Initiative 502 news

[eridani]

Please post relevant info. Thx

[eridani]

1. 502 debate in Snohomish County

The Snohomish County Health and Safety Network will be hosting a debate on Initiative 502 on Thursday, April 26, between I-502 sponsor John McKay, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, and Pat Slack, Commander for the Snohmish Regional Drug Task Force. Moderating this event will be Rep. Marko Liias from the 21st Legislative District. This free public event will take place at Mukilteo City Hall, 11930 Cyrus Way, Mukilteo from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. This will be an excellent chance to show your support for the campaign!

Volunteers are needed for this event, so please contact our Outreach Coordinator Charlene Angeles at Charlene {at} NewApproachWA.org or [phone].

YES! on I-502 Campaign

[eridani]

4. More I-502 Debates

Do you have family and friends who are undecided about marijuana legalization? Bring them to one of these free public events on Initiative 502! Each event is a great opportunity for voters to learn how a public health approach to marijuana will free up law enforcement resources to be focused on violent crimes and will take the profits out of the hands of organized crime. Speakers in favor of and in opposition to I-502 will be present to ensure all questions can be addressed. We hope you can make it.

A Debate on Marijuana Legalization hosted by the Snohomish County Health & Safety Network

I-502 sponsors John McKay and Roger Roffman will be debating Pat Slack, the Commander for the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force. Moderating this event will be Rep. Marko Liias of the 21st Legislative District.

Thursday, April 26, 7-8:30 PM
Mukilteo City Hall
11930 Cyrus Way, Mukilteo

Issues that Matter hosted by the Sno-Isle Libraries Series (Monroe)

I-502 sponsor Roger Roffman and Outreach Director Tonia Winchester will be joining the panel with opponents Douglas Hiatt and Dr. Steve Freng.

Tuesday, May 8, 7-8:30 PM
Galaxy 12 Theaters
One Galaxy Way, Monroe

Issues that Matter hosted by the Sno-Isle Libraries Series (Langley)

Campaign Director Alison Holcomb and Seattle University Professor Michael Spinetta will be joining the panel with opponents Douglas Hiatt and Dr. Gil Mobley.

Tuesday, May 15, 7-8:30 PM
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts
565 Camano Avenue, Langley


The YES! on I-502 Campaign

[customerserviceguy]

2. It would have been helpful if you had posted in your title that this involves marijuana legalization

I know that there is also an initiative drive out there to overturn the WA Legislature's passing of (and the Governor's signing of) a marriage equality law. I'm much more concerned about that.

[eridani]

3. When I start getting news on I 74, I'll post it

Don't think it is offically on the ballot yet.

[customerserviceguy]

5. Thanks, I hope it never makes it

I've seen reports how Catholic churches in Seattle have refused to be signature-gathering sites, if they are indicative of the mood in Washington, there will be a LOT of people who refuse to sign.

If I-74 does make it to the ballot, I have faith that the voters of WA will do the right thing, as they have the previous two times when steps toward marriage equality were in front of them. But if the signature drive fails, that would send a powerful signal across the land!

[countryjake]

7. Anyone know where they stand on signatures now for Referendum 74?

The last I heard, they only had a bit over half of the required signatures (about two weeks ago). I'm thinking that no news, in this instance, is very good news, since if they were close to even getting it on the ballot, I suspect there'd be some reports in the news about how "well" their wicked campaign is going. With June 6th less than two weeks away, I can only hope that the thundering silence of those hoping to restrict, deny and crush our state's new marriage equality law means that they couldn't hire enough people to sign that thing and it will NOT make any ballot this Fall!

(Sorry to go off-topic in your thread, eridani, but I spotted this exchange and I just had to ask.)

[eridani]

8. Not sure whether they will have the signatures yet

However, NOM has deep pockets, and it's probably time to start another thread.

[eridani]

6. Current list of WA State legislators endorsing 502 (5-3-2012)

"Initiative 502 will free up law enforcement resources needed to combat violent crime . . . A tightly-regulated system for marijuana will allow our police and prosecutors to focus on more important public safety priorities."

That's what Rep. Luis Moscoso, vice-chair of the House General Government Appropriations & Oversight Committee and member of the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said when he endorsed I-502 on Wednesday. He was joined by sixteen other Washington state legislators who also announced their support:


Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-23) Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36)

Sen. Maralyn Chase (D-23) Rep. Luis Moscoso (D-1)

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36) Rep. Sharon Nelson (D-34)

Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-44) Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D-43)

Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34) Sen. Margarita Prentice (D-11)

Rep. Roger Goodman (D-45) Rep. Chris Reykdal (D-22)

Rep. Bob Hasegawa (D-11) Rep. Mary Helen Roberts (D-21)

Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27) Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-32)

Sen. Adam Kline (D-37)

[eridani]

9. Debate Thursday9/5 in Seattle-- Does marijuana legalization make sense?

Debate this Thursday: Does marijuana legalization make sense?

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/politicsnorthwest/2012/09/04/debate-this-thursday-does-marijuana-legalization-make-sense/

For the first time since 1998 in Washington, marijuana policy is on the statewide ballot.

So it’s time to air out the debate. The League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County is hosting a panel debate on drug policy reform and marijuana legalization at 7 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 6 at Seattle’s Town Hall. Panelists include two supporters of Initiative 502, which would legalize and regulate recreational marijuana use – former U.S. Attorney in Seattle John McKay and former Spokane County public health director Dr. Kim Marie Thorburn. Commander Pat Slack of the Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force will be taking the con side. I’ll be moderating and taking audience questions.

I-502, filed by McKay last year, decriminalizes possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for adults and allows for heavily taxed and regulated sales of cannabis products in state-licensed storefront “pot shops.” It would set up state-licensed marijuana grow farms, legalize hemp production and pay for hundreds of millions of dollars of drug-abuse research. It also creates one of the nation’s strictest DUI laws regarding marijuana.

What would the federal government do if Washington voters pass it? What effect would it have on kids? Would it save money by diverting law enforcement away from marijuana possession cases? Would you bring a joint to your next dinner party if it were legal?

Send me you questions at [e-mail].

[eridani]

10. Rick Steves tour to help pass I-502

As you know, travel guru Rick Steves is a proud sponsor and supporter of I-502. Next month, he’s taking that message on the road. On October 12, Rick will begin touring the state to tell voters why they should pass I-502 and make this the year Washington legalizes marijuana for adult use. Check out the schedule below to find out when Rick will be in your city!

October 12—Olympia, Capitol Campus Lawn Fountain Picnic, 12:00—1:00pm
October 12—Vancouver, Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 7:00—8:30pm
October 13—Tri-Cities, Kennewick Branch, Mid-Columbia Library, 12:00—1:00pm
October 13—Walla Walla, TBA
October 14—Spokane, Unitarian Universalist Church, 11:00 —1:30pm
October 14—Spokane, Bing Crosby Theater, 7:00—8:30pm
October 15—Leavenworth, The Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, 7:00—8:30pm
October 16—Everett, Everett Station Weyerhaeuser Room, 12:00—1:00pm
October 16—Bellingham, Western Washington University, 7:00—8:30pm
October 17—Tacoma, Pantages Theater and Lobby, 7:00—8:30pm
October 18—Seattle, University of Washington, Kane Hall, 7:00—8:30pm

With your help, we can end marijuana prohibition on November 6. Sign up to volunteer at your local event and help make history! http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50311/p/salsa/web/questionnaire/public/?questionnaire_KEY=1245
Yours,

Jessica