Pubdate: Fri, 07 Sep 2012
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2012 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Ronald Morrison

GET INFORMED ABOUT POT INITIATIVE

Consider voting "yes" on Initiative 502, the marijuana initiative on 
Washington state's ballot. Face it, we have been chasing our tail on 
marijuana policy for decades. Current policy addressing marijuana's 
availability and use is laughable. We've outlawed its production and 
use generally, but voted twice to make marijuana production and use 
legal for "medical need" (implementation of which is crazy).

We have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in Washington state 
trying to enforce marijuana law. One can fairly question to what 
effect? Despite the get-tough intent, marijuana remains widely 
available, and citizens across the social spectrum use it recreationally.

This failed policy demands we try something else. Initiative 502 is a 
well-researched and tightly drawn proposal that offers a new approach 
to regulation. It would remove state law prohibitions on marijuana 
production and sale but - and this is a big important but - place 
marijuana licensing and regulation under the State Liquor Control 
Board. It would permit marijuana to be produced, sold and taxed under 
tightly controlled regulation.

This would clearly be safer and better than Washington's current 
unregulated medical marijuana market and the black market supplying 
recreational users.

Do not be a knee-jerk "no." Read the initiative; this one requires a 
thoughtful, informed vote.

- -Ronald Morrison, Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom