Washington Initiative 502

Washington Initiative 502 (I-502) "on marijuana reform" was an initiative to the Washington State Legislature, which appeared on the November 2012 general ballot, passing by a margin of approximately 56 to 44 percent. Originally submitted to the Washington Secretary of State during the summer of 2011,[1] enough signatures were collected and submitted by December to meet the required 241,153 signatures, sending it to the legislature.[2] When the legislature adjourned without action in April, Initiative 502 automatically advanced to the November 2012 general ballot.[3] It was approved by popular vote on November 6, and took effect over the course of a year, beginning with certification no later than December 6, 2012.[4] Along with a similar Colorado measure, Initiative 502 was credited for encouraging voter turnout of 81%, the highest in the nation.[5]

Initiative 502 defined and legalized small amounts of marijuana-related products for adults 21 and over, taxes them and designates the revenue for healthcare and substance-abuse prevention and education. As noted at RCW 69.50.101, cannabis is still classified as a schedule I controlled substance under federal law and subject to federal prosecution under the doctrine of dual sovereignty. Possession by anyone younger than 21, possession of larger amounts, and the growing of unlicensed or unregulated marijuana remains illegal under state law.

Ballot measure summary

As it is described by the Secretary of State's office, the measure shall "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 removes 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.[6]

Provisions

After approval, Initiative 502 implements over a period of a year or more. Legal possession and DUI limits went into effect on December 9, 2012, and the state has until December 1, 2013, to establish other key rules.[7] Until rules are established and licenses issued, retail sales to the general public are not allowed. Such future businesses must be located 1,000 feet or further from public schools, and public use of marijuana becomes a civil infraction.[8]

The initiative shall legalize use of marijuana products for adults 21 and over and focus law enforcement resources on DUI prosecution as well as violent and property crimes. Personal "grows" in one's own home, except for medical cannabis as regulated under RCW 69.51A, will remain illegal.

Part I identifies the goal of the initiative and authorizes the Washington State Liquor Control Board "to regulate and tax marijuana for persons twenty-one years of age and older, and add a new threshold for driving under the influence of marijuana."

Part II establishes various definitions, including one which distinguishes "marijuana" from hemp and other parts of the cannabis plant based on its THC content.

Part III establishes a license system for marijuana producers, processors, and retailers. Initial licenses shall be $250 with an annual renewal fee of $1000. Rules prohibit producers and processors from having any financial interest in retailers, much like the three-tier system for hard liquor in control states. This section also makes it clear that selling or distributing unlicensed marijuana remains illegal, setting limits on the maximum amount one may possess. Adults 21 years or older may possess up to "one ounce of useable marijuana", 16 ounces of marijuana-infused product in solid form, 72 ounces of marijuana-infused product in liquid form or "any combination" of all three. The part also authorizes Liquor Enforcement Officers of the Washington State Liquor Control Board to enforce RCW 69.50, the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Previous to this Liquor Enforcement Officers could only enforce alcohol and tobacco laws.

Washington Initiative 502 Section 28 earmarks revenue generated by the law at specific cost amounts for administration of the program. While any and all remaining funds generated over initial costs is to be divided over general public health, drug-abuse treatment, drug-abuse prevention, marijuana research and local research facilities, specifically University of Washington & Washington State University.


Part IV establishes a "dedicated marijuana fund" for all revenue received by the liquor control board, and explicitly earmarks any surplus from this new revenue for health care (55%), drug abuse treatment and education (25%), with 1% for marijuana-related research at University of Washington and Washington State University, most of the remainder going to the state general fund. A March 2012 analysis by the state Office of Financial Management estimated annual revenues above $560 million for the first full year, rising thereafter.[9] February 2011 analysis of the similar Washington House Bill 1550 estimated annual state and county law-enforcement savings of approximately $22 million.[10][11] OFM's final, official analysis did not include law-enforcement savings, but estimated five-year revenues at approximately $1.9 billion from an assumed retail price of $12 per gram.[12][13][14] Proponents of I-502 have posted a pie chart showing annual dollar-per-purpose earmarks, based on these projections.[15]

Part V on "driving under the influence of marijuana" sets a per se DUI limit of "delta-9" THC levels at greater than or equal to 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood (5 ng/mL). Some medical cannabis advocates are concerned that this will lead to DUI convictions for medicinal cannabis users, who are driving with blood THC levels greater than or equal to 5 nanograms per milliliter.[16] "The metabolite THC-COOH, also known as carboxy-THC" is explicitly excluded from consideration.

