A group that supports the legalizing marijuana says it turned in about 355,000 signatures to Washington's secretary of state Thursday. That's more than enough to qualify an initiative. But those within the legalize marijuana community are split on the measure.
New Approach Washington is the group backing a state initiative called I-502. It would legalize small amounts of marijuana for those 21 or older. It would also put controls on driving under the influence, regulate sales and tax the drug.
Big names are backing this initiative: Rick Steves the travel guru, Democratic state Representative Mary Lou Dickerson and Pete Holmes, Seattle's City Attorney.
Holmes says marijuana would be a huge cash crop for the state of Washington. "Let's stop handing over this incredible market to international criminal drug cartels and instead regulate it, make sure it stays out of the hands of children, that people are not driving while stoned and that we are taxing it," he says.
A group called November Coalition is against the initiative. It argues the proposed regulations are too strict and that marijuana should be available in more than just state-licensed stores.
On the Web:
New Approach Washington:
Full text - Initiative 502:
http://sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/i502.pdf
Copyright 2011 Northwest Public Radio
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