Updated: "Organizers: Wash. legal pot measure won't make ballot"

UPDATE: "Pot Versus Alcohol: Experts Say Booze Is the Bigger Danger" (Paul Armentano):

For more than three decades, America's marijuana policies have been based upon rhetoric. Perhaps it's time to begin listening to what the experts have to say.

KOMO News (AP):

An initiative to legalize marijuana for adults in Washington state will not qualify for the fall ballot, an organizer said Thursday.

Seattle medical marijuana attorney Douglas Hiatt told The Associated Press that the effort fell about 40,000 to 50,000 signatures short of the 241,000 that must be turned in by Friday. Hiatt said his group, Sensible Washington, will try again next year. MORE...

WA I-1068: "Will pot legalization initiative make fall ballot?"

Chris Grygiel (seattlepi.com):

With a nod to its base, the campaign to legalize marijuana for adults in Washington has made an appointment to turn in initiative signatures to the secretary of state's office at 4:20 p.m. Friday.

The late-in the day timing (Friday is the last day for campaigns to turn in signatures) will help Initiative 1068 gather John Hancocks until the last minute. The campaign has struggled to gather the required 241,000 signatures of registered voters for a spot on the November ballot. The time - 4:20 p.m. - is also well known to marijuana enthusiasts as the time of the day when people across the world light up.

State officials say the I-1068 campaign has told them they've got about 200,000 signatures so far - and have been getting many petitions back every day. The state Elections Division urges campaigns to submit at least 300,000 signatures, allowing for a pad to cover duplicate or invalid signatures.

Howie P.S.: Sensible Washington is having a volunteer celebration tomorrow @ Alki from noon-6pm. I-1068 was a grassroots, volunteer=driven effort. By comparison, "Beverage distributors pour $1.4 mil into liquor privatization" (seattlepi.com):

Two big beverage distributors have given $1.4 million to Initiative 1105, one of two measures seeking to privatize liquor sales in Washington state.

The other effort - I-1100 - turned in 396,000 signatures to the state last week. I-1100 is backed by Costco, which has contributed $735,000.

I-1105 has until Friday provide the secretary of state 241,000 signatures of registered voters to qualify for the November ballot. They're supposed to drop off signatures at 1:30 p.m. that day. Odom Southern Holdings of Bellevue has given $654,000 to the measure and and Young's Market Company of Los Angeles has chipped in
$850,000. The two companies both cut $320,000 checks on June 23, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.

How I-1068 Fits with the "Values" of the WA Democratic Party

Lee (HorsesAss.org):

State Democrats endorsed I-1068, but not without some consternation:

There was a small political skirmish here in Vancouver this afternoon—delegates made motions to consider 1068 separately, to extend debate, and to officially endorse the initiative. [State Vice Chair Sharon] Smith said that, “we expected this to come to a floor discussion. There are some things that are clearly Democratic party values, and then there are things like this that aren’t so clear.”

I’m not really sure what the heck Smith is referring to with that comment, so I went to the Washington State Democrats homepage to see if my previous notions of what Democrats stood for have changed radically in the past week. Here’s what they have listed on their “What We Stand For” page: MORE...

WA "Democrats Endorse Pot Legalization Initiative"

Publicola:

Bucking the recommendation of their executive board, delegates to the Washington State Democratic Convention endorsed I-1068 (the marijuana legalization initiative) with 62 percent “yes” vote (314 to 185). The executive board had given no recommendation on the initiative because “the committee was even more split than the delegates,” according to State Vice Chair Sharon Smith.

There was a small political skirmish here in Vancouver this afternoon—delegates made motions to consider 1068 separately, to extend debate, and to officially endorse the initiative. Smith said that, “we expected this to come to a floor discussion. There are some things that are clearly Democratic party values, and then there are things like this that aren’t so clear.”

One convention delegate worried that a 1068 endorsement might have broader implications statewide–that Democratic candidates would be associated with this endorsement: “It’s going to make it harder.”

Delegates also considered the two liquor privatization initiatives separately, and eventually opposed both I-1100 and I-1105.

Howie P.S.: We'll have to wait and see if this endorsement helps to get I-1068 on the statewide November ballot and helps turn out the newer, younger voters like the Obama campaign did. Some early polling has shown that a majority of likely voters statewide support I-1068 while their eastern Washington counterparts do not. Andrew (NPI Advocate) is blogging from the convention floor.

Marijuana (WA I-1068): "Not just a high" (with video)

Cannabis compounds show their stuff against a host of medical problems, relieving symptoms far beyond pain and nausea.

Nathan Seppa (ScienceNews):

Scientists test medicinal marijuana against MS, inflammation and cancer. In science’s struggle to keep up with life on the streets, smoking cannabis for medical purposes stands as Exhibit A.

