2012 Washington Initiative 502

Referendum on marijuana October 2015 Initiative 502 Washington On Marijuana Reform 1,724,209 1,371,235 3,095,444 3,904,948 275px County results 275px Congressional district results 275px Precinct results Yes #2B2457 90–100% 1px #AAAAAA solid #28497C 80–90% 1px #AAAAAA solid #47729E 70–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #7D9CBB 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #B6C8D9 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid No #32320C 90–100% 1px #AAAAAA solid #5D5D2D 80–90% 1px #AAAAAA solid #8B8B54 70–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #BCBC83 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #DEDEBD 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Other #EBEEED Tie 1px #AAAAAA solid #808080 No data 1px #AAAAAA solid Source: thumb|upright=1.4|Initiative 502 results by county, with number of votes shown by size, yes in orange and no in blue. Washington Initiative 502 (I-502) "on marijuana reform" was an initiative to the Washington State Legislature, which appeared on the November 2012 general ballot, passing by a margin of approximately 56 to 44 percent. It was submitted to the Washington Secretary of State during the summer of 2011, Reed Sam Washington State Secretary of State Proposed Initiative to the Legislature – 2011 2011 http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/Initiatives.aspx?y=2011&t=l August 27, 2011 enough signatures were collected and submitted by December to meet the required 241,153 signatures, sending it to the legislature. Zylstra Brian Marijuana measure petitions roll in December 29, 2011 http://blogs.sos.wa.gov/FromOurCorner/index.php/2011/12/marijuana-measure-petitions-roll-in/ December 29, 2011 When the legislature adjourned without action in April, Initiative 502 automatically advanced to the November 2012 general ballot. Kaminsky Jonathan Initiative to legalize marijuana will go to voters SeattlePI February 9, 2012 http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Initiative-to-legalize-marijuana-will-go-to-voters-3198647.php February 21, 2012 It was approved by popular vote on November 6, and took effect over the course of a year, beginning with certification no later than December 6, 2012.Martin Jonathan Voters agree to legalize pot Seattle Times November 6, 2012 http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2012/11/06/marijuana-legalization-takes-commanding-lead/ November 6, 2012 November 9, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121109134400/http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2012/11/06/marijuana-legalization-takes-commanding-lead/ dead Along with a similar Colorado measure, Initiative 502 was credited for encouraging voter turnout of 81%, the highest in the nation. Reed Sam Gregoire & Reed certify 2012 election, including marriage & marijuana laws News Release Washington State Secretary of State December 5, 2012 http://www.sos.wa.gov/office/osos_news.aspx?i=H6P9WeC8mCTWdBX6gjyyMw%3D%3D December 7, 2012 Initiative 502 defined and legalized small amounts of marijuana-related products for adults 21 and over, taxes them and designates the revenue for healthcare and substance-abuse prevention and education. As noted at RCW 69.50.101, cannabis is still classified as a schedule I controlled substance under federal law and subject to federal prosecution under the doctrine of dual sovereignty. Possession by anyone younger than 21, possession of larger amounts, and the growing of unlicensed or unregulated marijuana remains illegal under state law.April 2015 Ballot measure summary As it is described by the Secretary of State's office, the measure shall "license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over twenty-one; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues." This measure removes state-law prohibitions against producing, processing, and selling marijuana, subject to licensing and regulation by the liquor control board; allow limited possession of marijuana by persons aged twenty-one and over; and impose 25% excise taxes on wholesale and retail sales of marijuana, earmarking revenue for purposes that include substance-abuse prevention, research, education, and healthcare. Laws prohibiting driving under the influence would be amended to include maximum thresholds for THC blood concentration. McKenna Rob Re: Initiative No. 502 Attorney General of Washington July 15, 2011 http://newapproachwa.org/sites/newapproachwa.org/files/I-502%20%28marijuana%29%20BT%20and%20Summary.pdf August 27, 2011 Provisions After approval, Initiative 502 implements over a period of a year or more. Legal possession and DUI limits went into effect on December 9, 2012, and the state had until December 1, 2013, to establish other key rules.Fact Sheet: Initiative 502's impact on the Washington State Liquor Control Board Washington State Liquor Control Board 2012 http://www.liq.wa.gov/publications/Marijuana/I-502/Fact-Sheet-I502-11-7-12.pdf November 9, 2012 Until rules were established and licenses issued, retail sales to the general public were not allowed. Such businesses must be located 1,000 feet or further from public schools, and public use of marijuana became a civil infraction.I-502 – Washington's New Marijuana Regulation Law Frequently Asked Questions ACLU of Washington November 7, 2012 http://www.aclu-wa.org/sites/default/files/attachments/Marijuana%20I-502%20FAQs%20-%20110712.pdf November 9, 2012 The initiative legalized use of marijuana products for adults 21 and over and focus law enforcement resources on DUI prosecution as well as violent and property crimes. Personal "grows" in one's own home, except for medical cannabis as regulated under RCW 69.51A, will remain a Class C felony. Part I identifies the goal of the initiative and authorizes the Washington State Liquor Control Board (now named the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board) "to regulate and tax marijuana for persons twenty-one years of age and older, and add a new threshold for driving under the influence of marijuana." Part II establishes various definitions, including one which distinguishes "marijuana" from hemp and other parts of the cannabis plant based on its THC content. Part III establishes a license system for marijuana producers, processors, and retailers. Initial licenses