In what is likely to be one of last polls coming out of Washington State prior to Election Day, Initiative 502 to regulate marijuana is still holding strong to the commanding lead it has developed over the past few months. Data released from King 5 and SurveyUSA has I-502 leading among likely Washington voters, 56% stated they would vote yes on the measure with only 37% planning to vote no. There are just 7% still undecided.
This continues a several month trend of Washington’s I-502 leading in the polling data. A poll released last week by Strategies 360 had the marijuana initiative’s support leading opposition 54% to 38%. King5/SurveyUSA’s previous two polls from October and September had I-502 ahead at 55% to 36% and 57% to 34% respectively.
With just a few days left until November 6th, it seems unlikely the opposition will be able to overcome such a significant gap, putting Washington State on track to be the first state to legalize adult use of marijuana. Though, that may depend on how quickly the votes can be counted. The latest polling out of Colorado had their legalization initiative, Amendment 64, leading 53% to 43%.
Don’t become complacent because victory appears in sight! Check out NORML’s Smoke the Vote Guide to learn all about marijuana in the 2012 election. You can also read our “7 Simple Ways YOU Can Help Legalize Marijuana” and find some quick and easy ways you can help us sprint across the finish line. One of the most important things you can do with the remaining days is call voters in Colorado in support of Amendment 64 by using SSDP/NORML‘s online phone bank or JustSayNow‘s online program.
We WILL legalize marijuana. Let’s start on November 6th.
UPDATED:
After publishing this story KCTS9 in Washington released another new Washington State poll. Adding credence to the King5 numbers, KCTS9 found that 55.8% of registered voters were supportive of I-502 with only 36.7% opposed. Those numbers held strong when looking at just likely voters as well, who support the marijuana regulation initiative by 55.4% to 37.6%.
The way I see it, even if this partial legalization thing passes in several states, this doesn’t eliminate the problem of cartels, and doesn’t free up the courts either. Thats because as long as this tax and regulate thing is implemented, the cartels will still be in the business, their prices and quality will come down, the courts will still be all tied-up because the gov’t cronies will still be concocting new laws which in turn is a waste of time and really this so called legalization will not be legalization at all.
THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM: If you want MJ legal then make it legal so that people can grow their own for personal use. This would eliminate the cartel problems, the cost to our court system would be relieved. This alone would help our country out of this economic situation that our government has gotten all of “we the people” into financially and the government could stop wasting our tax payers money on this big “Cat and Mouse Project” money mongering game of prohibition that “we the people have been delved into for decades.
FULL LEGALIZATION IS THE ONLY WAY. Otherwise, “We the People” will assuredly still be nothing more than “subjects of oppression” and victims of a corrupted government.
100% LEGALIZATION IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE MARIJUANA CARTELS AND THE CRIME, UNLESS OF COURSE THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONTINUE MANIPULATING OUR LIVES!
Correction to post by Bren: (the cartels will still be in business, their prices will come down and THE QUALITY WILL GO UP)
I fully admit that I may be misinformed, but I am not *trying* to “propagate incorrect and misleading information”. It was my understanding that public forums like this were to increase understanding of the issue, not bitch-slap someone if they’re wrong – and I admit I MAY VERY WELL BE WRONG – I truly hope I am!
If 502 passes (and it looks like it will! yay!) and is implemented (which I question) I will start growing the very next day. I will also be in line for one of those permits to produce once the liquor control board starts releasing them.
I don’t dispute that other states have marijuana laws that conflict with federal laws – and *as I understand it*, that’s the beauty of our system: a state can make a law that contradicts federal law; however, it’s also my understanding that a state cannot make a law that REQUIRES a person to break a federal law – This is why large portions of 5073 were vetoed by Gregoire.
Look, I want this to be legal and pass and work like a charm as much as the next Ent. However, *I do not understand* (and you have not explained) how licensing under 5073 (which got vetoed) is different than licensing under I-502.
I hope it is. I want it to be. It doesn’t appear to be, TO ME and I would love it if you could explain it to me rather than just attack me. Don’t come at me with “OK then, where are the busts?” Just explain to me why we should expect this to work when 5073 got vetoed.
Re Scott (and Michael Miller) above:
What’s up brothers?!!? Seems you should be happy–overjoyed–that a state in our country (and maybe two) are on the verge of LEGALIZING POT!!! What’s wrong with you? Don’t you want legal pot? Seems both of you are doing your damndest to find something wrong. Sure it’s not going to be perfect; sure there will probably be a few problems in the road up ahead, but for gosh sakes, man, we’re about to have it legal in this country somewhere!! Would you rather it remain illegal, where you could be subject to arrest at any time for carrying a friggin’ roach? Are you that cynical? Maybe a troll? Or maybe a grower who wants to keep your obscenely high black market prices intact?
