A new poll just released by SurveyUSA, shows Washington State’s Initiative 502 is maintaining its commanding lead heading into November. The latest survey data has likely voters in Washington supporting I-502 by a large margin, 57% of respondents stated they planned on voting yes, 34% said they would vote no, and 9% are undecided. Worth noting is, unlike previous polling in other states, I-502 does not seem to have a glaring gap when it comes to support from female voters. 57% of women said they support the measure alongside 58% of men.
This is a slight increase in support over SurveyUSA’s previous poll, which had support at 55%, opposition at 32%, and 13% undecided. You can view more details on this latest survey here.
A state initiative would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution and possession for people 21 and over. It would remove state criminal and civil penalties for limited possession of marijuana, impose an excise tax on marijuana sales and earmark some revenue for substance abuse prevention, research and education. Should the measure be enacted into law?
It’s a step in the right direction, but what qualifies as a ” limited possession of marijuana”?
i hurt everyday,, I cannot function on all the drugs they put me on,, I dont want to be a couch potato,, I want to particapate in my life,, Free me, free others from being judged, we are not criminals! we dont want to support drug dealers,, give us safe access! in the Name of the People for the People by the people! its a choice and its already been made by many! give them their Life back! God Bless!
Great! The Govt is trying to stifle legalization at every turn.. It’s nice to see WA isn’t cowing to their threats. Let them show themselves as the agenda driver Prohibitionist Parasites that they are.
Do you know why polls say these things will pass, but they seem to always fail? Duh…
SHOW UP AND VOTE DUMMY! No really go F’in vote you lazy bastards. Baked? Who gives a shit, leave the bud at home and GO VOTE!
This isn’t that hard; we ARE the majority now. No more excuses.. If you don’t vote and I find out I will bitch lap each of you. How hard is this? Ugh!
“A state initiative would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution and possession for people 21 and over. It would remove state criminal and civil penalties for limited possession of marijuana, impose an excise tax on marijuana sales and earmark some revenue for substance abuse prevention, research and education. Should the measure be enacted into law?”
Absofarkinglutely.
—–
It seems likely to me that our ‘leaders’,
those who lead from behind,
will swing around and have suddenly been
‘long-standing supporters of properly legislated legalization’.
—–
Several things, aside from legalization,
need to be addressed:
1) full plants available to adults
2) seeds available, and not modified
(as in, as I understand it, [limited, to be sure], there are crops, agricultural commodities which are genetically altered to not allow re-planting. – They are 1 generational plants.)
3) there should be no laws barring smoking in one’s one apartment nor home, save, I would argue, not smoking with children ‘under age present’ *(this would have to be set)
–
I do not want to see this finally realized
AND YET become a corporate enterprise, solely,
while homegrowers are hindered with such silliness as some of the laws for the medicinal, (low number of plants, low amount to be carried, etc.)
I want to see this blight corrected,
and I don’t want to see the laws turn and hose those who then claim their rights.
We need to identify, so please add items here,
the significant areas in which the laws must protect the future legal adult partakers.
I do not want to see us win, only to lose in the small print.
–
Good amount set for adults to carry
High number of plants to be cultivated
Able to consume in their own residence
…
Thanks again, NORML,
for keeping us up to date.
And thank you to all NORML supporters-
WE CANNABIS!
This makes me so happy
I remember when Proposition 19 held a huge lead in California too. Ahead of the election, it was practically a sure thing. But we all see how that turned out. So I’ll believe it when I see it this November.
If I did not like marijuana, I would still vote “yes”. The “no” vote brought 40 years of gradual loss of freedom to the point of pure hell caused by the federal government’s inflated ambition to take on full control of everybody’s life.