shall be $250 with an annual renewal fee of $1000. Rules prohibit producers and processors from having any financial interest in retailers, much like the three-tier system for hard liquor in control states. This section also makes it clear that selling or distributing unlicensed marijuana remains illegal, setting limits on the maximum amount one may possess. Adults 21 years or older may possess up to "one ounce of useable marijuana", 16 ounces of marijuana-infused product in solid form, 72 ounces of marijuana-infused product in liquid form or "any combination" of all three. The part also authorizes Liquor Enforcement Officers of the Washington State Liquor Control Board to enforce RCW 69.50, the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Previous to this Liquor Enforcement Officers could only enforce alcohol and tobacco laws. thumb|right|750px|Washington Initiative 502 Section 28 earmarks revenue generated by the law at specific cost amounts for administration of the program. While any and all remaining funds generated over initial costs is to be divided over general public health, drug-abuse treatment, drug-abuse prevention, marijuana research and local research facilities, specifically University of Washington & Washington State University. Part IV establishes a "dedicated marijuana fund" for all revenue received by the liquor control board, and explicitly earmarks any surplus from this new revenue for health care (55%), drug abuse treatment and education (25%), with 1% for marijuana-related research at University of Washington and Washington State University, most of the remainder going to the state general fund. A March 2012 analysis by the state Office of Financial Management estimated annual revenues above $560 million for the first full year, rising thereafter. Martin Jonathan State: Potential I-502 pot revenue double what supporters predict The Seattle Times March 21, 2012 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017810760_marijuana22m.html March 24, 2012 February 2011 analysis of the similar Washington House Bill 1550 estimated annual state and county law-enforcement savings of approximately $22 million. Jon Walker Official Washington State Analysis: Marijuana Legalization Would Add Hundreds of Millions to State Coffers Fire Dog Lake February 23, 2011 http://justsaynow.firedoglake.com/2011/02/23/official-washington-state-analysis-marijuana-legalization-would-add-hundreds-of-millions-to-state-coffers/ August 27, 2011 Holden Dominic Legalize It: A Smart New Initiative Makes Washington State Ground Zero in the National Fight to End Marijuana Prohibition Seattle, Washington The Stranger June 21, 2011 http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/legalize-it/Content?oid=8743947 August 27, 2011 OFM's final, official analysis did not include law-enforcement savings, but estimated five-year revenues at approximately $1.9 billion from an assumed retail price of $12 per gram.Johnson Gene Wash.: Legal pot could bring in $2B over 5 years Seattle Post-Intelligencer August 10, 2012 http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Wash-Legal-pot-could-bring-in-2B-over-5-years-3779644.php August 10, 2012 Holden Dominic WA Pot Initiative Could Generate $1.9 Billion in Revenue Over Five Years The Stranger August 10, 2012 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/08/10/i-502-could-generate-19-billion-in-state-revenue-over-five-years August 10, 2012 August 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120813004352/http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/08/10/i-502-could-generate-19-billion-in-state-revenue-over-five-years dead OFM Fiscal Impact Statement (I-502) Washington State Office of Financial Management August 10, 2012 http://www.ofm.wa.gov/initiatives/2012/502_fiscal_impact.pdf August 10, 2012 November 11, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121111220103/http://www.ofm.wa.gov/initiatives/2012/502_fiscal_impact.pdf dead Proponents of I-502 have posted a pie chart showing annual dollar-per-purpose earmarks, based on these projections.What could $582,000,000 every year do? New Approach Washington September 2012 http://www.newapproachwa.org/content/what-could-560000000-every-year-do September 26, 2012 Part V on "driving under the influence of marijuana" sets a per se DUI limit of "delta-9" THC levels at greater than or equal to 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood (5 ng/mL). Some medical cannabis advocates are concerned that this will lead to DUI convictions for medicinal cannabis users, who are driving with blood THC levels greater than or equal to 5 nanograms per milliliter.Martin Jonathon DUI Controversy http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016692172_marijuana05m.html Pro-pot campaign gets big names, deep pockets Seattle Times November 11, 2011 "The metabolite THC-COOH, also known as carboxy-THC" is explicitly excluded from consideration. Sponsors Registered sponsors for the measure included John McKay, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington; Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes; Kim Marie Thorburn, M.D. and M.P.H., former director of the Spokane Regional Health District; and travel writer Rick Steves. Other sponsors included state representative for the 36th district Mary Lou Dickerson; immediate past president of the Washington State Bar Association Salvador A. Mungia; past president of the Washington State Bar Association Mark Johnson; Robert W. Wood, M.D., former director of the HIV/AIDS Program at the Seattle-King County public health department; University of Washington School of Social Work professor emeritus Roger Roffman, D.S.W., and Alison Holcomb, campaign director for New Approach Washington, "on loan from" the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington. New Approach Washington Files Initiative to Legalize, Tax, and Regulate Marijuana Sponsors Include Civic, Public Health, Legal Community Leaders New Approach Washington June 22, 2011 http://www.newapproachwa.org/sites/newapproachwa.ngphost.com/files/New_Approach_Press_Release_-_062111_FINAL.pdf August 27, 2011 Sponsors New Approach Washington http://newapproachwa.org/content/sponsors August 27, 2011 Support and opposition As per RCW 42.17A on "campaign disclosure and contribution", the Washington state Public