Sponsors

Registered sponsors for the measure include: John McKay, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington; Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes; Kim Marie Thorburn, M.D. and M.P.H., 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; Robert W. Wood, M.D., former director of the HIV/AIDS Program at the Seattle-King County public health department; University of Washington School of Social Work professor emeritus Roger Roffman, D.S.W., and Alison Holcomb, campaign director for New Approach Washington, "on loan from" the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington.[17] [18]

Support and opposition

As per RCW 42.17A on "campaign disclosure and contribution", the Washington state Public Disclosure Commission posts campaign information online, including information for referenda and initiatives.[19] Statements for and against each ballot measure are also available online as part of the official online voter's guide.[20] Many groups which might traditionally be expected to take a stance on the issue have been silent, including business, education, law-enforcement, and drug treatment organizations.[21]

Support

Early supporters of the measure included Dominic Holden of The Stranger.[11] In September, the Washington State Democratic Central Committee endorsed I-502 by a vote of 75 in favor and 43 opposed.[22] Eastern Washington's The Spokesman-Review endorsed I-502 from December 2011 as part of a broader call for legalization and federal reclassification of cannabis under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act.[23] Other supporters include a variety of current legislators, organizations, former judges, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors and elected officials such as Jolene Unsoeld.[24][25] The mayor and entire city council of Seattle support I-502,[26] as does the King County sheriff.[27] Former narcotics deputy and candidate for King County sheriff John Urquhart, saying "the war on drugs has been an abject failure".[28] Noting the disproportionate impact of marijuana arrests and incarceration on families and racial minorities, the Children's Alliance,[29] NAACP and various African-American pastors have also endorsed I-502.[30][31] [32]

Early national support for the measure comes from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)[33] and television evangelist Pat Robertson.[34] Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) has also endorsed the measure, including prominent LEAP spokesman and former Seattle police chief Norm Stamper[35] and other law enforcement officials.[36] The initiative has also been endorsed by former governor of New Mexico, Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson,[37] and cannabis-reform advocate Marc Emery.[38][39]

The primary group supporting I-502 is New Approach Washington, which maintains an updated list of official endorsements on its website.[40] In July, 2012, major donations of financial support were given by the Drug Policy Alliance, Peter Lewis of Progressive Insurance and the American Civil Liberties Union.[41]

Newspapers endorsing I-502 in the weeks immediately prior to the election include Seattle Times,[42] The Spokesman-Review,[43] The Columbian,[44] The Olympian,[45] and The Wenatchee World.[46]

Opposition

Public and formal opposition was not well organized and mostly came from advocates of medical cannabis, who objected to "Part V: Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana".[47][48] A key spokesperson was Steve Sarich, whom an Esquire blog has called one of the "great marijuana prohibitionists of 2012."[49] A Facebook group, Patients Against New Approach Washington (PANAW) began vocal opposition.[50] 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, arguing that I-502's DUIC language was unnecessary, unscientific, and unfair.[51] Dominic Holden, of Seattle's alternative newspaper The Stranger, disagreed with this criticism, citing the same 2009 study from the National Institutes of Health opponents to 502 had referenced.[52] The board of directors for NORML acknowledged this criticism[53] but opined that the law is a step in the right direction, even with the provision. At least one NORML blogger labelled them "patients against pragmatism".[54] Some suppliers of medical marijuana are also worried that if the initiative becomes law their thriving businesses could be disrupted.[55][56][57][58][59]

Other opponents included the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.[60] and the Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention.[61] Thurston County 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.[62] Then-governor Christine Gregoire opposed I-502, citing concerns about federal opposition.[63] Both major candidates for governor in the 2012 election also went on record in opposition, with Jay Inslee following Rob McKenna, both citing concerns for users of medical cannabis.[64]

