Citizen initiative would legalize pot in Washington state

[icymist]

Washington voters may get a chance to decide whether they want to make marijuana legal for adults.

Activists have filed a ballot initiative that would authorize marijuana possession in Washington state. Sponsors include two Seattle and the director of Seattle's annual Hempfest. Backers of the measure would have to collect more than 241,000 signatures to put the question before voters in November.

Douglas Hiatt, a lawyer who represents medical marijuana patients, told The Associated Press after filing the initiative Monday the proposal would remove all state penalties for pot possession by adults. Criminal penalties for juvenile possession and for providing the drug to juveniles would remain. Marijuana would still be illegal under federal law.

Mike McGinn, Seattle's new mayor, has said he thinks marijuana should be legalized. State attorney general Rob McKenna is against the idea.

More