Disclosure Commission posts campaign information online, including information for referendums and initiatives.Continuing Political Committees Public Disclosure Commission 2012 http://www.pdc.wa.gov/MvcViewReports/Committee/initiative_committees August 22, 2012 September 7, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130907101724/http://www.pdc.wa.gov/MvcViewReports/Committee/initiative_committees dead Statements for and against each ballot measure are also available online as part of the official online voter's guide.Online Voter's Guide Washington State Secretary of State 2012 https://wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/en/press_and_research/PreviousElections/2012/General-Election/Pages/Online-Voters-Guide.aspx September 10, 2012 March 29, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130329073820/https://wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/en/press_and_research/PreviousElections/2012/General-Election/Pages/Online-Voters-Guide.aspx dead Many groups which might traditionally be expected to take a stance on the issue have been silent, including business, education, law-enforcement, and drug treatment organizations.Martin Jonathan Little organized opposition to marijuana-legalization initiative The Seattle Times October 5, 2012 http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019346110_i502opposition05m.html October 5, 2012 Support Early supporters of the measure included Dominic Holden of The Stranger. In September, the Washington State Democratic Central Committee endorsed I-502 by a vote of 75 in favor and 43 opposed.http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2011/09/18/state-dems-legalize-marijuana/ State Dems: Legalize marijuana Connelly Joel September 17, 2011 seattlepi.com Eastern Washington's The Spokesman-Review endorsed I-502 from December 2011 as part of a broader call for legalization and federal reclassification of cannabis under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act.http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/28/editorial-i-502-offers-smart-path-to-marijuana/ I-502 offers smart path to marijuana legalization Spokesman-Review Editorial Board December 28, 2011 Spokesman.com Other supporters include a variety of current legislators, organizations, former judges, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors and elected officials such as Jolene Unsoeld. Endorsements New Approach Washington http://www.newapproachwa.org/content/endorsements-0 March 10, 2012Sixteen state lawmakers endorse initiative to legalize marijuana Bainbridge Island Review May 2, 2012 http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/149857055.html May 2, 2012 The mayor and entire city council of Seattle support I-502,Ellison Jake State of the City, Seattle mayor: Legalize marijuana so we can stop crime KPLU-FM February 21, 2012 http://www.kplu.org/post/seattle-mayor-legalize-marijuana-so-we-can-stop-crime July 22, 2012 May 12, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120512014709/http://kplu.org/post/seattle-mayor-legalize-marijuana-so-we-can-stop-crime dead as does the King County sheriff.Martin Jonathan $1 million more for marijuana legalization campaign — and support from King County sheriff Politics Northwest blog The Seattle Times October 1, 2012 http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2012/10/01/1-million-more-and-support-from-king-county-sheriff-for-pot-legalization-campaign/ October 2, 2012 Former narcotics deputy and candidate for King County sheriff John Urquhart, saying "the war on drugs has been an abject failure".Young Bob Longtime sergeant Urquhart joins race for King County sheriff The Seattle Times April 24, 2012 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018061982_sheriffrace25m.html April 25, 2012 Noting the disproportionate impact of marijuana arrests and incarceration on families and racial minorities, the Children's Alliance,Vote YES on Initiative 502: A New Approach to Marijuana Children's Alliance of Washington September 10, 2012 http://www.childrensalliance.org/resource-center/vote-yes-initiative-502-new-approach-marijuana October 5, 2012 October 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121021063514/http://www.childrensalliance.org/resource-center/vote-yes-initiative-502-new-approach-marijuana dead NAACP and various African-American pastors have also endorsed I-502.Shapiro Nina Black Pastors Endorse I-502 Despite Controversy in African American Community Seattle Weekly June 14, 2012 http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/06/black_pastors_endorse_i-502_fr.php June 18, 2012 June 17, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120617035519/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/06/black_pastors_endorse_i-502_fr.php dead Northwest NAACP Calls on Faith Leaders to Support Cannabis Tax Act The Skanner August 10, 2012 http://www.theskanner.com/article/Northwest-NAACP-Calls-on-Faith-Leaders-to-Support-Cannabis-Tax-Act-2012-08-10 August 24, 2012 NAACP Endorses WA's Marijuana Initiative Snohomish Times August 27, 2012 http://www.snohomishtimes.com/snohomishNEWS.cfm?inc=story&newsID=2503 August 31, 2012 October 28, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121028105755/http://www.snohomishtimes.com/snohomishNEWS.cfm?inc=story&newsID=2503 dead Early national support for the measure comes from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) St. Pierre Allen Endorsed: NORML Supports Marijuana Legalization Initiative in Washington State blog.norml.org NORML Board of Directors February 17, 2012 http://blog.norml.org/2012/02/17/endorsed-norml-supports-marijuana-legalization-initiative-in-washington-state/ March 9, 2012 and television evangelist Pat Robertson.McKinley Jesse Pat Robertson Says Marijuana Use Should be Legal The New York Times A14 March 8, 2012 https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/08/us/pat-robertson-backs-legalizing-marijuana.html?