@ Doug E Fresca
The definition of “limited possession of marijuana” in the proposition is the possession of 1 oz of cannabis. 🙂
Yes, that isn’t a lot. But it’s better to be allowed legal access (for cheaper, legal prices) of 1 oz of cannabis, instead of being illegal. Plus it being legalized could entail (better) changes to the law, once skeptics see that the legalization of cannabis doesn’t create drugged-crazed chaos in every adult and teenager. Everyone in Washington, please vote yes!
i want this to happen very much but, i just do not see it. our government will find a way to bury legalization in every way possible. the crystal palace that runs this country stands to lose too much. their reasons are as old as anslinger yet, they will fight to the bitter end. i am doubtful that i will see it in my lifetime now after what they are doing in the medical cannabis states. they knew the truth before we did about the goodness of herb but, they will never admit to it. money and power , people…..someone burn just a little for me…i miss it!…peace to all.
I’m curious what this might mean for drug testing in the workplace. Now, I assume some places would probably not care. But, I’m going to graduate soon and be working in a hospital, now I’m curious if an employment drug test or random ones would fire you for having THC in your pee..
any insight anyone?
Holder better hurry up and threaten the polulace or this might not go down in smoke like it did in Cali
Wishing i had the money to make the move. Iam sure South Carolina will never legalize cannibis.
Realistically,
1 – IF the movement is able to cross the threshold-
to become real and tangible, in even a single region in this country-
2 – AND IF the laws are enacted in such a way that they do not foster a disaster
3 – AND THEREFORE the revenue created becomes visible and tangible
4 – THEN these laws will overtake the rest of the states.
If, for no other reason, than it is PROFITABLE.
And moreso in the market than even in the
legal system.
STAND UP AND BE COUNTED.
MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD.
CONTACT THE OFFICES OF THOSE IN POWER.
I AM TIRED OF BEING A ‘CRIMINAL’.
Question: If this passes in WA (hard to believe that it’s actually possible after so many years!), does anybody know when we can start to indulge legally?
I for one would like to celebrate the day after the election, but when would the new law actually take effect?
The Pharmaceutical and Prison/Police State Industrial Complex will rig the election. It’s going to take a revolution and overgrow of Washington DC before it’s legal nationwide. If this fails we know it will be rigged by the Feds so it will signal the populace to storm DC and plant a billion seeds on every square inch of Federal property. It will be war people get ready. Old money will not give up easy and the Feds will not give up their Police State empires without a fight
Get out and vote and make the difference! No point going through the cycle… This needs to pass already enough people have suffered and its time to get people to vote!
PLEASE VOTE…
and if it passes
LET ME FIRE THE FIRST SHOT
WHEN DUMB OR DUMBER DECLARES
MARTIAL LAW ON THE STATE !!!
I’ve seen a lot of comments about rigged elections…hope there is some good exit polling in those states.
We are counting on you Washington to bring back sanity to this issue. Now matter what you think about pot personally the criminal justice system is helping to turn us into an absolutely dreadful country sucking the lifeblood out of families such as my own, and turning law enforcement, prosectors, and judges, into agents of doom. Please vote yes Washington
Looks like the pro cannabis movement has this vote in the bag.
You can indulge legally, december 1,2013. Remember, this is an initiative which then goes to the legislature, which does not go into session until january 2013. They then re required to pass the law. Expect the law to be challenged by the feds, triggering a supreme court ruling on the tenth amendment grounds..
[Paul Armentano responds: False. This measure does not go before the legislature. In fact, if passed, it can not legally be amended by lawmakers for at least 2 years.]
im glad to see my home state to be one of the first to do the right thing and legalize this essential part of our health and well being. i even did some reaserch on juicing raw cannabis and the benifits are absolutley amazing!! its said that its a super vegetable because of the leaves. its bout time we can fully appreciate this superb source of health and happiness!
I guess we’ll B moving to Washington
I live in Florida where one seedling is a felony with jail of up to 5 years. A traffic stop automatically gets you searched for illegal drugs. You people out west do not know how much freedom you truly have. Get out and vote and strengthen your freedom because people like Floridians that live in a corrupt police state have no freedom. Only oppression and power corruption. Out of state cars are targeted. Our Attorney general could make Medicinal Marijuana legal by her signature. Instead she said on T.V. that marijuana is a felony.and when you have a felony you are a felony and you have no rights. Get out and vote in November you do not know how lucky you are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aren’t the DEA former supervisors the beneficiaries of six figure pension funds tied to the government’s seisure of earnings from cannibis businesses, confiscations of personal properties without due process, and intimidation tactics at fiscal controls?
