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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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US: Proposed initiative to legalize pot Eric Lee The Olympian Tuesday 18 May 2010 As read from the initiative itself, “This measure would remove state civil and criminal penalties for persons 18 years or older who cultivate, possess, transport, sell, or use marijuana. Restrictions and penalties for persons under 18 would be retained.” Initiative 1068 is officially sponsored by the group Sensible Washington and was co-authored by Seattle attorneys Doug Hiatt and Jeffrey Steinborn, Vivian McPeak, founder of Seattle’s Hempfest, Ric Smith, Cannabis Defense Coalition spokesman and former Seattle Weekly contributor Philip Dawdy, who also serves as the movement’s campaign director. “We waste about $100 million a year enforcing outdated marijuana laws,” Dawdy said. “Considering the harmlessness of the substance we’re talking about, the state is really wasting a lot of money.” Dawdy stated that if passed into law, I-1068 would also allow farmers to grow hemp and would clean up medical marijuana laws, which he believes “are a disaster.” In order for this initiative to be on the ballot in November, a statutory requirement of 241,153 signatures from citizens who are registered to vote by July 2 is needed, though Sensible Washington has set a goal of approximately 320,000 signatures to make up for invalid signatures. “My boss has not authorized me to give the exact number of signatures we have, but I can tell you we’re about one-third of the way there,” said Dawdy. “We’re positioned right where we want to be; most signatures come in June.” Not all Washington citizens support the initiative, including Lisa Romwall, treatment director at the Kitsap Recovery Center and adjunct faculty member at Olympic College. “You have to consider that I’ve been treating marijuana addiction for 35 years now, and it is the third most abused drug we see here at the recovery center,” she said. “I just don’t see any upside in making marijuana legal in terms of helping people with life skills.” Romwall said there is evidence to suggest that the use of marijuana can negatively affect the autoimmune system, and that it can cause fibromyalgia, in addition to other long-term physical effects. “People just don’t realize that it is more of an addictive drug than is commonly perceived,” Romwall said. “And I think it is more complex a drug than users want to believe.” Romwall clarified that although she is opposed to the legalization of marijuana, she does not oppose the decriminalization of it. “I don’t think marijuana users should go to jail,” she said. “They just need treatment.” Dawdy said he is confident that if Sensible Washington is able to garner the necessary signatures, I-1068 will be voted into law. “I’ve seen countless individuals who support this,” he said. “And to those who claim that it is a overly harmful for you, I challenge you to read the scientific literature.” The question now is not if the bill will pass, but if Sensible Washington can get their goal of 320,000 signatures, though Dawdy is also confident that this too is possible. “The people are looking at these outdated laws and they know that it’s time to make a change,” he said. Those who support I-1068 can visit Sensible Washington’s website, http://sensiblewashington.org and find a list of local businesses that have the initiative available to sign including Pied Pipers Emporium in Bremerton. http://www.ocolympian.com/mobile/news/proposed-initiative-to-legalize-pot-1.1481911
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