Medical use of cannabis has taken on momentum of its own, surging ahead of scientists’ ability to measure the drug’s benefits. The pace has been a little too quick for some, who see medicinal joints as a punch line, a ruse to free up access to a recreational drug.

But while the medical marijuana movement has been generating political news, some researchers have been quietly moving in new directions — testing cannabis and its derivatives against a host of diseases. The scientific literature now brims with potential uses for cannabis that extend beyond its well-known abilities to fend off nausea and block pain in people with cancer and AIDS. Cannabis derivatives may combat multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory conditions, the new research finds. Cannabis may even kill cancerous tumors. MORE...

Howie P.S.: From the petition-signing battle on the street, video from KING5 (02:37). Apparently the marijuana initiative, I-1068, is so popular the other initiative groups are using it to get signatures fror their efforts.

Another Argument for WA I-1068

"100,000 Americans Die Each Year from Prescription Drugs, While Pharma Companies Get Rich" (Daniela Perdomo-AlterNet):

The study estimating that 100,000 Americans die each year from their prescriptions looked only at deaths from known side effects. That is, those deaths didn’t happen because the doctor made a mistake and prescribed the wrong drug, or the pharmacist made a mistake in filling the prescription, or the patient accidentally took too much. Unfortunately, thousands of patients die from such mistakes too, but this study looked only at deaths where our present medical system wouldn’t fault anyone. Tens of thousands of people are dying every year from drugs they took just as the doctor directed. This shows you how dangerous medications are. MORE...

Howie P.S.: There no cases of death by a lethal dose of marijuana.

BREAKING: Shout out from West Seattle I-1068 Volunteer Coordinator Kirk Prindle

Kirk Prindle:

In anticipation of release of 80,000 I-1068 petitions in tomorrow’s edition of The Stranger, socially-conscious West Seattle businesses are helping to let their community’s voice be heard. The West Seattle area – including diverse communities of color where the tragic impacts of continued prohibition are so profound – has consistently voiced strong support for I-1068 and West Seattle businesses are contributing to the effort by providing centralized locations for collecting and compiling signed petitions.

Completed and partially-filled petitions – even individual signatures are important – can now be turned in at the following West Seattle business locations during indicated business hours:

Mountain To Sound Outfitters
3602 SW Alaska St.
West Seattle, WA 98126
Open Mon-Wed 11am-6PM; Thur-Fri 11am-7PM; Sat 10am-6PM; Sun 11-4pm


Red Cup Espresso
4451 California Ave. SW
West Seattle, WA 98116
Open weekdays 6am-5pm; Sat 7am-4pm; Sun 8-3pm


Big Al Brewing
9832 14th Avenue Southwest
Seattle, WA 98106
Open Wed 3pm-9am; Thu 3pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 3pm-11pm; Sun 12pm-5pm


Full Tilt Ice Cream
White Center
9629 16th Ave Sw
Open 12pm-10pm Tues-Sat. 12pm-9pm Sunday, Closed Monday

Petitions with signatures need to be submitted by the June 30th deadline, but earlier submission is preferred to allow time for signature verification (signatories need to be registered to vote in the State of Washington).

WA I-1068: AG McKenna Says State Leg Can Regulate Pot

Sensible Washington:

Today State AG Rob McKenna told KUOW-FM that if 1068 passes the leg can impose civil regulations on marijuana, totally rebutting yesterday's claim by the ACLU of WA that the leg couldn't impose regulations for two years. We appreciate McKenna, who's an authority on initiatives, clearing the air. Link to the program is... below. Listen to the podcast at about 47:20. -Philip.

It's Official: "80,000 Copies Of I-1068 Will Be In The Stranger On June 23"

Philip Dawdy (Sensible Washington):

You read that right. Sensible Washington–thanks to our many supporters’ contributions–is paying to have I-1068 inserted into each copy of The Stranger’s 80,000 print run this Wednesday June 23rd. We’ll also have a full page ad explaining to people how they can sign the initiative, get their friends and family to sign it, and send it on into us by the end of June 28th.

We’re doing this because the weather has been awful all spring (June is already at 200+ percent of normal precipitation for the month) and it’s been very difficult to intersect with the voting public in the Seattle Metro area to get their signatures on I-1068. So tell all your friends and neighbors to get a copy of this week’s Stranger and to get us a bunch of signatures and mail them in by the end of June 28th to the address on the petition.

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Publicola on I-1068: "For Reasons I Could Not Fathom"

"Morning Fizz" (Publicola):

While Democratic party regulars like the ACLU and the the Service Employees International Union have decided not to back the marijuana legalization initiative, Washington State Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz said in an email that the Democrats will endorse the initiative at their convention in Vancouver this weekend.