_r=2 March 9, 2012 Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) has also endorsed the measure, including prominent LEAP spokesman and former Seattle police chief Norm StamperVestal Shawn Hard to rationalize pot prohibition The Spokesman Review March 24, 2012 http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/mar/24/hard-to-rationalize-pot-prohibition/ March 24, 2012 and other law enforcement officials.Cops and Judges Endorse Washington's Marijuana Legalization Initiative Law Enforcement Against Prohibition March 21, 2012 https://copssaylegalize.blogspot.com/2012/03/cops-and-judges-endorse-washingtons.html March 24, 2012 The initiative has also been endorsed by former governor of New Mexico, Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson,Martin Jonathan Libertarian Presidential Candidate Endorses Washington Marijuana Legalization The Seattle Times March 19, 2012 http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/gary-johnson-in-the-seattle-times May 4, 2012 April 14, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120414192003/http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/gary-johnson-in-the-seattle-times dead and cannabis-reform advocate Marc Emery.Shapiro Nina Prince of Pot Marc Emery Endorses I-502, Says Initiative's Critics Are 'Jealous' Seattle Weekly May 1, 2012 http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/05/marc_emery_endorses_i-502_prin.php June 18, 2012 June 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120621220221/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/05/marc_emery_endorses_i-502_prin.php dead Elliott Steve Emery Endorses I-502; Calls Opposition Foolish and Dangerous Toke of the Town April 30, 2012 http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2012/04/emery_endorses_i-502_calls_opposition_foolish_and.php June 18, 2012 The primary group supporting I-502 is New Approach Washington, which maintains an updated list of official endorsements on its website.Endorsements New Approach Washington 2012 http://www.newapproachwa.org/content/502-endorsements September 8, 2012 In July 2012, major donations of financial support were given by the Drug Policy Alliance, Peter Lewis of Progressive Insurance and the American Civil Liberties Union.Martin Jonathan Marijuana initiative gets $1.25 million in new donations http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2018749612_marijuana23m.html The Seattle Times July 23, 2012 July 22, 2012 Although the Drug Policy Alliance opposed the measure's ban on home grow and drug testing requirement, the non-profit nonetheless financially backed the effort. Ethan Nadelmann, founder and Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance at the time, said in a 2015 speech:"It was a chance to pop a hole in prohibition nationally. And the situation presented itself: if I put up about a third of the money or so for Washington state, not withstanding my reservations, that would leverage Peter Lewis and the in-state donors and enable a campaign of five or six million dollars to win that thing. And what I said is 'Yes.' I'm going to put that money in there because...we could pop a hole in prohibition because that was going to resonate across the country, lay the ground work for California and other states and have an even international impact."Ethan Nadelmann ICBC San Francisco 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVfj2zs8kZY en 2022-07-07. 25:30 - 25:55.Newspapers endorsing I-502 in the weeks immediately prior to the election include The Seattle Times,Editorial Board Editorial: Approve Initiative 502 — It's time to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana Seattle Times September 22, 2012 http://seattletimes.com/html/editorials/2019226555_editmarijuanainitiative502xml.html September 24, 2012 The Spokesman-Review,Editorial Board Editorial: Regulation, taxation of marijuana worth a try The Spokesman-Review October 2, 2012 http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/oct/02/editorial-regulation-taxation-of-marijuana-worth/ October 2, 2012 The Columbian,Editorial Board In Our View: Legalizing & Taxing Marijuana Endorsed The Columbian September 30, 2012 http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/sep/30/legalize-tax-marijuana-endorsement/ September 30, 2012 The Olympian,Editorial Board Initiative is a step toward making sense of marijuana laws The Olympian September 23, 2012 http://www.theolympian.com/2012/09/23/2260887/initiative-is-a-step-toward-making.html September 24, 2012 and The Wenatchee World.Wenatchee World Editorial Board Prohibition still fails; yes on I-502 The Wenatchee World October 20, 2012 http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/oct/20/prohibition-still-fails-yes-on-i-502/ October 22, 2012 Opposition Public and formal opposition was not well organized and mostly came from advocates of medical cannabis, who objected to "Part V: Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana".Holden Dominic Pot Activists vs. Pot Activists The Stranger March 6, 2012 http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/pot-activists-vs-pot-activists/Content?oid=12927887 August 20, 2012Shapiro Nina Marijuana Legalization Initiative 502 Coasts to Decisive Victory Seattle Weekly December 6, 2012 http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/11/marijuana_legalization_initati.php November 6, 2012 November 9, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121109180333/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/11/marijuana_legalization_initati.php dead A key spokesperson was Steve Sarich, whom an Esquire blog has called one of the "great marijuana prohibitionists of 2012."Richardson John A. Introducing the Great Marijuana Prohibitionists of 2012 The Politics Blog Esquire November 2, 2012 http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/marijuana-legalization-2012-election-14328581 November 3, 2012 A Facebook group, Patients Against New Approach Washington (PANAW) began vocal opposition.http://www.facebook.com/PatientsAgainstNAW/ Patients Against New Approach Washington, Facebook Page Facebook A letter was sent to I-502 sponsors by Richard Bayer, MD; lawyers David Arganian and Jeffrey Steinborn; Gil Mobley, MD; Vivian McPeak, Executive Director of Seattle Hempfest; and Ric Smith, who has been a prominent patient advocate since 1996, arguing that I-502's DUIC language was unnecessary, unscientific, and unfair.Bayer, Richard MD.; Arganian, David; Steinborn Esq., Jeffrey; Mobley MD, Gil; Letter to I-502 Sponsors. September 23, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2011 at: http://www.nooni502.org/sponsors https://archive.today/20120315060121/http://www.nooni502.org/sponsors