When God made the earth he made all seed producing plants for made.who are the gov. to say we can’t have cannabis,it is good for lots of things pain,cancer,depression etc.
Washington state needs that revenue – Washington state right now has all the pot smoking and none of the reveue – we need that money. Washington needs schools, libraries, hospitals, universities, water districts, we can raise taxes on rich people maybe one day – but this is easy.
You know who doesnt need that money, for the sake of Washington State, is Al Capone – the DEA cant protect America at all from Al Capone – all the DEA does is make excuses. All that tax money should go to Washington State.
I condemn prohibitionists, I dont care if you “claim” to be for legalization, 502 will effectively legalize marijuana, marijuana and pipes and bongs and smoke will no longer be any cause for arrest. In this day and age to assume someone supporting a reactionary cause has any sincerity about what they claim to believe. I condemn both right-wing centrist and left-wing-claiming prohibitionists. I condemn both short haird and long haird prohibitionists
It’s about time we legalize this plant and take some of the powers away from big Pharm. Our prisons are filled to capacity with people who would rather smoke pot than drink legalized alcohol. Total support from this family who moved away from the police state of Texas. My sons got addicted to crack cocaine in TX because marijuana was dirt weed and hard to find. By moving to WA state, we are please to finally be in a progressive area that feels marijuana should be legalized, and regulated. It’s time to end the war on drugs and tell our government to take a hike.
Can people in Louisana vote on this???? What about us? And every other state that have zero despencerices zero tolerance for the plant and a abundince of ignorance and alcholic liars . I contribute for the cause yet see nothing. Sure wish I was fortunate enough to be born in a different state wtf makes Cali so special so sick of hiding smoking mexi when 18 year old fuks get a little card and get cream of the crop.
Legalization better happen soon! We the people I thought freedom ? Life Liberty, Prosute of happiness? Well we all ready choose yet get ignored
I have several medical conditions/problems that necessitate taking 17 to 22 prescriptions(depends on if I need any of my optional pills for the day). That is after I got my “Green Card” and dropped a few of the more toxic meds, I still have a lot, but at least the 5 worst of the bunch are gone thanks to MediJuana.
Medical Cannabis works very well in Washington, where I live. In addition to providing safe, unadulterated product to law-abiding consumers, a legalized and regulated Cannabis industry will also provide new jobs for many citizens, a wealth of tax revenue to ease the deficit as well as profits for many legitimate businesses to help stimulate the economy. Who is getting these perks now? The vicious foreign drug cartels, who have turned our Southwestern states into a killing field and our boarders into a sieve. The wisdom of finally ending this failed and disastrous social experiment is no theory at this point. We currently have working models in seventeen states and the District of Columbia which clearly demonstrate that legalization works, which is more than could ever be said of the alternative.
I don’t want to be That Guy, but 5 nano grams per millimeter, is like me walking by someone smoking a dubbie. My career involves driving so I get pulled over and get a DUI, over someone else smoking it, is outrageous. My mother is amedical,patient so just cause I live in the same house as her I can’t drive. Also pushinf this onto some prescription drugs, as well. I’m cool with people using for medical purposes, but most of the people trying to get this through just want to legally get high.
[Paul Armentano responds: False. Second-hand smoke exposure would not trigger concentrations of or near 5ng/ml THC in blood. Further, the presence of metabolites are excluded under this provision.]