Pelz sent out an email last week urging party members to get behind I-1098, the high-earners income tax, and in a follow-up email with one party member, he indicated that I-1068, the legalization measure, will get the party’s endorsement.
MORE...

"I-1068 and the Power of Hope: Democracy, reason and true progressive leadership"

Kirk Prindle:

The tragic ramifications of continued prohibition in regard to social justice, civil rights, and environmental and economic sustainability have been a focus of Washington State progressive groups through the past decade. This is, quite simply, because the heartbreaking consequences of prohibition to Washington’s working families – especially in underprivileged areas and communities of color – can no longer be ignored.

Even as research continues to confirm the numerous health and social benefits of a natural plant medicine – in regard to cancer treatment and prevention, domestic violence rates, pain relief, anxiety, arthritis, glaucoma, etc… the list is ever-growing – Washington families are still being torn apart and individual lives destroyed by our draconian marijuana laws (remember it was just in 1995 that Newt Gingrich proposed a bill that would require the death penalty for marijuana distribution).

This is why it is so heartening to see progressive values and the importance of I-1068 emphasized by mainstream democratic groups even as other purported progressive “leaders” cower to long-perpetuated scare tactics and racism-infused lies and propaganda. The power of hope is palpable as democratic groups are now providing resounding support for I-1068. I-1068 is currently endorsed by the King County Democratic Central Committee, the Whatcom County Democrats, the Fidalgo Democrats, and the 23rd, 30th, 37th, 39th and 41st District Democrats.

And now, word from Dwight Pelz on the Washington State Democratic Central Committee:

______________________

Subject: RE: ACTION ALERT: Middle class tax reform
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:54:58 -0700

We are holding our convention next week, and I anticipate endorsement of 1068.

Dwight

It seems the answer to the question of whether the people of Washington can overcome over 80 years of mis-information to embrace social justice, personal liberty, and important health alternatives is now coming through loud and clear:

Yes we Cannabis!

Kirk Prindle

(Kirk Prindle is a West Seattle I-1068 coordinator and a resident of the Delridge Neighborhood)

80,000 I-1068 Petitions Coming in this week's "Stranger" Newspaper

Photo by Hannah Winters
According to Sensible Washington, the sponsors of I-1068, they have raised the necessary funds from individual supporters to have 80,000 petitions inserted into the next issue of The Stranger, an alternative, free Seattle weekly newspaper. If people can get busy and have registered voters sign properly and make sure the petitions are turned back to Sensible Washington in the next seven days, there is now a very good chance I-1068 will make it to the ballot.

WA "I-1068 Volunteer Spotlight: Marilyn" (video)

sensiblewhatcom, video (02:33).

"...marijuana arrests cost $169.39 million in Washington for 2006."

Jon Gettman ("Marijuana in Washington"):

The criminal justice system in Washington cost $3.41 billion for 2006. This includes state, county, and costs. Here is the breakdown for those costs:

Police Protection $1.33 billion
Judicial and Legal Services $666.47 million
Corrections $1.41 billion
Total $3.41 billion

The federal Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) provides a simple way of making a general estimate of the criminal justice costs of drug‐related arrests. Actually, estimating the costs of different types of arrests is a very complicated challenge because of the differences between individual offenses and, for example, the investigative and follow‐up work they require. However the use of a percentage basis method provides a general estimate of the costs associated with marijuana offenses. The method utilized by ONDCP is to (a) calculate the percentage of total arrests accounted for by drug arrests and then (b) apply that percentage to total criminal justice system costs. There were 290,650 arrests in Washington in 2006. There were 14,434 marijuana arrests that year, accounting for 4.97% of all arrests in Washington for 2006. Consequently, according to this percentage basis method of estimation, marijuana arrests cost $169.39 million in Washington for 2006. MORE...

NPR: "The Man Bankrolling California's Pot Initiative" (with audio)

Richard Lee has created a multimillion-dollar empire in Oakland, Calif., built largely on medicinal pot. And now, he wants to take it a step further, by turning marijuana into a totally legal, taxable commodity for any Californian age 21 or older.

NPR, with audio (05:41):

In November, California voters will decide whether to make all pot legal, even for recreational use, 14 years after medical marijuana was legalized.

The measure would violate federal drug laws, but that hasn't stopped Oakland, Calif., businessman Richard Lee from spending millions to get the issue passed.

In a revitalized neighborhood on the north side of downtown Oakland where medical marijuana is king, an old storefront throbs with the pulse of rock music. The unmistakable scent of ganja fills the air. Some call the neighborhood "Oaksterdam." MORE...

Howie P.S.: Bruce Ramsey opines in the Seattle Times:

Dawdy's group has had a tough time. At the beginning of the signature drive, a bank refused to process online donations, fearing it was money laundering for a dope business. Later a police bust of a medical-marijuana dispensary seized signed petitions as evidence (of what?). And now the I-1068 people are dumped by our local Left.