usurped March 15, 2012 Letter to I-502 Sponsors Dominic Holden, of The Stranger, disagreed with this criticism, citing the same 2009 study from the National Institutes of Health opponents to 502 had referenced.Holden Dominic Sorry, Medical Marijuana Activists, Your Study Doesn't Prove that I-502 Will Nab Sober Drivers for DUIs The Stranger February 24, 2012 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/02/24/sorry-medical-marijuana-activists-your-study-doesnt-prove-that-i-502-will-nab-sober-drivers-for-duis March 9, 2012 The board of directors for NORML acknowledged this criticism St. Pierre Allen NORML's Official Reply To Patients Against I-502 NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform Executive Director, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws February 24, 2012 http://blog.norml.org/2012/02/24/normls-official-reply-to-patients-against-i-502/ March 18, 2012 but opined that the law is a step in the right direction, even with the provision. At least one NORML blogger labelled them "patients against pragmatism". Belville "Radical" Russ "Radical" Russ debunks the idea that second-hand pot smoke could cause a DUID The Stash (blog) NORML February 28, 2012 http://stash.norml.org/radical-russ-debunks-the-idea-that-second-hand-pot-smoke-could-cause-a-duid February 28, 2012 March 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120303010137/http://stash.norml.org/radical-russ-debunks-the-idea-that-second-hand-pot-smoke-could-cause-a-duid dead Some suppliers of medical marijuana are also worried that if the initiative becomes law their thriving businesses could be disrupted.Holden Dominic High-pocrisy: The Campaign to Kill a Pot Legalization Initiative Is Led by the Biggest Pot Smokers of All The Stranger October 25, 2011 http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/high-pocrisy/Content?oid=10480419 March 25, 2012 Bauman Valerie Medical dispensaries fighting pot legalization Puget Sound Business Journal February 12, 2012 http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/print-edition/2012/02/17/medical-dispensaries-fighting-pot.html February 22, 2012 Holden Dominic Anti-Pot Campaign to Be Funded by Doctors, Lawyers, and Maybe Medical Pot Dispensaries The Stranger February 13, 2012 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/02/23/anti-pot-campaign-to-be-funded-by-doctors-lawyers-and-maybe-medical-pot-dispensaries March 9, 2012 Holden Dominic Smokeless in Seattle The New York Times A31 April 13, 2012 https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/13/opinion/smokeless-in-seattle.html April 13, 2012Bellingham Herald Editorial Board I-502 has flushed out the medical cannabis industry Bellingham Herald September 9, 2012 http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/09/09/2682424/i-502-has-flushed-out-the-medical.html https://archive.today/20130118131236/http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/09/09/2682424/i-502-has-flushed-out-the-medical.html dead January 18, 2013 September 9, 2012 Other opponents included the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. Martin Jonathan Pot measure is tough sell at cop conference Seattle Times November 16, 2011 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016784405_mckay17m.html December 29, 2011 and the Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention.Rhodes Jeff I-502 gains expected opposition, surprising ally The Olympia Report Freedom Foundation September 11, 2012 http://theolympiareport.com/i-502-gains-expected-opposition-surprising-ally-this-week/ October 5, 2012 Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza said Asian and motorcycle gangs currently control "marijuana distribution and sales" and that the initiative would likely lead to more traffic fatalities and organized crime. Schaub Kevin Law enforcement opposes initiative 502 KNDO-TV 23 February 9, 2012 http://www.kndo.com/story/16899558/law-enforcement-opposes-initiative-502 February 21, 2012 Then-governor Christine Gregoire opposed I-502, citing concerns about federal opposition.Cerna Enrique Ask the Governor KCTS-TV February 21, 2012 http://kcts9.org/ask-the-governor July 24, 2012 May 28, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120528220033/http://kcts9.org/ask-the-governor dead Williams June City Ban on Pot Gardens Upheld in Washington State WCI April 7, 2014 http://www.wci360.com/news/article/city-ban-on-pot-gardens-upheld-in-washington-state July 5, 2016 August 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes Both major candidates for governor in the 2012 election also went on record in opposition, with Jay Inslee following Rob McKenna, both citing concerns for users of medical cannabis.Connely Joel Inslee: No to marijuana legalization initiative Strange Bedfellows Blog Seattle Post Intelligencer March 23, 2012 http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2012/03/23/inslee-no-to-marijuana-legalization-initiative/ March 29, 2012 Safe Access Washington, "a trade organization on behalf of medical cannabis", briefly formed and opposed I-502 before disbanding.Johnson Gene Spokesman for pot group fired at own news conference Seattle Times August 14, 2012 http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2018917744_marijuana15.html September 3, 2012Driscoll Matt UPDATED: Safe Access Alliance Dissolves, a Day After MMJ Group's Disastrous Press Conference The Daily Weekly Seattle Weekly August 16, 2012 http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/08/safe_access_alliance_officiall.php September 3, 2012 August 19, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120819062702/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/08/safe_access_alliance_officiall.php dead The group Sensible Washington, sponsor of an earlier, abortive attempt at legalization in Washington, has also criticized I-502 in a seven-part series on their web page.Deconstructing I-502, Part 7: Hemp Halfway Home https://sensiblewashington.org/blog/sensiblewa/deconstructing-i-502-part-7-hemp-halfway-home/ https://archive.today/20121228103054/https://sensiblewashington.org/blog/sensiblewa/deconstructing-i-502-part-7-hemp-halfway-home/ dead December 28, 2012 March 23, 2012 April 15, 2012 On July 31, 2012, Sensible Washington announced its intent to "actually repeal prohibition" with a new Initiative drive