I am a 49 year old male that has had a major improvement in my life due to using marijuana instead of wine for my pain due to arthritic hip, (replaced), and spondilyosis of the spine. I have since lost 150# and am in the best shape I have been in, in the past 10 years… While I do not approve of workers using marijuana in jobs where safety is a question, I am for an individuals right to persue life, liberty and thier own happiness. What right does any government have in taking away one of natures remedies for aging and injury? What right does the government or any individual have in hampering another humans pursuit of happiness? may God bless the citizens of WA state as they head to the polls. Your vote will make a difference in many lives. Make the choice for liberty. Thank you
This is wrong! The DWI law in this is going to ruin too many lives! Think and read the whole initiative.
Your life would be ruined if you got a DWI while driving stoned under the current laws. At least this gives people the opportunity to smoke at home without fear of legal issues.
It’s time to tax what a lot of people are doing anyways. If this is successfully, I predict many states will follow suit once they see the increased ax revenue.
It is no ones business what I do in the privacy of my home. If I feel that using cannabis is a benefit for my old bones I should be able to. I do not know where people get off judging me, if I do not harm anyone.I should be able to do whatever I want to.
These candidates that run for office we the people employ to do a job for us, if we want something by popular vote they are not in office to veto it,What do they think they are gods, or are more intelligent? If the people in office do not do our bidding, we shove them out! I am tired of hearing politicians talking like their some kind of supreme being. Just remember them, then cut them out next election fairly soon the elected ones will get the idea that they work for us!
There are too many people that are totally clueless concerning the DUI provisions. I work as a DUI defense attorney and right now the prosecutor’s don’t care what level of THC a person has, they charge it as a DUI under the affected by prong and apply liberal state patrol embellishment to get convictions. A legal limit on THC might actually reduce the amount of DUI prosecutions as jurors would actually have a frame of reference. 502 is a good initiative. Think baby steps, you can’t wait 30 years for a perfect law that never comes.
If pot is legalized, what will happen to current laws?
The State will certainly not want someone trying to muscle in on their racket and the penalties for trying to do so will more than likely become extreme, in my opinion.
They will send a message, as it’s all about money and not about who and how many are incarcerated, they could care less.
Anyone caught selling will get slammed.
Sounds good, but I believe that when ever Prosecutors get on TV and endorse something there is something shady going on.
[Editor’s note: Your concerns on non-sensible as consumers/sellers/growers in WA are already “slammed” by prohibition laws. Are consumers of alcohol slammed? No, only if they misuse or abuse the substance. The same thing for cannabis once it is legalized….
BTW, have you only now just discovered that ‘it is all about the money’?]
“At least this gives people the opportunity to smoke at home without fear of legal issues.”
“A legal limit on THC might actually reduce the amount of DUI prosecutions as jurors would actually have a frame of reference. ”
It is clear that few commentators have any idea just how little 5.00 nanograms per millileter actually is. It would take several days to a week to lower blood levels to this concentration from the consumption of a single reefer, which will mean a host of new enforcement, insurance, employment, and incarceration expenses that had not been anticipated, particularly since many may use what they would then regard as a state legal substance and then face a nightmare scenario for those who may drive several days later.
However, perhaps these additional burdens onto the State would still save money given how expensive the current system is both in terms of lives and money, particularly when factoring in how current laws benefit crime syndicates and those who abuse the public trust in their enforcement.
[Paul Armentano responds: You wrote: “It is clear that few commentators have any idea just how little 5.00 nanograms per millileter actually is. It would take several days to a week to lower blood levels to this concentration from the consumption of a single reefer.” False. After cannabis inhalation, THC blood levels typically fall below this proposed threshold within a matter of hours. See:
http://www.cprslaw.com/documents/BLOOD_CANNIBINOIDS_MODEL_I_BY_HUESTIS_1992.pdf. Carboxy THC, which is an inert metabolite present in urine, has a longer half-life but is exempt under I-502.]
How smart do we have to be? to realize what it takes to dissolve the criminal middle man ??
this 502 shoots down small business for the people and gives it to the state. the marijuana will cost too much because of state tax and state employees. so the underground market and medical will still thrive. the only thing this does is give the state more revenue through more DWI.