I’m a washington resident.. My problem.. I’m a convicted felon with a non violent felony charge.. I’m not sure if I can vote until my felony probation has ended in June 2013! Help.. I have my mail in ballot in front of me and I want to send this out with a yes vot on I 502
Jim,
With all due respect, the Feds will be doing the same sh** they’ve been doing for most of the last century. Why will legalizing pot make their behavior any different? They had to accept facts when alcohol prohibition ended; whatever fuss they put up if/when MJ gets legalized in Wash/Colo, they’ll (eventually, if not sooner) have to accept that too.
Let’s not worry about the Feds’ reaction. Let’s legalize pot first–then we’ll worry about that upcoming bridge.
Be real. None of the three states that are trying to pass marijuana legalization will succeed this round, maybe never. If you steer away from these personal blogs which have a one-sided opinion, either for or against, and look at the overall media coverage of this issue along with how regular folks, voters, are reacting to this, for the most part it’s neutral leaning against. Which on an issue like this will lead to mostly NO votes. The growing and distribution community is such a small percentage of people, overall maybe 40% use marijuana a few times in their life, maybe up to 20% use it daily. Yes those percentages grow a bit with each generation but not enough to matter at the voting booths. In a state or federal vote marijuana will never win. Maybe at a county, city or community level but not at a state or federal one. Even legal medical is suffering setbacks in most states, both from local and federal LEO. I’m for legalization but pro folks who actually believe we are moving toward a pro-marijuana society should think again, we are not. The majority of Americans who have almost no opinion on this issue would mostly vote NO, the pro folks are a minority and the anti folks have more people in their camp then the pro’s. It’s a good thing to talk about it, but we all know this two-party system changes leadership and direction every 4-8 years. The drug war is enormously valuable to some very powerful people who run this country. It’s not going to be as easy as getting some initiative, prop or bill up for a vote and magically legalization appears. Even though this has been a long figh tfor many pro folks it’s fairly new to the majority of America and it will be decades, not years, before any true legalization is created at either state or federal levels. Sad but true. It’s good to root for your team to win, but once the game is over and you have lost that loss has to be accepted. I’m fairly certain there will be a cure fro cancer before marijuana is fully legalized anywhere in the USA. Peace.
[Editor’s note: Well OK….thanks for all your negativity and bad vibes. Here is to the voters proving you wrong starting tomorrow night.]
all drugs should be legal for adults no goverment should have the right to tell u what u can or cant put into our bodys .(were not childeren)but the info should be out there.
@ C
“if you steer away from these personal blogs”? Norml is far more than a few people behind computer screens(I learned about this crusade on orientation day at my college, where Norml is a respected club)…please do your homework! But then I see the numbers you posted and I realize that is incredibly unlikely:( It isn’t that fact that you are simply making up numbers (overall MAYBE %40 use a few times and MAYBE %20 use daily. Nice job citing your sources!), but your failure to recognize the demographics…You are trying to lump an incredibly progressive state with the entire country… You fail to understand the article…Multiple polls are showing Washington will make history! And by the way Norml, cites it’s information! Your comment is spineless gibberish…The reality is very powerful people will only remain very powerful if people like you let them…Stop being a sheep!
Sooo…now that that is out of my system GO WA & CO! I have already started making vacation plans:)
Something glorious is about to happen. Marijuana prohibition is on the verge of collapsing if the voters in Colorado, Orgeon and Washington want it. Don’t let the Debby Downers have their way with you! If they have their way, you will be forced to read headlines on Nov 7th saying that these iniatives have failed. Look what happened in California. The Debby Downers) helped shoot down prop 19, and California isn’t even thinking about legalization for at least two more years (2014?). Legalize! History happens!
Re: Evening Bud
My brother, I am over the moon that it looks like I-502 is going to pass, I truly am. It is the first step, for me, on the road to becoming a legitimate grower in the state of Washington.
That being said, I see what may be trouble on the horizon for this initiative, after it passes. I’m not trying to harsh your buzz – just hoping my fears are unfounded.
Supposezz … That MJ is legeal for trade only in a state(s) and the feds supress the importation to the U.S. and the “several states” .. and since we grow the best bud in the world in the northwest … We cpould leave the feds to chase cartel pot destined for the red states that will become known as SWAG statesw. local and state cops could work on supressing unauthorized grows in eachj state kping the prison industrial boys happy Oh and we can tax MJ and use the money for treatmnt for pople hooked on REAL NARCOTICS Prescription Pills and METH oh aqnd SUGAR and cocain
Scott,
Good for you, my friend. Sorry to get so harsh in my earlier post; it just brought back memories of California two years ago.
