Washington Legalizes Marijuana By Wide Margin

Activist Post

Voters in Washington state overwhelmingly approved ballot initiative I-502 to end the prohibition of marijuana. Washington joined Colorado voters in legalizing marijuana for recreational use. But not to be outdone voters in Washington emphatically made their views clear with an 11-point victory for legal cannabis, where Colorado's Amendment 64 was carried by 6 points.

Results Source

Washington's Initiative 502 not only protects medical marijuana patients from arrest, it also legalizes it for recreational use for those 21 years or older. Here is the summary of the law:

This law legalizes the possession of marijuana for adults age 21 and older. The only marijuana that would be legal to sell in this state would be grown by specially-licensed Washington farmers and sold in standalone, marijuana-only stores operated by private Washington businesses licensed and regulated by the state. There would be a 25% sales tax, with 40% of the new revenues going to the state general fund and local budgets, and the remainder dedicated to substance-abuse prevention, research, education and health care. Advertising would be restricted. A new marijuana DUI standard that operates like the alcohol DUI standard would be established.

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Washington Marijuana Legalization Measure In Strong Position

Phillip Smith
Stop The Drug War

A little more than a month out from Election Day, Washington state's I-502 marijuana legalization, regulation, and taxation initiative looks to be well-positioned yet to actually win at the ballot box, with powerful supporters, lots of money, and a healthy lead in the polls. But it's not a done deal yet.

Sponsored by New Approach Washington, I-502 would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana by adults 21 and over, but not allow them to grow their own. Instead, it would create a scheme of licensed, taxed, and regulated commercial marijuana cultivation, processing, and retail sales under the eye of the state liquor control board. Medical marijuana patients are exempted from its provisions.

I-502 polled at 57% support two weeks ago, up three points from a June poll. Meanwhile, opposition to the initiative is declining in those polls, from 37% in June to 34% this month.