The last move does not surprise me too much. I keep telling people that a lot of the lefties in this state, and particularly in this city, are not liberal. They aren't interested in individual rights--at least, not rights to do very many things outside a bedroom. Progressive activists are believers in government. They want to save the Earth by controlling people more, including by banning the use of tobacco outdoors in the public parks. I think the broad group of people who vote leftward are far more tolerant than the activists, and would vote for I-1068 if they could. Maybe now they won't get the chance. MORE...

I-1068 @ Seattle Folklife: "12,000 signatures and registered over 500 new voters."

Sensible Washington:

Folklife went well for us despite horrible weather almost the entire weekend. We got about 12,000 signatures and registered over 500 new voters. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked so hard on our behalf in trying conditions. More big events coming. Stay tuned. -Philip

I-1068 @ Seattle Folklife: "Volunteer footage from Saturday" (video)

Sensible Washington, with video.

Howie P.S.: Meet six volunteer signature gatherers (video).

Sensible Washington: "Update On Seized I-1068 Petitions"

Philip Dawdy (Sensible Washington):

I wanted to give you all an update on the status of the signed I-1068 petitions which were seized by federally-funded WestNET personnel in a raid of the North End 420 Club in Tacoma two weeks ago. The 420 Club is operating as a medical marijuana dispensary.

Two of the seized petitions will be returned to us promptly, according to a WestNET detective I spoke with earlier this morning. They will be picked up by our Bremerton coordinator from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office evidence room, likely before the end of today.

These two petitions have been photocopied and I have asked WestNET to destroy those photocopies. They tell me they cannot without an agreement between the prosecution and defense because, well, that’s the way these things work. We will be working to make that agreement happen, but it will take some time. My sense of things, from talking with the WestNET detective, is that no one on the law enforcement side will oppose the destruction of those photocopies.

Why were they seized as evidence in the place? The WestNET detective I spoke with said their search warrant authorized them to take any kind of list or ledger they encountered during their search. That’s their explanation. I simply wish the officers who conducted the raid would’ve used a bit more discretion when they were grabbing lists and ledgers because I-1068 petitions are clearly marked as an initiative to the people and even have formal language directed to Secretary of State Sam Reed. Not exactly evidence of criminal activity.

The remaining problem is that the 420 Club people insist that there were 10 signed petitions seized in the raid and WestNET tells me they only have two and that they have gone through their evidence boxes from the raid and there are no other copies of the petition. So we’ve got a discrepancy here that I cannot account for. Neither can WestNET or the 420 Club. My hope is that these missing eight petitions will turn up later somewhere in the chain of evidence and be returned to us before July 2, our deadline to submit signed petitions to the Secretary of State.

My fingers are officially crossed both for the missing petitions and for the 420 Club people as they begin to defend themselves against charges all because our state’s medical marijuana law is vague–even the WestNET detective agrees with me on this–and offers slim protection to people providing physician-authorized medicine to legitimate patients.

The 420 Club raid is another example of why it is imperative to get I-1068 on the ballot, so if you haven’t signed the initiative please do so. If you’d like to volunteer to help gather signatures, please fill out our volunteer form right here and we’ll be in touch promptly. We only have until the end of June to get this done, so let’s all get this done.

Howie P.S.: Meanwhile,

Philip is "battling Live Nation, the people who operate the Gorge, for access for our volunteers at the Sasquatch Festival. They are denying us access and I am so mad I cannot see straight. Only about 99.9 percent of their audience and performers approve of our cause, so why the denial is beyond me."

WA I-1068: We "have now done more with less than any other organization in initiative history"

Photo by Hannah Winters

Sensible Washington:

We as a campaign have now done more with less than any other organization in initiative history, and this is your achievement. We continue to try to raise money for the campaign and are hoping for help as we have been contacted recently by a couple of coalitions that may help us. I had hoped to be able to augment our volunteeer effort with some help from paid signature gatherers and to be able to offer anyone currently with the campaign the option of working with the paid group. This has not happened and we cannot count on it happening. We must continue on with or without hope of help.

I believe that the campaign currently has 100,000 signatures or so. We need to get everything coming in on a continuous basis now so we can get accurate running counts so we really know what we have to do. Right now, I think we have about 220,000 signatures to go to hit our overall goal of 320,000. If we get help, great, then maybe we get to 420,000!

We have to go go go with a maximum effort and push or all we have already done will be wasted. We must get this on the ballot! There is no other way. If you believe in polls I will tell you something else: those same donors ran one, and it shows us winning if we can get I-1068 on the ballot! Let’s do it. Let’s go crazy and show em’ how its done! MORE...

"Hannah Winters: El Puerco Lloron I-1068" (photos)

Hannah Winters (Picasa Web), photos.