Olympian File PhotoThe statewide legalization of marijuana is the subject of a proposed initiative in Washington state that, if the necessary requirements are met, will be on the ballot in November.
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“We waste about $100 million a year enforcing outdated marijuana laws,” Dawdy said.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.”
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