Supporters of i-502, the marijuana legalization initiative on this November’s ballot, are beginning to believe that the measure may actually pass. New Approach Washington has marshaled a well funded and professional campaign in support of the initiative and the measure is polling well across the state.
The political landscape in Seattle looks particularly favorable as legalization is supported by the Mayor and eight of nine city council members. But in the Central District, the physical landscape may not be so accommodating. Specifically, i-502 requires that marijuana only be available in stores that sell no other products and are located at least 1,000 feet from schools, playgrounds, and parks. This stipulation sounds reasonable, particularly in light of recent threats by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries within 1000 feet of Seattle schools and parks. But how much space does that really leave in the CD? Our neighborhood is fortunate to be served by a great number of parks and schools. In fact, it’s pretty hard to find property that falls outside of the 1000 foot radius stipulated in i-502. If daycare organizations are figured into the equation, there’s even less real-estate.
One commercial corner does appear to make the cut though- 23rd and Union. So as CD’ers envision the types of businesses we hope to see re-populate that corner, don’t forget to save a little space for the pot shop.
My kid tells me that a medical marijuana card is easier to get than booze in high school. Enough already. MJ should be treated like a medicine, with benefits and drawbacks. It is not a damage-free drug. It did wonders for my mother’s back pain, but destroyed my ex-boyfriend’s lungs before he was 30. Treat it like a medicine and have it prescribed by doctors, not my former drug addict friend turned MJ dispensory owner. Blah.
i502 legalizes pot for people 21 and older. Yes, that means people can harm their lungs with it, or waste away their lives with it, just like with cigarettes or beer. But let’s face it – that’s happening already, and was happening well before medical mj. The main benefit of this inititive is that it will shift profits from organized crime to the government. That’s billions less for criminals, billions more for schools, police, and even drug treatment facilities.
Let’s face it, the main reason it hasn’t been legalized already, is that the cops and prison systems around the country rely on the war on drugs to keep justifying their high expenditures. The opposition really just want to keep their jobs. Nevermind big pharma and many of the overpriced drugs they produce becoming irrelevant when mj is legal.
Agree with Mike about the ‘war’ on drugs affect, but the real $$$ that fight this everywhere that it is proposed is – Organized Crime.
@matt… except that main premise is B.S.
Very few people in WA are in jail or prison for much to do with MJ. Perhaps it’s different in other states, but here, are jails and prisons are not full of MJ offenders.
NO the marijuana did not tear his lungs up! it was the way he choose to ingest.
Does it make sense to anyone that we make substance A, which is highly addictive, causes belligerent intoxication, angry confrontations, reduced inhibitions, and kills thousands every year, available at every grocery store in the country while making substance B, which isn’t addictive, causes relaxation, slight euphoria, and hunger, but has myriad medical and industrial uses, and cannot kill you, completely forbidden? Welcome to the greatest country on earth right? Prohibition is nothing more than WELFARE FOR COPS!
@ap How so?
@uppity That’s a weak argument. That’s like saying that niccotine doesn’t cause cancer, it’s the way people choose to ingest. Sure, it’s true, but that doesn’t change the fact that most niccotine is ingested via smoking.
Unless you’re proposing we only legalize pot brownies, this argument is a distraction. Many will smoke it, and some will die. The real issue in my mind is that this happens anyway, and we’re just boosting the criminal economy by outlawing it.
whats common sense?
Pot is a bummer. It stunts your mental capacity. Fact.