiative to legalize marijuana will go to voters", SeattlePI, retrieved February 21, 2012{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ McKenna, Rob (July 15, 2011). "Re: Initiative No. 502" (Portable Document Format). Attorney General of Washington. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  5. ^ Martin, Jonathon. "DUI Controversy". Pro-pot campaign gets big names, deep pockets. Seattle Times. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Multiple Agency Fiscal Note Summary for Bill Number 1550 HB Title Cannabis" (Portable Document Format). Washington State Office of Financial Management. February 23, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  7. ^ Jon, Walker (February 23, 2011). "Official Washington State Analysis: Marijuana Legalization Would Add Hundreds of Millions to State Coffers". Fire Dog Lake. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Holden, Dominic (June 21, 2011). "Legalize It: A Smart New Initiative Makes Washington State Ground Zero in the National Fight to End Marijuana Prohibition". The Stranger. Seattle, Washington: The Stranger (Newspaper). Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  9. ^ "New Approach Washington Files Initiative to Legalize, Tax, and Regulate Marijuana Sponsors Include Civic, Public Health, Legal Community Leaders" (Portable Document Format). New Approach Washington. June 22, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  10. ^ "Sponsors". New Approach Washington. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  11. ^ Connelly, Joel (17 September 2011). "State Dems: Legalize marijuana". seattlepi.com.
  12. ^ Spokesman-Review Editorial Board (28 December 2011). "I-502 offers smart path to marijuana legalization". Spokesman.com.
  13. ^ St. Pierre, Allen (2012-02-17). ""Endorsed: NORML Supports Marijuana Legalization Initiative in Washington State"" (HTML). blog.norml.org. NORML Board of Directors. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  14. ^ McKinley, Jesse (2012-03-08). ""Pat Robertson Says Marijuana Use Should be Legal"". New York Times. pp. A14. Retrieved 2012-03-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  15. ^ "Patients Against New Approach Washington, Facebook Page".
  16. ^ Belville, "Radical" Russ (2012-02-28). ""Radical" Russ debunks the idea that second-hand pot smoke could cause a DUID" (HTML). The Stash (blog). NORML. Retrieved 2012-02-28. {{cite web}}: Check |authorlink= value (help); External link in |authorlink= (help)
  17. ^ Holden, Dominic (2012-02-24). "Sorry, Medical Marijuana Activists, Your Study Doesn't Prove that I-502 Will Nab Sober Drivers for DUIs" (HTML). The Stranger. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  18. ^ Bayer, Richard MD.; Arganian, David; Steinborn Esq., Jeffrey; Mobley MD, Gil; Letter to I-502 Sponsors. September 23, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2011 at: "Letter to I-502 Sponsors".
  19. ^ Bauman, Valerie (February 12, 2012), "Medical dispensaries fighting pot legalization", Puget Sound Business Journal, retrieved February 22, 2012{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  20. ^ Holden, Dominic (2012-02-13). "Anti-Pot Campaign to Be Funded by Doctors, Lawyers, and Maybe Medical Pot Dispensaries" (HTML). The Stranger. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  21. ^ Martin, Jonathan (16 November 2011), "Pot measure is tough sell at cop conference", Seattle Times, retrieved December 29, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  22. ^ Schaub, Kevin (9 Feb 2012), "Law enforcement opposes initiative 502", KNDO-TV 23, retrieved February 21, 2012{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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