Pubdate: Wed, 01 Jan 2014
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2014 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Author: Bob Young
Note: Information from The Seattle Times archives and The Associated Press
is included in this report.

2013: BIG YEAR FOR CHANGE IN MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

The year began shortly after Colorado and Washington altered the
drug-policy landscape by legalizing weed the previous November. At the
start of 2013, both states got down to writing rules to implement the
will of the voters. By year's end, both states had created a framework
for regulating the commercial production, processing and selling of
recreational marijuana. Along the way, milestones occurred here in
Washington and as far away as Uruguay.

Jan. 24

The state Liquor Control Board, charged with implementing Washington's
legal pot law, begins holding public hearings. Seattle City Hall is
packed to capacity on Jan. 24. John Eskola, representing small
medical-marijuana growers, seems to speak for many when he tells board
members: "The war is over. We won. Don't punish us, take our money."

March 18

Washington state hires pot consultants, led by Mark Kleiman, a UCLA
professor. Kleiman quickly makes buzz-killing news, declaring that tax
revenue from pot will fall far short of projections for 2014.

May 12

After a Seattle Times story about the large carbon footprint of indoor
pot farms, the state Liquor Control Board reverses course and allows
sun-grown pot in greenhouses. Later the board goes further and allows
fenced outdoor fields of pot.

May 30

Former Microsoft manager Jamen Shively declares he wants to be "Big
Marijuana" with a brand of pot sold across the nation. Shively and
Vicente Fox, former president of Mexico, hold a news conference on the
40th floor of Seattle's Columbia Center to urge an end to pot
prohibition.

Aug. 16

For the city's first Hempfest with legal pot, the Seattle Police
Department conducts Operation Orange Fingers. Cops hand out bags of
cheesy Doritos with educational messages affixed. One tip from cops
about Pink Floyd: "Do listen to 'Dark Side of the Moon' at a
reasonable volume."

Aug. 29

In perhaps the year's biggest pot news, the federal Department of
Justice says it will let Colorado and Washington proceed with legal
pot as long as they adhere to eight priorities, including keeping
legal pot from minors.

Oct. 16

The state adopts revised rules. Residents and nonresidents are allowed
to buy one ounce per visit at the state's 334 proposed retail stores,
which can be open from 8 a.m. to midnight. (Colorado limits
nonresidents to one-quarter ounce to deter "smurfing," or aggregating
small purchases so they can be sold in another state.)

Oct. 22

A new Gallup Poll shows a big jump in support for legalizing pot, with
58 percent in favor, a new national high. It's quite a leap from the
time Gallup first asked the question in 1969, when only 12 percent
favored legalization.

Nov. 21

More drivers are testing positive for marijuana since Washington
legalized the drug, according to the State Patrol. In the first six
months of 2013, the patrol's crime lab reports that 745 people tested
positive for marijuana. Typically, there are about 1,000 positive pot
tests on drivers in a full year, according to the State Patrol, which
said it's looking more for pot impairment and might be ordering more
tests.

Dec. 1

The Liquor Control Board issues recommendations to the Legislature for
reconciling the largely unregulated medical marijuana system with the
regulated recreational market. Patients would be allowed fewer plants
and a smaller supply, and would face new medical definitions and new
restrictions on doctors authorizing medical marijuana.

Dec. 23

Uruguay becomes the first country to legalize marijuana. With just 3.3
million people, the South American country is smaller in area and
population than Washington. Each household is allowed six plants and
adults can buy up to 40 grams per month in pharmacies.

Dec. 31

Washington state appears bullish on marijuana, as wannabe
entrepreneurs submit applications for 4,946 pot business licenses.
Growers seeks licenses in 38 of 39 counties and retailers apply for
244 store licenses in Seattle - almost 12 times as many as the 21
stores state officials have allocated to the city.

Information from The Seattle Times archives and The Associated Press
is included in this report.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D