cannabisnews.com: Two WA State Lawmakers Offer Pot Legalization Bill



cannabisnews.com: Two WA State Lawmakers Offer Pot Legalization Bill
function share_this(num) {
 tit=encodeURIComponent('Two WA State Lawmakers Offer Pot Legalization Bill');
 url=encodeURIComponent('http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/25/thread25271.shtml');
 site = new Array(5);
 site[0]='http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[1]='http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit.php?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[2]='http://digg.com/submit?topic=political_opinion&media=video&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[3]='http://reddit.com/submit?url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 site[4]='http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url='+url+'&title='+tit;
 window.open(site[num],'sharer','toolbar=0,status=0,width=620,height=500');
 return false;
}






Two WA State Lawmakers Offer Pot Legalization Bill
Posted by CN Staff on December 18, 2009 at 07:41:43 PT
By Malcolm Maclachlan 
Source: Capitol Weekly
WA State -- A pair of legislators in the state of Washington have submitted a marijuana legalization bill much like the one introduced by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D - San Francisco, back in February.The bill was introduced by state Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, with Rep. Roger Goodman as the principal coauthor. The two Democrats represent Seattle-area districts. Four other legislators have also signed onto the bill. Goodman was scheduled to join Ammiano on a conference call with reporters Thursday morning.
While there have been numerous bills to decriminalize marijuana, advocates say these bills represent the first two times a full legalization bill has introduced in a state legislature. Ammiano’s bill, which would not only remove criminal penalties but set up a regulatory and tax structure for pot sales, was the first such bill to get a full committee hearing, according to Stephen Gullwig, California state director with the drug policy alliance.“This is virgin territory,” Gullwig said.Goodman has long advocated changes in drug policy, and became something of a hero to legalization advocates during his first election campaign in 2006. His Republican opponent, Jeffery Possinger, used attack ads and mailers in an attempt to label Goodman as soft on drugs. This included the charge that Goodman wanted to be the state’s “director of drug dealing.” But after these ads hit, Goodman’s numbers went up, and he ultimately became the first Democrat to win the suburban district since the 1960s.The Seattle House was already set to debate a decriminalization bill. But Goodman said his bill is “very different, and much more important.”“Decriminalization is a step in the right direction,” Goodman said. “We’re still punishing people, but were punishing them less. But meanwhile the illegal market thrives.”Like the Ammiano bill, the Washington bill will be introduced lacking some necessary specifics until it’s amended. For instance, Goodman said he wants to introduce a clause that would forbid marijuana being sold in any outlet that also sells alcohol. The bill is currently written to bar advertising, and tax proceeds would go to fund drug treatment, rather than being put into the general fund. Goodman said he’s also looking for ways to craft the bill to make it compatible with federal policies, though this probably won’t be possible.The Ammiano bill has been widely written about, but was also widely viewed as dead-on-arrival. Indeed, it has yet to move in the California Legislature's Health or Public Safety committees, the latter of which Ammiano chairs.Goodman said he thinks his bill may have a better chance—though it will also have to survive a trip through a public safety committee, this one chaired by a law-and-order legislator who doesn’t want to let it out. He said that polls show support for marijuana legalization in Washington is in the high 50s, similar to California.The bill is also more ambitious than the California legalization initiative sponsored by Oaksterdam University, Gullwig said. That measure was written “defensively” in order to allow it to survive an election campaign in which numerous law enforcement groups will spend big to defeat it.Gullwig also took aim at the idea that legalized pot will solve either state’s financial woes — something most serious advocates aren’t claiming in the first place.“Marijuana prohibition is such a colossal failure that it needs to be ended regardless of how much money could be made regulating it,” Gullwig said.Source: Capitol Weekly (Sacramento, CA)Author: Malcolm MaclachlanPublished: December 17, 2009Copyright: 2009 Capitol Weekly GroupContact: news capitolweekly.netWebsite: http://www.capitolweekly.netURL: http://drugsense.org/url/8HSjxNh4CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help 
     
     
     
     




Comment #16 posted by kaptinemo on December 21, 2009 at 06:41:19 PT:
RunRuff, the problem has always been thus
That the Hatch Act is meant to be applied to all, but has in fact been used by political parties in power to attack those not in power. The justice system has grown so partisan (especially in the Bush Too years) that it generally isn't used the way it should be, and the DrugWar was a perfect example of why, when it should have been used, it wasn't.Rep. Dr. Ron Paul tried to get the Government Accounting Office to look into the ONDCP's clear violations of the Hatch Act back in 2003, but the GAO, fearful of Republican reprisal, weaseled out and said that the ONDCP's charter (itself a violation of the Hatch Act!) that included the bit about it being authorized to interfere in politics to prevent drug legalization as justifying GAO's inaction in that regard. http://tinyurl.com/y9gc78tAnd when the inevitable outcome of such cowardice turned out to be the brazen stumping of ONDCP staff for Republican office-runners, as clear a violation of the Hatch Act if there ever was one, was discovered by Democratic legislators...again, nothing was done. http://tinyurl.com/yauptmtThe political will to use the Hatch Act to stop the worst aspects of DrugWarrior interference in the legislative system (and indeed, interference with the democratic process, itself!) must come from the 'grass roots'. I strongly urge any and all who read this to contact Senator Jim Webb's office http://webb.senate.gov/contact.cfm and point out to him that past failures to use the Hatch Act with regards to government infringement upon the legislative process regarding drug policy has created such vastly greater threats to the democratic process that it must be included in his Commission's investigation of the criminal justice system in this country. Sometimes, the word has to get to the right ear.This could even result in having that odious section of the ONDCP charter revoked, or even the ONDCP disbanded for what it has done with impunity in the past. But it won't happen unless we start the ball rolling.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #15 posted by Jack of Spades on December 21, 2009 at 05:16:45 PT
Dear Washington state Representative;
	While browsing a favorite cannabis news site I encountered an article concerning the recently introduced HB 2401. I was very glad to see the introduction of a bill to legalize marijuana, and the proposed reforms set an excellent basis for further development of marijuana law. Forming marijuana laws mirroring alcohol laws, and handling juvenile marijuana offenses the same makes simple sense; And with criminal organizations driven from business by legal growers, minors would no longer need to be recruited for illegal marijuana sales.
Underage marijuana use would most certainly decrease.	As the article had cited Rep. Goodman saying, I agree that one of the first revisions should include the separation of marijuana sales from the contract liqueur store. State-controlled sales of medical-grade marijuana from marijuana farm growers are but one means of tax collection, and legislation should also be considered to integrate, legitimize, & tax the current and potential industry of home-growers and individual sellers.	Cannabis culture has allowed for many innovations in sales and marketing; Some as convenient as safe home delivery from a trusted individual or couple, others inspiring more social events at neighborhood coffee shops. The home-grower & enthusiast must also be considered, along with the desire to develop clubs which trade specimens, and festivals which allow the judging of competing marijuana strains. A page can be taken from the home-brew club competition & transportation legislations passed earlier in 2009 (SB 5060), along with its concept of “family beer” in the form of “family pot”.	Tax revenues would come through the licensing of individual sellers as well as sales tax from pharmacies/dispensaries.  Sales records would be kept with dated entries along with an 'anonymous' customer id number; The buyers' identification & proof of age stored separately. With 'sales tax' has been collected through licensing fees to the individual seller, the marijuana farmer and home-growers' crops naturally remain untaxed. Transportation of yet undefined large quantities of marijuana would require a medical prescription or seller's license.	Only research studies can determine whether prolonged or immediate exposure to marijuana impairs driving ability or work performance, and any additional health ramifications;  And I look forward to further published medical research.	 -Jack of Spades,
	Marihuana Enthusiast.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #14 posted by The GCW on December 18, 2009 at 19:05:58 PT
The real crime.
It's not an honest matter of being soft on crime.What is and needs to be exposed is the Republican effort to make a crime out of what is not a crime.Cannabis prohibition IS the crime.And by the way, it's a crime against He who created the plant and said it was good on the 1st page of the Bible.And... it's a crime against all living creatures, which is what the plant was created for.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by runruff on December 18, 2009 at 17:58:44 PT
