Seattle-based Sensible Washington announced Tuesday that it will try to get a statewide initiative in 2013 to ask voters to repeal adult marijuana prohibition in the state.
Sensible Washington is the same group attempting to get an initiative in Kent to ask voters to make marijuana offenses the lowest priority enforcement by Kent Police.
Similar to last year’s I-1149, and 2010’s I-1068, this initiative would repeal the civil and criminal penalties related to adult cannabis use and possession, according to a media release from Sensible Washington. It would remove cannabis from the state’s list of controlled substances, without altering legal penalties for minors and for those driving while under the influence. Sensible Washington is taking input from the community on any potential alterations to the initiative language.
In November, voters in Washington State decide the fate of another marijuana measure, Initiative 502. Sensible Washington plans to continue forth whether or not it passes.
“Initiative 502 has caused a massive rift in the cannabis reform community and we want to give people a viable alternative,” according to the Sensible Washington media release. “If I-502 fails in November, we want to assure the public that moving forward, there’s an option available in our state for legalizing cannabis. If I-502 does pass, cannabis would remain a Schedule I drug alongside heroin, which we’re not comfortable with and will work towards correcting.”
After filing in January, Sensible Washington would have until early July to collect the necessary signatures to put this initiative on the November 2013 general election ballot.
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