Safe Access Washington, "a trade organization on behalf of medical cannabis", briefly formed and opposed I-502 before disbanding.[65][66] The group Sensible Washington, sponsor of an earlier, abortive attempt at legalization in Washington, has also criticized I-502 in a seven-part series on their web page.[67] On July 31, 2012, Sensible Washington announced its intent to "actually repeal prohibition" with an new Initiative drive in 2013, regardless of I-502's election outcome, noting in its press release that cannabis will remain a Schedule I drug under I-502, "which we're not comfortable with and will work towards correcting."[68] Opposition from Sensible Washington and others was strong enough that Seattle Hempfest chose neither to support nor endorse the measure,[69] a decision which one proponent called "dead wrong" and "ridiculous",[70] and which prompted an official Seattle Times injunction to "get real".[71]

No on I-502 was the primary group opposing Initiative 502. Their website denounced what they described as I-502's "new approach to prohibition", and describes how the DUID provisions of I-502 may actually increase the potential penalty for marijuana use, and lead to a new era in the war on drugs under color of DUID prosecutions, as part of what they describe as a nationwide strategy to move war on drugs from the current focus on sales and possession to a new and more ominous offensive on drivers via new per se DUID laws like I-502. NoOn502 Website

The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin was the first newspaper to oppose I-502.[72] It was joined by the Tri-City Herald.[73]

Results

Final election returns showed I-502 passing with 55.7% of 3,095,444 votes.[74] Immediately following this, The Oregonian called for the Oregon legislature to follow suit with a similar bill,[75] and the incoming Mexican administration announced that it would reconsider its previous opposition to legalization.[76] State agencies charged with regulating new marijuana businesses received over 300 inquiries the next day.[77] Law enforcement began to respond, with the Seattle Police Department publishing a guide to legal marijuana use in Seattle[78] as prosecutors in King and Pierce county quickly decided to drop all misdemeanor cases of marijuana possession, with other non-federal jurisdictions also de-emphasizing arrests for less than 40 grams.[79][80][81][82][83][84]

Governor Christine Gregoire explicitly met with United States Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole to discuss details of implementation after passage of the measure,[85] and governor-elect Jay Inslee has committed himself to being "fully supportive of protecting, defending, and implementing the will of the voter."[86]

Passage of 502 drew attention from outside the state, eliciting various commentary. The president of the International Narcotics Control Board spoke out against Initiative 502 as a clear violation of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, urging US officials to strongly oppose legalization of non-medical marijuana.[87] Former US president Jimmy Carter referred to 502 and Colorado Amendment 64 in restating his decades-long support for decriminalization and legalization, to "let the American people see" how well it works.[88] In his first interview on the subject after passage, President Barack Obama said that addressing this issue was not a high priority at this point, that international treaty obligations came into play, but that there were "bigger fish to fry."[89] In August 2013, the US Department of Justice elected not to sue Washington and Colorado over legalized marijuana and not to prosecute legal marijuana in those states.[90][91]

Washington Initiative 502 (Approved) Final count certified 11/27/12 4:55pm [74]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,724,209 55.7
No 1,371,235 44.3
Total votes 3,095,444 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 3,904,948 79.27

Many gathered to smoke publicly at the Space Needle just after midnight on December 6, in violation of the law. No arrests were made.[92]

Implementation

I-502 mandated that rules for producers, processors and retailers be in place by December 1, 2013. The WSLCB had initially anticipated the first proposed section would be approved in April.[93] Distribution of draft rules to all stakeholders was planned May, with initial filing of all rules in June, before public hearings and adoption of the rules, to begin taking initial applications by September, and to begin issuing licenses in December, 2013.[94] Some state legislators are reportedly moving to "slow down" this rule-making process[95] and national opponents Kevin Sabet and Patrick J. Kennedy have started Project SAM to promote what they call "smart approaches to marijuana."[96]