"...there'll be Hell to pay."
What is hell charging these days?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by kaptinemo on December 18, 2009 at 17:44:25 PT:
My, doesn't this smell familiar?
"The bill is also more ambitious than the California legalization initiative sponsored by Oaksterdam University, Gullwig said. That measure was written “defensively” in order to allow it to survive an election campaign in which numerous law enforcement groups will spend big to defeat it. (Emphasis mine - k.)Now, where, pray tell, are those groups getting their funding from, hmmmm?Can it be...the taxpayer? Which would make this attempt by said LE groups in using the taxpayer's money against the taxpayers a brazen violation of the Hatch Act.If police don't want to be public servants, they are welcome to remove their (taxpayer purchased) uniforms, badges and sidearms, and find less demanding careers. But sticking their noses in politics - and using the taxpayer's dollars to attempt to overturn popular referenda - should be met with legally punitive censure.It's long past time the Hatch Act was dusted off and used for precisely the reason it was intended, and 'send a message' of our own that if cops want to play politics with the people's money, there'll be Hell to pay.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by HempWorld on December 18, 2009 at 15:45:10 PT
Canis420
Yeah, I hear ya, but Florida's turn will come, just a little later.Florida has a very different demographic than most other states and/thus it is a republican stronghold.We are now looking at a national majority for cannabis regulation, that is very exciting!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by Canis420 on December 18, 2009 at 15:07:14 PT:
Comment # 1
HW...we are not even near the hump down here in Florida...cannabis laws are still very oppressive here.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by Jack of Spades on December 18, 2009 at 14:22:17 PT
HB 2401 - Legalizing marijuana.
For those wishing to view the proposed bill, head here:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/search.aspx
Then search for Bill Number "2401".
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by nooitsmee on December 18, 2009 at 12:11:08 PT:
thank for the welcome
Hey! Thank for the welcome and diggin' my name! =) I've been coming to this site for a year but finally got motivated enough to comment on an article. I just couldn't resist when I saw that monstrosity that was written about marijuana not being harmless. Ugh, some people!! I guess there will always be people like that, even in this day in time. But yeah, thank you again for the welcome! =)
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by Sam Adams on December 18, 2009 at 12:06:50 PT
Legalization poll
this was probably posted here before but I hadn't seen it:http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/34651/most_americans_support_legalizing_marijuanait would seem to bode well for California in Nov. 2010. I think it's good that they're doing this in 2010, in 2012 the Mormons and Catholic churches will be spending big bucks to increase conservative turnout for the gay marriage referendum. Next year I wouldn't be surprised if they're saving their political money for 2012.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by Hope on December 18, 2009 at 10:39:21 PT
Nooitsmee
I meant to tell you the other day, I like your moniker. And welcome to the casbah!(This casbah... well it's not in North Africa... but it is a fortress of sorts.)
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by nooitsmee on December 18, 2009 at 10:23:28 PT:
that's it!
That's it, I'm moving to Washington!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 18, 2009 at 08:48:32 PT
Hemp World
Thank you. I am hoping that 2010 is the best year every for all of us.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by HempWorld on December 18, 2009 at 08:34:12 PT
FoM
Thanks, I really appreciate that! Same to you and your family and to all the CNews readers and posters! I wish you also very good health and full recovery in 2010!Best Wishes, Merry Christmas and Legal and Regulated Cannabis/Marijuana in 2010 to all!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by FoM on December 18, 2009 at 08:14:39 PT
HempWorld
I just want to thank you and wish you a Happy Holiday Season.
My Little Christmas Page
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by HempWorld on December 18, 2009 at 08:11:21 PT
"after these ads hit, Goodman’s numbers went up,
and he ultimately became the first Democrat to win the suburban district since the 1960s."That's it were over the 'hump' momentum has shifted away from the Repubs and it won't come back!So righ Gullwig: “Marijuana prohibition is such a colossal failure that it needs to be ended regardless of how much money could be made regulating it,”IT'S OVER!
Legalize All Drugs!
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment