NEW POLL: Majority of Washington State Voters Support Marijuana Legalization Initiati

The good news just keeps rolling in this week, as just released polling data from Public Policy Polling (PPP) shows that the majority Washington voters support their state’s legalization initiative, I-502. This data is great news for New Approach Washington‘s campaign to become the first state to relegalize the adult use of cannabis this November. From PPP: Washington is also leaning toward legalizing marijuana. 50% of voters now say they’ll support Initiative 502 to 37% who are opposed. That’s a slight increase in support for the initiative relative to our [...]

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yep the more time goes on the more the douchebags begin to die off.

To be perfectly honest, most patients and dispensaries are against I-502.

To be perfectly honest, most patients and dispensaries are against I-502.

Is there a logical reason why a patient wouldn't want it legalized? I don't see why they would be against making pot more abundant. It should lead to higher quality, and lower prices.

Is there a logical reason why a patient wouldn't want it legalized? I don't see why they would be against making pot more abundant. It should lead to higher quality, and lower prices.

There is absolutely a reason why patients and dispensaries don't want it "legalized". We want it DECRIMINALIZED.

In 1998, WA voters said "yes" on their votes for I-692, saying that the majority of the citizens of Washington state believe anybody suffering from any of the ailments listed in RCW 69.51A.010 (3), should be able to smoke cannabis.

If voters vote "yes" to I-502, they are essentially repealing I-692, by making all patients criminals again. I-502 states that if you are pulled over, and are suspected to be under the influence of marijuana (in a MMJ state, a lot of people are patients; additionally, it's not illegal to smell like marijuana, but it does give 'reasonable suspicion'), you will be asked to take a blood test. If your blood results conclude that you have more than 5ng/ml of THC in your bloodstream, you're going to be arrested for DUI and booked into the system like a criminal.

What people fail to realize is that most people could provide 5ng/ml of THC even weeks after smoking. We all know THC is fat soluble, so it's going to stick around for a while. What are patients who need cannabis all day every day going to do? They are certainly never going to be able to drive, even if they aren't high. Even their providers are at risk. At an ultra-low 5ng/ml, that's the equivalent of it being in your system, not getting you high. If their providers are around when they are smoking (as mine is), they will certainly inhale cannabis smoke - it will get in their system. Their is no scientific analysis as to why the level is set at 5ng/ml. You certainly can't measure how much THC is needed in the bloodstream to make a patient "impaired".

Additionally, it subjects you to completely invasive blood-sample procedures (urine or hair isn't good enough), and unnecessary detainment. Have fun being booked down at the local cop shop just because you smell like weed and are being subjected to a blood sample.

I don't know how I feel about a cop being able to just blood test you on demand. Something non-invasive like a breathalyzer is one thing, but there's no way in hell I'd submit to a blood test. (Not really relevant to the original post, but still).

I don't know how I feel about a cop being able to just blood test you on demand. Something non-invasive like a breathalyzer is one thing, but there's no way in hell I'd submit to a blood test. (Not really relevant to the original post, but still).

Starting aug 1st 2012 here in California cops will have these blood monitors to take blood and checks you for 13 different types of drugs .....

There is absolutely a reason why patients and dispensaries don't want it "legalized". We want it DECRIMINALIZED.

In 1998, WA voters said "yes" on their votes for I-692, saying that the majority of the citizens of Washington state believe anybody suffering from any of the ailments listed in RCW 69.51A.010 (3), should be able to smoke cannabis.

If voters vote "yes" to I-502, they are essentially repealing I-692, by making all patients criminals again. I-502 states that if you are pulled over, and are suspected to be under the influence of marijuana (in a MMJ state, a lot of people are patients; additionally, it's not illegal to smell like marijuana, but it does give 'reasonable suspicion'), you will be asked to take a blood test. If your blood results conclude that you have more than 5ng/ml of THC in your bloodstream, you're going to be arrested for DUI and booked into the system like a criminal.

What people fail to realize is that most people could provide 5ng/ml of THC even weeks after smoking. We all know THC is fat soluble, so it's going to stick around for a while. What are patients who need cannabis all day every day going to do? They are certainly never going to be able to drive, even if they aren't high. Even their providers are at risk. At an ultra-low 5ng/ml, that's the equivalent of it being in your system, not getting you high. If their providers are around when they are smoking (as mine is), they will certainly inhale cannabis smoke - it will get in their system. Their is no scientific analysis as to why the level is set at 5ng/ml. You certainly can't measure how much THC is needed in the bloodstream to make a patient "impaired".

Additionally, it subjects you to completely invasive blood-sample procedures (urine or hair isn't good enough), and unnecessary detainment. Have fun being booked down at the local cop shop just because you smell like weed and are being subjected to a blood sample.

If you aren't driving like you are stoned and don't smoke in the car, you won't be tested in the first place.

Hey I was once against this initiative also. But after doing some searching around. You will see that the DUi part isnt going to completly screw everyone over. Im a patient also just so you guys should know. Also we will be able to grow and do everything the same still. Just their will be stores for the non patients to pick up cannabis. They wont be able to grow or anything like that, and they will legally be able to carry up to one ounce I think. Im sure that wont change anything about any of the employers in washington. Because of its federal schedule. But it is a start for sure.


To the other patients that bring up the dui part, Read this link from norml.org.

NORML?s Official Reply To ?Patients Against I-502? | NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform

I don't know how I feel about a cop being able to just blood test you on demand. Something non-invasive like a breathalyzer is one thing, but there's no way in hell I'd submit to a blood test. (Not really relevant to the original post, but still).

It's your right to refuse testing - it's their right to yank your drivers license for a year or more. In my state refusal to take the test is considered admission of guilt.

It's your right to refuse testing - it's their right to yank your drivers license for a year or more. In my state refusal to take the test is considered admission of guilt.

Thank you. That's the point I'm making.

Sorry if I have to have my in-home care provider drive me to and from school, the grocery store, recreation. He loves it. He loves not having a life. And we smell like weed because I grow it, and I smoke it. Its a part of my life and his.

There's no way around not getting pulled over and not smelling like weed. It's not illegal to smell like it anyway. The whole point behind this, is if I refuse to take the test, I'm admitting guilt. I'm not a fucking criminal, so I'm not admitting guilt to anything.

You guys don't understand the whole concept of "give them an inch, they'll take a mile"

you know when someone fails a drug test the lab sends it to a more extensive test which cost around ~250 dollars to confirm it's a positive test. they drug testing companies know that nearly 98% of the samples will be negative so theres no point in sending it there. So for a 15 dollar drug test (which only cost them a few cents, yeh lab test are no different than home test unless sample is positive and sent to the gc/ms ) could end up costing the drug testing company 250 dollars. but their margins are so high it doesn't really affect them. So if everyone fails their drug test on purpose(everyone lol) drug testing labs would immediately go bankrupt

dam well i hope something happens in my state

There is absolutely a reason why patients and dispensaries don't want it "legalized". We want it DECRIMINALIZED.

In 1998, WA voters said "yes" on their votes for I-692, saying that the majority of the citizens of Washington state believe anybody suffering from any of the ailments listed in RCW 69.51A.010 (3), should be able to smoke cannabis.

If voters vote "yes" to I-502, they are essentially repealing I-692, by making all patients criminals again. I-502 states that if you are pulled over, and are suspected to be under the influence of marijuana (in a MMJ state, a lot of people are patients; additionally, it's not illegal to smell like marijuana, but it does give 'reasonable suspicion'), you will be asked to take a blood test. If your blood results conclude that you have more than 5ng/ml of THC in your bloodstream, you're going to be arrested for DUI and booked into the system like a criminal.

What people fail to realize is that most people could provide 5ng/ml of THC even weeks after smoking. We all know THC is fat soluble, so it's going to stick around for a while. What are patients who need cannabis all day every day going to do? They are certainly never going to be able to drive, even if they aren't high. Even their providers are at risk. At an ultra-low 5ng/ml, that's the equivalent of it being in your system, not getting you high. If their providers are around when they are smoking (as mine is), they will certainly inhale cannabis smoke - it will get in their system. Their is no scientific analysis as to why the level is set at 5ng/ml. You certainly can't measure how much THC is needed in the bloodstream to make a patient "impaired".

Additionally, it subjects you to completely invasive blood-sample procedures (urine or hair isn't good enough), and unnecessary detainment. Have fun being booked down at the local cop shop just because you smell like weed and are being subjected to a blood sample.

The problem I fear is that it would not really solve the problem of people craving marijuana, not qualifying for medical, re-creating cartels and all that stuff, and in the end the true crime of it is not really solved. You hear about people being arrested for dealing way more than driving high- or getting caught doing it- in the first place. Decriminalization is basically a band-aid to a wound, whereas making this substance on par with liquor or tobacco in legal terms would really curve the problem.

Pretty much having 1-502 overruled would protect medical patients and still leave the same situation for everyone else. I can truly see why this pleases medical users, as it is reasonable, but unfortunately I do not see the problem lying in weed use itself as much as the availability of it. If civilians are aloud to purchase and use it without being arrested, we will see only the crimes involving undercutting stores or selling to minors being an issue.

Also, I have a qualifying medical condition but I can't afford to get medical green due to the $500 price tag on its paperwork. It's bs and frankly I would like to go to a store and get some like I would a six pack.

I want to be able to use this benevolent substance with the proper laws, without checking my shoulder for a cop, hiding the smell, or generally acting like I'm smoking meth or something. I seriously do not see how it would be entirely worse for everyone- especially MMJ users- for it to just be legal all around, especially in a state where this could help the drug problem tremendously.

Edited by Jayjangle, 19 July 2012 - 06:27 AM.

To be perfectly honest, most patients and dispensaries are against I-502.

that's exactly why they are fucked in California. Their Prop 19 didnt pass because farmers and dispensaries voted against it thinking it would hurt their business by bringing prices down. But guess what?? that's why the feds are zeroing in on Cali right now because the majority voted NO on legalizing it. I hope WA MMj patients dont make the same mistake. go to a marijuana school in WA and learn the rules and regulations.

1) Driving stoned is illegal whether 502 passes or not. The blood test actually gives you a chance to get off if you test within the allowed amount.

2) What's wrong with a medical patient going to a cannabis shop and buying weed legally like everyone else? IT WILL BE LEGAL FOR ALL ADULTS TO BUY AND CONSUME!!!