DAVE ROSS

Will Washington State be the first state to legalize just-for-fun marijuana?

Jun 22, 2011, 8:31 AM

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Dave Ross Commentary – Listen: Will Washington State be the first state to legalize just-for-fun marijuana?

Some states have decriminalized marijuana, or allowed medical marijuana, but Washington State could become the first state to legalize just-for-fun marijuana.

They’ve been out there for years, these pot legalizers, but now they’re starting to attract mainstream supporters.

And in Washington, the latest initiative campaign will include not just the ACLU, not just travel guru Rick Steves, who’s been a marijuana crusader for a long time, but the former US attorney for Western Washington, John McKay — a Republican. Who for years enforced — drug laws. And is now on the record saying the drug laws he once enforced are stupid.

And there’s another factor — the recession.

The war on drugs not only lets cops break down your door for growing plants, it sucks up BILLIONS of tax dollars. The only thing it hasn’t done is reduce drug use.

So here it is, an initiative written to address all the objections to legalizing marijuana.

You have to be over 21, the amount you can possess is limited, if you’re caught driving while high you’d go to jail just as if it was too many margaritas, and it would be taxed enough to bring in about $215 million a year. Money that could go to drug treatment. Or tattoo removal. Or refunds of other taxes – dare to dream!

And if anyone still sees this as the on-ramp to the Freeway of depravity — I say name your price! Require each pack have graphic pictures showing open mouths full of nachos, or raw photos of hippies naked except for their Birkenstocks and Grateful Dead T-shirts passed out in old school buses, or horrifying full color close-ups of bloodshot eyes — get as graphic as you like. But hasn’t the time finally come?

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Will Washington State be the first state to legalize just-for-fun marijuana?