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Another proposed measure to reform Washington’s marijuana policy may be considered for 2013
 

At a time when the pros and cons of Initiative-502 are being debated, another proposed  measure to reform Washington’s marijuana policy is making its presence known with promises of coming before voters in 2013. Legalization nonprofit group Sensible Washington is offering a new way to end prohibition and is currently collecting signatures for Bill 1149, which proposes to repeal current and existing state civil and criminal

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Another proposed measure to reform Washington’s marijuana policy may be considered for 2013

 

At a time when the pros and cons of Initiative-502 are being debated, another proposed  measure to reform Washington’s marijuana policy is making its presence known with promises of coming before voters in 2013. Legalization nonprofit group Sensible Washington is offering a new way to end prohibition and is currently collecting signatures for Bill 1149, which proposes to repeal current and existing state civil and criminal penalties regarding marijuana use and possession. Although the initiative did not collect enough signatures to make it on the 2012 ballot, volunteers are hopeful for the future.

“It is unfortunate Washington voters will not have an alternative to I-502 on the ballot this year,” state volunteer coordinator for Sensible Washington, Jared Allaway, tells CULTURE. “I am so proud of the volunteers who worked tirelessly to get this in front of voters this year. Efforts will continue with citywide initiatives to make cannabis offenses the lowest priority for law enforcement in communities around the state.”

News of this new proposal comes at a time when I-502 (spearheaded by legalization group New Approach Washington)—set to appear on the November ballot—is prompting heated debate.

Ever since Washington voters approved Measure 692 in 1998—which allows residents to use their medical marijuana recommendations as an “affirmative defense” when accused of processing, transporting or using cannabis within the state—distribution of MMJ has evolved from individual grow gardens with limits on how many plants can be cultivated to commercial access points.

SB 5073 defines a system of safe access for patients by allowing for distribution centers and collective gardens. Currently retail establishments exist only in cities where local authorities are unwilling to work with federal agencies to close the businesses and prosecute business owners.

Last year, the parts of the bill outlining these approved systems of distribution were vetoed by Governor Christine Gregoire after U.S. Attorneys responded to her request for the bill’s approval with a letter reiterating the current status of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, considered to have no medicinal benefit and harmful to society. It threatened to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in the execution of such a law including local and state employees issuing licenses for associated businesses.

I-502 also defines a system of access: state-regulated retail outlets, licensing system for businesses and product tracking for quality control. Business owners would be able to apply for one of three licenses for an annual fee of $1,000: retail outlet, marijuana producer (grower) and marijuana processor of cannabis oils, hash and infused edible products.

If passed I-502 allows anyone 21 and older in Washington to obtain up to 1 ounce of flowers, 16 ounces of cannabis-infused products and 72 ounces of liquid infused product at a retail outlet.

The future remains to be seen, but in the case of Washington State, the power is in the hands of the voters come November . . . and beyond.

 

The Controversy

At the center of Initiative-502’s controversy sits the DUI limitations proposed for drivers. Currently, cases involving cannabis consider any amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis) detected in the blood as evidence that can be used by prosecutors against the defendant. Qualified medical marijuana patients are allowed an “affirmative defense” to avoid prosecution. Prior to I-502 being proposed, there was no set limit on how many nanograms of active THC was considered enough to verify cannabis use and establish impairment. The initiative sets the limit at 5 nanograms—and critics argue that this will lead to sober patients with marijuana in their systems (it can take up to a month or longer to rid the body of ingested marijuana) being arrested for being under the influence.

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