[Editor’s note: Non sense. Where in the initiative language supposedly hurts small business? And if it is these small businesses that keep overcharging consumers and patients for cannabis, why not have larger more efficiently run businesses produce and sell more affordable cannabis?
Why should consumers be forced to go to mom and pop operations??
Economic and market inefficiencies, along with exaggerations about DUID fines, are not valid or sane reasons to want cannabis prohibition to continue in WA.
-DUID canard-
Where are all the DUID fines over the past 12 years in WA for medical cannabis patients with the current ZERO standard for DUID (as compared to the 5ng standard proposed in the initiative)?
If DUID was a genuine concern for police in WA, they’d already be feasting on all the current medical cannabis patients who drive with the current zero nanogram standard.
Anyone who claims they’re concerned about the proposed DUID standards to such a high degree that they’d consider voting against a legalization initiative are either confused or have been misled.]
LETS GO PEOPLE! VOTE YES WE NEED THIS!!!!!
the editor to this blog is not hearing any valid views on voting no! he will only post things he can attack. and will not post facts. the facts are that Colorado shot down the 5 nano gram limit 3 times because it is not scientifically correct. and there actually is not a number at all for DUI for marijuana. there aren’t any deaths ever recorded. the only reason the DUI law was implemented was to get this law to pass and of course cause more state revenue. even though it will go on countless medical patients permanent records witch will make it hard to find jobs. this is not going to make cannabis more affordable. more people will get a medical authorization. the dispensary are not taxed or touched at all. while the state stores will hold a 25% tax. they will not be able to compete with dispensary or street prices because the cost of grow and tax will outweigh the profit margin. lets be real here! it does not grow outside in Washington state. so the numbers are not gonna work. people will still go to dispensary’s witch are untaxed. and they will go to their neighborhood pot dealer witch is untaxed! thank you!
[Editor’s note: Colorado voters have never been asked to vote on cannabis DUID laws (quasi-govt panels have tabled DUID regulations, not rejected them) and what is your complaint if patients have access to untaxed medicine?
Enjoy the new law…fix it where applicable…stop whining.]
There is no complaint. or whining. the law is just useless. you can have an oz of marijuana. if you get caught in the car with it chances are you are a regular smoker and you got a DUI. so driving with it is dangerous. before a person 17-20 years of age would get a small fine infraction for marijuana and now there is a zero tolerance so its a charge on the permanent record. now its an even bigger penalty if you grow it. stop and look and the punishments are worse that before. all this is just the state trying to stick there pocket in something that shouldn’t have a pocket! it should be completely legal!!
[Editor’s note: It was never lawful or wise to travel in WA with any amount of cannabis whether one was a patient or not, pre or post I-502; cannabis prohibition policy should not be shaped by teenage use and the penalty for growing cannabis without a license is not greater under legalization than prohibition.
You call the voters’ choice to end cannabis prohibition “useless”, but states attorneys in WA are already dropping hundreds of cases that happened prior to the vote. The people who just had their charges dropped and the taxpayers in WA who now don’t have to pay for their expensive journey into the criminal justice system don’t think that the voters’ will to change the policy is useless.]
I have been pulled over multiple times with cannabis prior to this. I am a medical patient so I was never bothered. I can bet that it will be very different now because the state has the go ahead to crack down. you need to understand that police are revenue writers. sure they dropped alot of charges and I applaud that! but this is because these petty charges to not increase state funds. but DUI does increase state revenue. so they will be all over it. if you cant drive with it? if you cant smoke it in public? if you cant grow it? This law did nothing but make it legal to posses a oz of marijuana in your home while stiffening the other penalty’s. this is all about the state getting revenue. 502 is broken and useless unless the cops find some marijuana in your house. or you are stopped walking down the street with it. Your arguments are petty compared to the very large broken issues with 502. people say laws aren’t perfect. but meanwhile this law waits to be changed. countless people will get DUI on their permanent records witch will make it hard to find jobs, and cause financial distress.