NORML is disappointed to report that Senate lawmakers failed to act this week on Senate Bill 5615, which sought to reclassify minor marijuana possession offenses from a criminal misdemeanor to a fine-only civil infraction. Their inaction kills the bill for this legislative session.
If enacted, this proposal would have reduced the penalties on minor marijuana possession offenses from a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine to a monetary penalty of no more than $100.
House lawmakers on the Committee on Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness had previously rejected a House companion bill (HB 1177) in January by a 5-3 vote. You can contact your state lawmakers and express your disappointment by entering your contact information below.
In January, House lawmakers also rejected a proposal that sought to legalize and regulate marijuana production, ale, and use to those age 21 or older. Yet a January statewide poll of 500 adults found that a solid majority of Washington voters support legalizing marijuana.
As a result, NORML Legal Committee member Douglas Hiatt, along with NORML Board Member Jeffrey Steinborn and others are petitioning to place the issue before state voters this November. To qualify for the ballot, organizers needs to turn in 241,153 valid signatures of registered voters to the Secretary of State’s Office on or before July 2.
Interested parties may contact the organizers by e-mail at sensiblewashington@gmail.com.
Thank you for supporting NORML’s marijuana law reform efforts in Washington.
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BREAKING NEWS: Senate Decriminalization Measure Dead For 2010; NORML Representatives File Legalization Initiative
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Fester420,
The 241,153 # is established by the state. IT’s a percentage of the population. It will go UP after the 2010 census.
And thanks for the confidence but it will not be easy to get the 241…. signatures in Seattle
Seattle only has 600,000 people.
The rest of the state will be essential to get this passed.
241,153 signatures? First, why such a werid number, why not a rounded off number haha. Second, they should have no problem getting this amount of signatures in a month in Seattle alone. Go Go Washington State ! Legalize it!