As for the impending trouble–that may or may not be. But, I’m sure you can agree, let’s pass it first, then deal with the problems.
Until then, be safe.
C,
I’m not gonna bother addressing your multiple points. You seem beyond cynical. It will be interesting to see you if you make an appearance on these message boards after the election.
I think the new narrative should be “RE-legalize” marijuana, as it once was long ago, when the words Liberty and Freedom meant a little more than they do today.
It’s funny how anyone who brings up any of the facts about this bad piece of legislation is being called “negative” or “cynical”. The people who depend on medical marijuana
will be the most adversely affected. This flawed legislation does not legalize marijuana and it will increase illegal growing and distibution which when people see the 75% tax being
It’s funny how anyone who brings up any of the facts about this bad piece of legislation is being called “negative” or “cynical”. The people who depend on medical marijuana
will be the most adversely affected. This flawed legislation does not legalize marijuana and it will increase illegal growing and distibution which when people see the 75% tax being added to their “legal” weed, they will go back to see their local illegal dealer. We all want it legal, but this is not the way to get there.
Hmmm, C makes a good point. His numbers may not be empirically backed up, but his position is definitely not far fetched, in fact I think it’s quite pragmatic. Of course I hope he (or she) is wrong, but we’ll just have to see. Safe wishes to all, keep your heads down and your powder dry.
Med mj patient, you bring that negativity on yourself when you as a medical marijuana user vote to continue to criminalize all adult marijuana use. If the shoe fits……..Legalization will happen with or without you.
Irving,
Personally I don’t care who thinks voicing opposing views is being negative. Just making the observation that its a pretty immature and shallow way to debate the suject. If you think I502 in Wa is legalization, you will be sadly dissapointed. Also, even I’d it passes, the Feds will overrule it. The facts are quite negative with regard to I502, sorry to kill your buzz.
[Paul Armentano responds: I-502 removes criminal and civil penalties on the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis by those age 21 and older. In the sense that the state will no longer classify cannabis as contraband it is therefore ‘legal.’ Similar to when New York and various other states turned their backs on alcohol prohibition, the federal government is not going to use its limited manpower or resources to federalize what previously were violations of state law.]
Well, C, it’s been legalized. Why not go outside and try a yummy infused snack under the enticing sunset sky we had this evening! Did you notice the sky? It was truly beautiful!
We did it – we actually did it. Here’s hoping the feds leave us alone and don’t sue to stop it – or worse, bust us.
Congratulations people… fingers crossed.
in my experience, I have noticed that the people usually against this initiative are the ones that are making money off of it. I am glad this time the law worked for the good of the masses who purchase it and do not sell it.
Looks like it passed. So since it has passed when does it become active?
“Be real. None of the three states that are trying to pass marijuana legalization will succeed this round, maybe never. If you steer away from these personal blogs which have a one-sided opinion, either for or against, and look at the overall media coverage of this issue along with how regular folks, voters, are reacting to this, for the most part it’s neutral leaning against………”
blah blah blah, i bet this guy is eating crow this morning.
It won’t become active. First the state will fight the law, then the feds. During this time the law will remain in limbo. It will probably lead to de-criminalization in the end. I’m amazed it even passed, but this is just the beginning of the fight, and anyone that thinks pot is now legal in Colorado or Washington needs to think again, it’s not. What’s ironic is this “almost” legalization will only lead to more regulation, high taxing and higher pot prices. Thanks guys.
Here is the brilliance of the Washington law which will hyper-tax marijuana into the highest prices ever seen.
“The Washington state measure includes a 25% tax imposed when the grower sells marijuana to a processor, again when the processor sells it to a retailer, and a third time when the retailer sells it to a customer.”
If you think this three prong tax formula won’t raise prices to the highest we’ve seen them ever, again, think again. And again, thanks a lot.
I’m PRO-Legalization! More irony with people here attacking me for being honest.
No one will be well served by deluding themselves. C has got it straight. There is still a long way to go, and of course it is is so! Look at the powerful interests that are utterly dedicated to prohibition! This is the opening act in a fight that is far from over.
There is a great deal of legal wrangling over how these new laws will be administered, there are the glaring tax issues C mentioned, there is the continued powerful lobby for prohibition, and there is of course the question of federal law. Props to C for telling the truth! We got a ways to go, guys.