in 2013, regardless of I-502's election outcome, noting in its press release that cannabis will remain a Schedule I drug under I-502, "which we're not comfortable with and will work towards correcting."http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/07/sensible_washington_gets_an_ea.php Sensible Washington Gets Early Start on 2013 Initiative Effort to End Pot Prohibition Seattle Weekly The Daily Weekly July 31, 2012 July 31, 2012 Driscoll Matt August 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120803021730/http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2012/07/sensible_washington_gets_an_ea.php dead Opposition from Sensible Washington and others was strong enough that Seattle Hempfest chose neither to support nor endorse the measure,Heffter Emily Even at Hempfest, no consensus on legalizing pot in Washington Seattle Times August 16, 2012 http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2018934363_hempfest17m.html August 19, 2012 a decision which one proponent called "dead wrong" and "ridiculous",Holden Dominic Hempfest Is Happening Right Now—but They're Not Trying to Legalize Pot The Slog The Stranger August 17, 2012 http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/08/17/hempfest-is-happening-right-nowbut-theyre-not-trying-to-legalize-pot August 19, 2012 and which prompted an official Seattle Times injunction to "get real".Seattle Times Editorial Board Get real about initiative to legalize marijuana Seattle Times Editorial Seattle Times August 20, 2012 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2018941436_editmarijuanalegalizationxml.html August 20, 2012 No on I-502 was the primary group opposing Initiative 502. Their website denounced what they described as I-502's "new approach to prohibition", and describes how the DUID provisions of I-502 may actually increase the potential penalty for marijuana use, and lead to a new era in the war on drugs under color of DUID prosecutions, as part of what they describe as a nationwide strategy to move war on drugs from the current focus on sales and possession to a new and more ominous offensive on drivers via new per se DUID laws like I-502. The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin was the first newspaper to oppose I-502.Editorial Board Don't make marijuana legal in state Walla Walla Union-Bulletin September 11, 2012 http://union-bulletin.com/news/2012/sep/10/dont-make-marijuana-legal-state/ September 15, 2012 September 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120913003333/http://union-bulletin.com/news/2012/sep/10/dont-make-marijuana-legal-state/ dead It was joined by the Tri-City Herald.Editorial Board Reject marijuana initiative Tri-City Herald October 22, 2012 http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/10/22/2141860/reject-marijuana-initiative.html https://archive.today/20130204154033/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/10/22/2141860/reject-marijuana-initiative.html dead February 4, 2013 October 22, 2012 Results Final election returns showed I-502 passing with 55.7% of 3,095,444 votes. http://vote.wa.gov/results/20121106/Initiative-Measure-No-502-Concerns-marijuana.html November 6, 2012 General Election Results. The state of Washington September 3, 2013 Immediately following this, The Oregonian called for the Oregon legislature to follow suit with a similar bill,Oregonian Editorial Board Oregon lawmakers should take up marijuana legalization The Oregonian November 7, 2012 http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/11/oregon_lawmakers_should_take_u.html November 8, 2012 and the incoming Mexican administration announced that it would reconsider its previous opposition to legalization.CBS News Mexico's new gov to review pot fight after US vote CBS News November 8, 2012 http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57546871/mexicos-new-gov-to-review-pot-fight-after-us-vote/ https://web.archive.org/web/20121113044703/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57546871/mexicos-new-gov-to-review-pot-fight-after-us-vote dead November 13, 2012 November 8, 2012 State agencies charged with regulating new marijuana businesses received over 300 inquiries the next day.Boone Rolf Inquiries about pot production, sale flood two state agencies The Olympian November 9, 2012 http://www.theolympian.com/2012/11/08/2312929/inquiries-about-pot-production.html November 9, 2012 Law enforcement began to respond, with the Seattle Police Department publishing a guide to legal marijuana use in SeattleSpangenthal-Lee Jonah Marijwhatnow? A Guide to Legal Marijuana Use In Seattle SPD Blotter Seattle Police Department November 9, 2012 http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2012/11/09/marijwhatnow-a-guide-to-legal-marijuana-use-in-seattle/ November 9, 2012 as prosecutors in King and Pierce county quickly decided to drop all misdemeanor cases of marijuana possession, with other non-federal jurisdictions also de-emphasizing arrests for less than 40 grams.Martin Jonathan 220 marijuana cases dismissed in King, Pierce counties Seattle Times November 9, 2012 http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2012/11/09/175-marijuana-prosecutions-in-king-county-dismissed-because-of-initiative-502/ November 9, 2012NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA — Pot enforcement put on hold for small amounts — except on federal lands Peninsula Daily News November 10, 2012 http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20121111/NEWS/311119983/north-olympic-peninsula-8212-pot-enforcement-put-on-hold-for-small November 11, 2012McVicker Laura Some local misdemeanor marijuana cases to be dismissed: Passage of state's legalization law prompts plan by county prosecutor The Columbian, p. A1 November 13, 2012 http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/nov/12/misdemeanor-marijuana-cases-to-be-dismissed/ November 13, 2012Clouse Thomas Spokane County won't take legal action on pot cases The Spokesman-Review November 15, 2012 http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/nov/15/spokane-county-wont-take-legal-action-on-pot-cases/ November 15, 2012Spears Michael Yakima prosecutors to throw out pending marijuana cases KIMA-TV November 15, 2012 http://www.kimatv.com/home/video/Yakima-readies-to-dismiss-pending-marijuana-cases-179589371.html