MarijuanaEl2012
Washington voters have overwhelming approved a measure to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana. (AP image)

Washington voters approve legalized marijuana

BY MyNorthwest.com  on November 6, 2012 @ 4:22 pm (Updated: 6:10 am - 11/7/12 )

Washington voters have overwhelmingly approved a measure to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana in the state.

Check live results.

"The whole country is going to wake up and look at Washington state and recognize this is the beginning of taking apart prohibition one state at a time," said initiative supporter Rick Steves.

I-502 establishes a system of state-licensed marijuana growers, processors and retail stores, where adults over 21 can buy up to an ounce. It also would establish a standard blood test limit for driving under the influence.

Estimates have shown pot taxes could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars a year, but the sales wouldn't start until state officials make rules to govern the legal weed industry.

Recent public polling has showed significant support for the measure. Pot legalization initiatives were also on the ballot Tuesday in Colorado and Oregon. While the measure was running over 50 percent statewide, it was capturing 64 percent approval in King County.

Promoted by New Approach Washington, I-502 called for a 25 percent excise tax at each stage from the growers on until it is sold in stores to adults 21 and over. They could buy up to an ounce of dried marijuana; one pound of marijuana-infused product in solid form, such as brownies; or 72 ounces of marijuana-infused liquids.

The cannabis would be subject to testing to establish its THC content, and labeled accordingly. Public display or use of marijuana would still be prohibited.

State financial experts estimate it could raise nearly $2 billion in tax revenue over the next five years, with the money going toward education, health care, substance abuse prevention and basic government services.

It remained unclear how the federal government would respond.

When state and federal laws conflict, federal law takes precedence. Federal authorities could sue in an attempt to block I-502 from taking effect. The Justice Department has given no hints about its plans.

The campaign was notable for its sponsors and supporters, who ranged from public health experts to two of the DOJ's top former officials in Seattle, U.S. Attorneys John McKay and Kate Pflaumer.

The effort raised more than $6 million in contributions, with more than $2 million of that coming from Progressive Insurance Co. founder Peter Lewis, who used marijuana to treat pain from a leg amputation.

The ample fundraising allowed New Approach Washington to run television ads through the campaign's final weeks.

Meanwhile, I-502 had little organized opposition. Some in law enforcement and public health are concerned that increased access will lead to increased abuse, especially among teens.

Others who opposed the measure did so because it didn't go far enough, and that the blood test limits were arbitrary and could affect medical marijuana patients. Still others worried about a possible federal-state law clash.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (43)


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  • manabouttown wrote...
    I voted NO
    November 7, 2012 10:45 am
    This law will grow government. Make pot legal and then leave it alone. Why do we always think we can just tax anything to "raise" money? This will grow government to a level I am not comfortable with. Can we trust officials to do it right? Really? Pot is a plant. Aloe comes from a plant. Why isn't aloe taxed? I just said NO, but I see others want to be taxed to death and GROW government even bigger.
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  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    A Scary Thought...
    November 7, 2012 10:50 am
    With weed being legal now, what the heck are Hempfest organizers going to talk/complain about for 12 hours a day during their summer "festivals"? Perhaps they'll lobby now to have Jay & Silent Bob run for Pres/VP... Snoochie Boochies! (BTW, for all you tards out there who don't recognize sarcasm, I'll spell it out for you...the above comments are made in good fun, and are in no way my serious opinion on the subject)
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  • HLC wrote...
    I firmly believe the cartels will be the ones growing it here.
    November 7, 2012 10:52 am
    If you think they are just going to give up this income your on the stick to much. Just like certain groups have taken over the taxicabs and convience stores the hispanics will take over the grow operations with the governments help. What could be better than a minority business owner?
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  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    Here's a Thought
    November 7, 2012 11:11 am
    How about we leave medicinal marijuana largely untaxed, so that people who truly need it as medicine can still get it at a reasonable price? I am all for focusing marijuana taxes on those in the state who just want it for rec use. I am willing to bet that overall prices for rec users won't be all that different than they are now. There's already a tax on those who buy it - it's the "I'm risking fines and imprisonment by selling you this product" tax. If people would just embrace the whole thing, and sellers of marijuana products become more widespread, you will see that prices will be kept reasonable by the competition factor. Dispensaries (sp?) will have to at least offer lower-cost product if they have to worry about you walking down to 7-11 and buying a special brownie.
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  • HLC wrote...
    You'll still be paying the I'm risking prison tax.
    November 7, 2012 12:32 pm
    Because it will still be illegal. What isn't clear about that? It's still illegal no matter what the state says.
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  • sparbination wrote...
    chill people...
    November 7, 2012 6:23 pm
    For the time being it is illegal in the eyes of the Fed. The fact is, the feds cannot force the States to uphold Federal laws. If the Feds wanted to they could come in and enforce it themselves as we have seen on many occassions to shut down medicinal marijuana dispensaries throughout the country. Don't think for a moment that they are going to go after users, they won't because the Feds do not have the manpower. This is just the beginning and it will eventually become legal in all the other states. This is exactly how prohibition of alcohol was ended, states refusing to uphold a useless Federal law that actually made the use of alcohol worse. As for the argument that more kids will start using is just ignorant. They are already using, don't be a hypocrit. Now everyone just chill and smoke a bowl.
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  • Rawrface wrote...
    LEGALIZE IT!
    November 14, 2012 6:09 am
    Why don't we just start legalizing it everywhere? Why are so many people still stuck in this FEAR stage...? Stop worrying, start hoping. LEGALIZE IT! If you live in a state where Marijuana isn't legal yet and still want the same type of highs, I suggest checking out uIntoxicate.com. It has amazingly detailed legal highs reviews and where to get them without getting ripped off! CHECK IT: http://uintoxicate.com/
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