Initial draft rules were released on May 16, with the public comment period set to end on June 10, 2013.[97][98] Public hearings shall begin in August for rules to become effective in September and first licenses expected in December 2013 or the following January.[99] Consultants estimate $495 million in annual sales among 300 stores across all counties, the highest concentration being in King, Pierce and Thurston counties.[100] The first two dozen retail licenses were issued for July, 2014, but delays in licensing producers are anticipated to cause supply problems during this early period.[101] [102]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Reed, Sam; Washington State Secretary of State (2011), Proposed Initiative to the Legislature – 2011, retrieved August 27, 2011
  2. ↑ Zylstra, Brian (December 29, 2011), Marijuana measure petitions roll in, retrieved December 29, 2011
  3. ↑ Kaminsky, Jonathan (February 9, 2012), "Initiative to legalize marijuana will go to voters", SeattlePI, retrieved February 21, 2012
  4. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (November 6, 2012). "Voters agree to legalize pot". Seattle Times. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  5. ↑ Reed, Sam (December 5, 2012). "Gregoire & Reed certify 2012 election, including marriage & marijuana laws". News Release. Washington State Secretary of State. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  6. ↑ McKenna, Rob (July 15, 2011). "Re: Initiative No. 502" (PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT). Attorney General of Washington. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Fact Sheet: Initiative 502’s impact on the Washington State Liquor Control Board" (PDF). Washington State Liquor Control Board. 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  8. ↑ "I-502 – Washington’s New Marijuana Regulation Law Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). ACLU of Washington. November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  9. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (March 21, 2012). "State: Potential I-502 pot revenue double what supporters predict". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 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 August 27, 2011.
  12. ↑ Johnson, Gene (August 10, 2012). "Wash.: Legal pot could bring in $2B over 5 years". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  13. ↑ Holden, Dominic (August 10, 2012). "WA Pot Initiative Could Generate $1.9 Billion in Revenue Over Five Years". The Stranger. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  14. ↑ "OFM Fiscal Impact Statement (I-502)" (PDF). Washington State Office of Financial Management. August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
  15. ↑ "What could $582,000,000 every year do?". New Approach Washington. September 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  16. ↑ Martin, Jonathon. "DUI Controversy". Pro-pot campaign gets big names, deep pockets. Seattle Times. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "Sponsors". New Approach Washington. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Continuing Political Committees". Public Disclosure Commission. 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Online Voter's Guide". Washington State Secretary of State. 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  21. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (October 5, 2012). "Little organized opposition to marijuana-legalization initiative". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  22. ↑ Connelly, Joel (September 17, 2011). "State Dems: Legalize marijuana". seattlepi.com.
  23. ↑ Spokesman-Review Editorial Board (December 28, 2011). "I-502 offers smart path to marijuana legalization". Spokesman.com.
  24. ↑ "Endorsements". New Approach Washington. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Sixteen state lawmakers endorse initiative to legalize marijuana". Bainbridge Island Review. May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  26. ↑ Ellison, Jake (February 21, 2012). "State of the City, Seattle mayor: Legalize marijuana so we can stop crime". KPLU-FM. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  27. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (October 1, 2012). "$1 million more for marijuana legalization campaign — and support from King County sheriff". Politics Northwest blog. The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  28. ↑ Young, Bob (April 24, 2012). "Longtime sergeant Urquhart joins race for King County sheriff". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Vote YES on Initiative 502: A New Approach to Marijuana". Children's Alliance of Washington. September 10, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  30. ↑ Shapiro, Nina (June 14, 2012). "Black Pastors Endorse I-502 Despite Controversy in African American Community". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Northwest NAACP Calls on Faith Leaders to Support Cannabis Tax Act". The Skanner. August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  32. ↑ "NAACP Endorses WA's Marijuana Initiative". Snohomish Times. August 27, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  33. ↑ St. Pierre, Allen (February 17, 2012). "Endorsed: NORML Supports Marijuana Legalization Initiative in Washington State". blog.norml.org. NORML Board of Directors. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  34. ↑ McKinley, Jesse (March 8, 2012). "Pat Robertson Says Marijuana Use Should be Legal". New York Times. pp. A14. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  35. ↑ Vestal, Shawn (March 24, 2012). "Hard to rationalize pot prohibition". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Cops and Judges Endorse Washington’s Marijuana Legalization Initiative". Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. March 21, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  37. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (March 19, 2012). "Libertarian Presidential Candidate Endorses Washington Marijuana Legalization". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  38. ↑ Shapiro, Nina (May 1, 2012). "Prince of Pot Marc Emery Endorses I-502, Says Initiative's Critics Are 'Jealous'". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  39. ↑ Elliott, Steve (April 30, 2012). "Emery Endorses I-502; Calls Opposition Foolish and Dangerous". Toke of the Town. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  40. ↑ "Endorsements". New Approach Washington. 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
  41. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (July 22, 2012). "Marijuana initiative gets $1.25 million in new donations". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  42. ↑ Editorial Board (September 22, 2012). "Editorial: Approve Initiative 502 — It’s time to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  43. ↑ Editorial Board (October 2, 2012). "Editorial: Regulation, taxation of marijuana worth a try". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  44. ↑ Editorial Board (September 30, 2012). "In Our View: Legalizing & Taxing Marijuana Endorsed". The Columbian. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  45. ↑ Editorial Board (September 23, 2012). "Initiative is a step toward making sense of marijuana laws". The Olympian. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  46. ↑ Wenatchee World Editorial Board (October 20, 2012). "Prohibition still fails; yes on I-502". The Wenatchee World. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  47. ↑ Holden, Dominic (March 6, 2012). "Pot Activists vs. Pot Activists". The Stranger. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  48. ↑ Shapiro, Nina (December 6, 2012). "Marijuana Legalization Initiative 502 Coasts to Decisive Victory". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  49. ↑ Richardson, John A. (November 2, 2012). "Introducing the Great Marijuana Prohibitionists of 2012". The Politics Blog. Esquire. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  50. ↑ "Patients Against New Approach Washington, Facebook Page".
  51. ↑ 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".
  52. ↑ Holden, Dominic (February 24, 2012). "Sorry, Medical Marijuana Activists, Your Study Doesn't Prove that I-502 Will Nab Sober Drivers for DUIs". The Stranger. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  53. ↑ St. Pierre, Allen (February 24, 2012). "NORML’s Official Reply To Patients Against I-502". NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform. Executive Director, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  54. ↑ Belville, "Radical" Russ (February 28, 2012). ""Radical" Russ debunks the idea that second-hand pot smoke could cause a DUID". The Stash (blog). NORML. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  55. ↑ Holden, Dominic (October 25, 2011). "High-pocrisy: The Campaign to Kill a Pot Legalization Initiative Is Led by the Biggest Pot Smokers of All". The Stranger. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  56. ↑ Bauman, Valerie (February 12, 2012), "Medical dispensaries fighting pot legalization", Puget Sound Business Journal, retrieved February 22, 2012
  57. ↑ Holden, Dominic (February 13, 2012). "Anti-Pot Campaign to Be Funded by Doctors, Lawyers, and Maybe Medical Pot Dispensaries". The Stranger. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  58. ↑ Holden, Dominic (April 13, 2012), "Smokeless in Seattle", New York Times: A31, retrieved April 13, 2012
  59. ↑ Bellingham Herald Editorial Board (September 9, 2012). "I-502 has flushed out the medical cannabis industry". Bellingham Herald. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  60. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (November 16, 2011), "Pot measure is tough sell at cop conference", Seattle Times, retrieved December 29, 2011
  61. ↑ Rhodes, Jeff (September 11, 2012). "I-502 gains expected opposition, surprising ally". The Olympia Report. Freedom Foundation. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  62. ↑ Schaub, Kevin (February 9, 2012), "Law enforcement opposes initiative 502", KNDO-TV 23, retrieved February 21, 2012
  63. ↑ Cerna, Enrique (February 21, 2012). "Ask the Governor". KCTS-TV. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
  64. ↑ Connely, Joel (March 23, 2012). "Inslee: No to marijuana legalization initiative". Strange Bedfellows Blog. Seattle Post Intelligencer. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  65. ↑ Johnson, Gene (August 14, 2012). "Spokesman for pot group fired at own news conference". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  66. ↑ Driscoll, Matt (August 16, 2012). "UPDATED: Safe Access Alliance Dissolves, a Day After MMJ Group's Disastrous Press Conference". The Daily Weekly. Seattle Weekly. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  67. ↑ "Deconstructing I-502, Part 7: Hemp Halfway Home". March 23, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  68. ↑ Driscoll, Matt (July 31, 2012). "Sensible Washington Gets Early Start on 2013 Initiative Effort to End Pot Prohibition". The Daily Weekly. Seattle Weekly. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  69. ↑ Heffter, Emily (August 16, 2012). "Even at Hempfest, no consensus on legalizing pot in Washington". Seattle Times. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  70. ↑ Holden, Dominic (August 17, 2012). "Hempfest Is Happening Right Now—but They're Not Trying to Legalize Pot". The Slog. The Stranger. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  71. ↑ Seattle Times Editorial Board (August 20, 2012). "Get real about initiative to legalize marijuana". Seattle Times Editorial. Seattle Times. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  72. ↑ Editorial Board (September 11, 2012). "Don't make marijuana legal in state". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  73. ↑ Editorial Board (October 22, 2012). "Reject marijuana initiative". Tri-City Herald. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 "November 6, 2012 General Election Results.". The state of Washington. 2013-09-03.
  75. ↑ Oregonian Editorial Board (November 7, 2012). "Oregon lawmakers should take up marijuana legalization". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  76. ↑ CBS News (November 8, 2012). "Mexico's new gov to review pot fight after US vote". CBS News. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  77. ↑ Boone, Rolf (November 9, 2012). "Inquiries about pot production, sale flood two state agencies". The Olympian. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  78. ↑ Spangenthal-Lee, Jonah (November 9, 2012). "Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattle". SPD Blotter. Seattle Police Department. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  79. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (November 9, 2012). "220 marijuana cases dismissed in King, Pierce counties". Seattle Times. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  80. ↑ "NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA — Pot enforcement put on hold for small amounts — except on federal lands". Peninsula Daily News. November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  81. ↑ McVicker, Laura (November 13, 2012). "Some local misdemeanor marijuana cases to be dismissed: Passage of state's legalization law prompts plan by county prosecutor". The Columbian, p. A1. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  82. ↑ Clouse, Thomas (November 15, 2012). "Spokane County won’t take legal action on pot cases". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  83. ↑ Spears, Michael (November 15, 2012). "Yakima prosecutors to throw out pending marijuana cases". KIMA-TV. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  84. ↑ Stephenson, Megan (November 29, 2012). "County drops 60 pot cases". North Kitsap Herald. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  85. ↑ Ramsey, Bruce (November 14, 2012). "Gregoire asks Justice Department about marijuana". Ed cetera blog. Seattle Times. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  86. ↑ Feit, Josh (November 14, 2012). "Inslee on pot". Seattle Met. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  87. ↑ Newman, Raechelle (November 15, 2012). "INCB President voices concern about the outcome of recent referenda about non-medical use of cannabis in the United States in a number of states" (PDF). Press release. International Narcotics Control Board. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  88. ↑ Cirilli, Kevin (December 11, 2012). "Former president Jimmy Carter OK with legalizing marijuana". Politico. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  89. ↑ Dwyer, Devin (December 14, 2012). "Marijuana Not High Obama Priority". Barbara Walters interview. 20/20 (U.S. TV series). Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  90. ↑ Southall, Ashley; Healy, Jack (August 29, 2013). "U.S. Won’t Sue to Reverse States’ Legalization of Marijuana". New York Times. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  91. ↑ Knickerbocker, Brad (August 29, 2012). "Obama administration backs off on state marijuana laws". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  92. ↑ Myers, Laura L. (December 7, 2012). "Marijuana goes legal in Washington state amid mixed messages". Reuters. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  93. ↑ "Proposed Producer Rules: Marijuana Producer Rulemaking Underway". Washington State Liquor Control Board. December 5, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  94. ↑ "I-502 Implementation Timeline" (PDF). Washington State Liquor Control Board. April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  95. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (January 8, 2013). "House Democrats should tread carefully in tinkering with marijuana rules". Seattle Times. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  96. ↑ Johnson, Gene (January 9, 2013). "Former Rep. Kennedy, marijuana opponents regroup after legalization votes in Wash., Colo.". Associated Press. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  97. ↑ "Initiative 502 Initial Draft Rules". Washington State Liquor Control Board. May 16, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  98. ↑ Carpenter, Michael (May 16, 2013). "Initial-Draft-Rules-05-16-13.pdf" (PDF). Washington State Liquor Control Board. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  99. ↑ "Proposed Rules Highlights" (PDF). Washington State Liquor Control Board. July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  100. ↑ Schrader, Jordan (July 3, 2013). "State’s marijuana consultants finishing up work". Tacoma News Tribune. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  101. ↑ Spitzer, Gabriel (July 7, 2014). "First Round Of Marijuana Stores Get Wash. State Licenses" (HTML). KPLU. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  102. ↑ Vorenberg, Sue (July 7, 2014). "Local pot stores opening ... soon: Vancouver retail marijuana sales expected to start this week pending state process" (HTML). The Columbian. Retrieved July 7, 2014.

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