November 15, 2012 November 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121120011222/http://www.kimatv.com/home/video/Yakima-readies-to-dismiss-pending-marijuana-cases-179589371.html dead Stephenson Megan County drops 60 pot cases North Kitsap Herald November 29, 2012 http://www.northkitsapherald.com/news/181454501.html November 30, 2012 Governor Christine Gregoire explicitly met with United States Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole to discuss details of implementation after passage of the measure,Ramsey Bruce Gregoire asks Justice Department about marijuana Ed cetera blog Seattle Times November 14, 2012 http://seattletimes.com/html/edcetera/2019678686_gregoire_asks_justice_departme.html November 15, 2012 and governor-elect Jay Inslee has committed himself to being "fully supportive of protecting, defending, and implementing the will of the voter."Feit Josh Inslee on pot Seattle Met November 14, 2012 http://www.seattlemet.com/news-and-profiles/publicola/this-washington/articles/inslee-on-pot November 15, 2012 Passage of 502 drew attention from outside the state, eliciting various commentary. The president of the International Narcotics Control Board spoke out against Initiative 502 as a clear violation of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, urging US officials to strongly oppose legalization of non-medical marijuana.Newman Raechelle INCB President voices concern about the outcome of recent referenda about non-medical use of cannabis in the United States in a number of states Press release International Narcotics Control Board November 15, 2012 http://www.incb.org/documents/Press_Releases/press_release_151112.pdf November 21, 2012 December 2, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121202050358/http://www.incb.org/documents/Press_Releases/press_release_151112.pdf dead Former US president Jimmy Carter referred to 502 and Colorado Amendment 64 in restating his decades-long support for decriminalization and legalization, to "let the American people see" how well it works.Cirilli Kevin Former president Jimmy Carter OK with legalizing marijuana Politico December 11, 2012 https://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/marijuana-legalization-president-jimmy-carter-ok-with-legalizing-marijuana-84921.html December 12, 2012 In his first interview on the subject after passage, President Barack Obama said that addressing this issue was not a high priority at this point, that international treaty obligations came into play, but that there were "bigger fish to fry."Dwyer Devin Marijuana Not High Obama Priority Barbara Walters interview 20/20 (U.S. TV series) December 14, 2012 https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/president-obama-marijuana-users-high-priority-drug-war/story?id=17946783#.UMtENY7evfg December 14, 2012 In August 2013, the US Department of Justice elected not to sue Washington and Colorado over legalized marijuana and not to prosecute legal marijuana in those states.Southall Ashley Jack Healy U.S. Won't Sue to Reverse States' Legalization of Marijuana The New York Times August 29, 2013 https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/politics/us-says-it-wont-sue-to-undo-state-marijuana-laws.html?_r=0&pagewanted=all August 29, 2013Knickerbocker Brad Obama administration backs off on state marijuana laws The Christian Science Monitor August 29, 2012 https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2013/0829/Obama-administration-backs-off-on-state-marijuana-laws August 29, 2013 Washington Initiative 502 (Approved) Final count certified December 5, 20122011 General Data https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-05/2011-general-data.zip sos.wa.gov live https://web.archive.org/web/20250625074651/https://www.sos.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-05/2011-general-data.zip June 25, 2025 1724209 1371235 By county +County resultsCountyhttps://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20121106/initiative-measure-no-502-concerns-marijuana_bycounty.html https://web.archive.org/web/20250303185347/https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20121106/initiative-measure-no-502-concerns-marijuana_bycounty.html March 3, 2025 live Initiative Measure No. 502 Concerns marijuana - County Results Reed Sam Sam Reed November 6, 2012 Secretary of State of Washington November 16, 2025YesNoMarginTotal votes#%#%#%Adams1,86039.38%2,86360.62%-1,003-21.24%4,723Asotin4,82949.00%5,02751.00%-198-2.01%9,856Benton34,53043.59%44,68656.41%-10,156-12.82%79,216Chelan16,61651.85%15,42848.15%1,1883.71%32,044Clallam20,81254.93%17,07945.07%3,7339.85%37,891Clark93,37649.68%94,58650.32%-1,210-0.64%187,962Columbia1,03245.68%1,22754.32%-195-8.63%2,259Cowlitz20,59346.35%23,84153.65%-3,248-7.31%44,434Douglas7,30148.87%7,64051.13%-339-2.27%14,941Ferry1,75551.05%1,68348.95%722.09%3,438Franklin8,80138.94%13,80361.06%-5,002-22.13%22,604Garfield48037.83%78962.17%-309-24.35%1,269Grant12,24444.59%15,21655.41%-2,972-10.82%27,460Grays Harbor15,51053.97%13,22946.03%2,2817.94%28,739Island23,20555.58%18,54344.42%4,66211.17%41,748Jefferson12,77465.23%6,80834.77%5,96630.47%19,582King603,89263.49%347,23236.51%256,66026.98%951,124Kitsap68,81955.98%54,10944.02%14,71011.97%122,928Kittitas8,74848.42%9,31851.58%-570-3.16%18,066Klickitat5,04949.64%5,12350.36%-74-0.73%10,172Lewis15,21344.62%18,88555.38%-3,672-10.77%34,098Lincoln2,42841.86%3,37258.14%-944-16.28%5,800Mason15,60655.32%12,60244.68%3,00410.65%28,208Okanogan8,59951.40%8,13148.60%4682.80%16,730Pacific5,69154.20%4,80945.80%8828.40%10,500Pend Oreille3,30249.35%3,38950.65%-87-1.30%6,691Pierce184,33354.04%156,74645.96%27,5878.09%341,079San Juan7,16668.29%3,32831.71%3,83836.57%10,494Skagit30,03154.60%24,97045.40%5,0619.20%55,001Skamania2,87353.26%2,52146.74%3526.53%5,394Snohomish178,66954.59%148,63445.41%30,0359.18%327,303Spokane116,19052.15%106,60147.85%9,5894.30%222,791Stevens10,38446.53%11,93253.47%-1,548-6.94%22,316Thurston70,16655.69%55,82344.31%14,34311.38%125,989Wahkiakum1,09448.54%1,16051.46%-66-2.93%2,254Walla Walla11,21344.96%13,72855.04%-2,515-10.08%24,941Whatcom57,85156.85%43,90943.15%13,94213.70%101,760Whitman8,84451.99%8,16848.01%6763.97%17,012Yakima32,33042.19%44,29757.81%-11,967-15.62%76,627Totals1,724,20955.70%1,371,23544.30%352,97411.40%3,095,444 Many gathered to smoke publicly at the Space Needle just after midnight on December 6, in violation of the law. No arrests were made.Myers Laura L. Marijuana goes legal in Washington state amid mixed messages Reuters December 7, 2012 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-marijuana-washington-idUSBRE8B506L20121207 December 7, 2012 Implementation thumb|right|A cannabis dispensary in Suquamish, Washington. section March 2014 I-502 mandated that rules for producers, processors and retailers be in place by December 1, 2013. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board had initially anticipated the first proposed section would be approved in April.Proposed Producer Rules: Marijuana Producer Rulemaking Underway Washington State Liquor Control Board December 5, 2012 http://liq.wa.gov/marijuana/proposed-producer-rules December 7, 2012 December 23, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121223080240/http://liq.wa.gov/marijuana/proposed-producer-rules dead Distribution of draft rules to all stakeholders was planned May, with initial filing of all rules in June, before public hearings and adoption of the rules, to begin taking initial applications by September, and to begin issuing licenses in December 2013.I-502 Implementation Timeline Washington State Liquor Control Board April 17, 2013 http://www.liq.wa.gov/publications/Marijuana/I-502/I-502_Official_Timeline_IV_4-16-13.pdf April 17, 2013 Some state legislators are reportedly moving to "slow down" this rule-making processMartin Jonathan House Democrats should tread carefully in tinkering with marijuana rules Seattle Times January 8, 2013 http://seattletimes.com/html/edcetera/2020087462_top_house_democrats_want_to_sl.html January 10, 2013 and national opponents Kevin Sabet and Patrick J. Kennedy have started Project SAM to promote what they call "smart approaches to marijuana."Johnson Gene Former Rep. Kennedy, marijuana opponents regroup after legalization votes in Wash., Colo. Associated Press January 9, 2013 http://www.startribune.com/nation/186202201.html?refer=y January 10, 2013 December 17, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20241217004209/https://www.startribune.com/nation/186202201.html?refer=y dead Initial draft rules were released on May 16, with the public comment period set to end on June 10, 2013.Initiative 502 Initial Draft Rules Washington State Liquor Control Board May 16, 2013 http://liq.wa.gov/marijuana/initial-draft-rules May 21, 2013Carpenter Michael Initial-Draft-Rules-05-16-13.pdf Washington State Liquor Control Board May 16, 2013 https://lcb.box.com/initial-draft-rules PDF May 21, 2013 August 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes Public hearings shall begin in August for rules to become effective in September and first licenses expected in December 2013 or the following January.Proposed Rules Highlights Washington State Liquor Control Board July 3, 2013 http://www.liq.wa.gov/publications/Marijuana/I-502/proposed_rules/i-502_Draft_Rule_Summary_3_6-28-13.pdf July 4, 2013 Consultants estimate $495 million in annual sales among 300 stores across all counties, the highest concentration being in King, Pierce and Thurston counties.Schrader Jordan State's marijuana consultants finishing up work Tacoma News Tribune July 3, 2013 http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/07/03/2665082/states-marijuana-consultants-finishing.html July 4, 2013 The first two dozen retail licenses were issued for July 2014, but delays in licensing producers are anticipated to cause supply problems during this early period.Spitzer Gabriel First Round Of Marijuana Stores Get Wash. State Licenses KPLU-FM July 7, 2014 http://www.kplu.org/post/first-round-marijuana-stores-get-wash-state-licenses https://archive.today/20140709133314/http://www.kplu.org/post/first-round-marijuana-stores-get-wash-state-licenses dead July 9, 2014 July 7, 2014 Vorenberg Sue Local pot stores opening ... soon: Vancouver retail marijuana sales expected to start this week pending state process The Columbian July 7, 2014 http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jul/07/pot-stores-opening-soon-vancouver/ July 7, 2014 Following $67.5 million in sales/excise tax revenue during the first full year of legal sales along with a change in the regulatory tax structure to a single 37% retail rate, the state's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council estimated in 2015 that annual marijuana tax revenues would rise several-fold, reaching $369 million by the 2019 fiscal year.http://247wallst.com/consumer-products/2015/10/24/washington-to-collect-1-billion-from-pot-taxes/ Washington to Collect $1 Billion From Pot Taxes Paul Ausick 24/7 Wall St. 2015-10-24 2015-10-25 On July 1, 2016, Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5052 into law, merging the previously unregulated medical cannabis market with the recreational market under the Cannabis Patient Protection Act.Cannabis Business Plans https://cannabusinessplans.com/washington-cannabis-market/ Following passage of I-502, court filings for low-level marijuana offenses for adults 21 and older dropped by 98% between 2011 and 2013. A 2018 report by the University of Washington found that all marijuana-related offences fell from 6,336 incidents in 2012 to 2,313 in 2015.Washington State Cannabis Information Portal https://washingtonstatecannabis.org/ In 2014, average monthly retail cannabis sales were $10.8 million, rising significantly in subsequent years. See also Cannabis United States Law of Washington (state) Colorado Amendment 64 Decriminalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States Legal history of cannabis in the United States Washington Initiative 692 (1998) Washington Initiative 1068 (2010) References 30em External links I-502 In Its Entirety, The entire initiative on the government of Washington website. https://web.archive.org/web/20180428125118/http://www.newapproachwa.org/ New Approach Washington 2018-04-28 primary organization lobbying for I-502 https://web.archive.org/web/20120726042946/http://www.nooni502.org:80/ No on I-502 2012-07-26 cannabis reform organization opposed to I-502 Category:2012 in Washington (state) Category:2012 cannabis law reform Initiative 502 Category:Cannabis ballot measures in the United States Category:Cannabis research Category:2012 Washington (state) ballot measures