Read about recreational marijuana initiative passes …

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Seattle Times writes that as of Dec. 6, it will no longer be illegal for adults over 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana, while a new “drugged driving” law for marijuana impairment kicks in.

Washington’s initiative 502 was winning 55 percent to 45 percent as election numbers were released Tuesday night, making it the first state along with Colorado to legalize recreational marijuana use, according to news reporter Jonathan Martin.

In Lewis County, only 44 percent of voters favored the measure, according to preliminary election results. A majority – 56 percent – of Thurston County voters said yes.

Seattle TImes reporter Craig Welch noted counties across the northern half of the state seemed to support the pot initiative while counties to the south voted it down.

Because cannabis remains illegal under federal law, federal authorities could sue to block I-502 from taking affect, but the Justice Department has given no hints about its plans, Associated Press writers say in a news story in The (Tacoma) News Tribune.

Read more here

43 Responses to “Read about recreational marijuana initiative passes …”

  1. sunshinegirl says:

    Disgusted , So sorry about your daughter , My oldest son died of a brain tumor in 1984 after 7 years of treatment and we used pot to keep him from starving to death. He was 13 when he died . Prayers to you and yours. Hang in there miracles do happen.

  2. Wishing You Well... says:

    Disgusted… wishing your daughter the very best and hoping you can keep her as pain free as possible. I cannot imagine what you are going through. Know that many of us are thinking of her…

  3. Disgusted says:

    One more thing . . . my daughter was very much against using medical cannabis, but we are running out of options. If anyone knows about Rick Simpson’s Oil – that is why I took her to get her green card a few weeks ago. Once she tried it, she found it helped in her in many ways we didn’t expect. She is calmer and sleeping much better at night, and the constant, excruciating headaches and eye pain she has (the tumor is on the optic nerve and is inoperable) are helped almost as much by the cannabis as they are by the narcotic medication that is prescribed by her doctors.

  4. Disgusted says:

    I apologize for being off topic but wanted to thank everyone for their kind words about my daughter and her battle with brain cancer. The situation is very dire, and at this point we are praying for a miracle. People have been awesome and have really renewed my faith in humanity as a whole. Without the outpouring of love and support we have been shown, I am not sure we would have made it this far. Bless you all.

  5. Huh? says:

    Thanks @George says: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 8:54 pm

    I appreciate the response.

    Though as soon as I read that I also got “respect” from DCE all I could think of were those two hippy jellyfish from “Sharktale” with Will Smith. Respect mon! Great, now I have Marley stuck in my head, again! Don’ worray 🙂

  6. Huh? says:

    DCE, I’ve never heard that “Cannabis was causing Black Men to rape white woman” until I see that you have posted it several times on this website. There were a lot of rumors going around in times past, but people let them die down and now they no longer affect the general population, and your quote is one of them. If you keep bringing it up people will repeat it, and maybe not in a good way.

    And you should know, from your research and disbelief in the government, that a little lie is easier to spread and get people to believe than a big lie.

    If you want to educate the public the same rules apply – you will catch more flies with honey than vinegar, IMO.

  7. Our Government has been selling us out for over a hundred years now. The Government has committed political suicide, In 1937 Cannabis was made illegal. The Government was claiming the Cannabis was causing Black Men to rape white woman. With a track record of lies like this how can one even beleive anything that comes out of their mouths in Washington. Oh and lets not forget what the Federal Government did to the Indians, In fact the US Gov. also radiated their own troops by testing the nuclear affects on humans. Then there’s this little bit of Information about the Evil Bill Gates whom has killed thousands with his Polio Vaccine. Think I’m wrong here’s the facts. http://www.infowars.com/bill-gates-and-47500-cases-of-paralysis/

  8. MorningCoffee says:

    Disgusted – I agree with your assessment on I502.

    I was “chosen” to walk by my mother’s side through her journey with brain cancer. I say “chosen” because at “just the right time,” I found myself fully available through a twisted path of circumstances … as if it was planned with precision. It was an honor and a gift from God bestowed upon me. May you find the many, many blessings in this difficult journey.

  9. woweeekazoweeee says:

    same old song and dance….those against it—have genuine concerns about typical human behaviors—-addiction, theft, and a pilithera of other crimes—let alone the IMPACT of the self abuse of others having to their innocent lives…..those for it—-the same old delusion rationalizations supporting their choice of just “how” they choose to self-destruct…..I, for one, am thankful that those law enforcement officers cared—cared enough to let my partying become my own means to an end—and then the great recovery program (provided by the state) that permitted me to deal with issues that led to my “self” abuse–and eventual walking away from a life of drug use, self destruction and misery that I had subjected EVERYONE around me to….21 years now clean and sober—-AND I WOULD NOT TRADE IT FOR ” THEIR ” WORLD….dope IS for losers—-pity the spiritual poor boyz…..so they say.

  10. woweeekazoweeee says:

    essentially from my rather “experienced” point of view….anyone in favor of this bill—-FAILS (or just plain can’t) comprehend the mental issues that people suffer from—-ones that LEAD to continued drug use and self-abuse….the term—denial….I for one had the capacity to deal with my “issues” — stop abusing drugs and alcohol and am thankful that law enforcement gave more of a hoot about me than I did…21 years now CLEAN

  11. The other PC says:

    C’mon Disgusted, since the voters took away alcohol from the state, they have to get their hands on money from somewhere!

    Very sorry to hear about your daughter; I have been through brain cancer with family too. It’s never an easy road, and having a sick child is all that much worse. My prayers are with your family.

  12. Disgusted says:

    I502 was just another way for the State to get its greedy paws into something that was working perfectly fine without them. They want to tax it at every level of production which will likely drive the price up and make people seek illegal sources.

    Currently, the donations requested at the dispensary I use for my daughter, who is suffering from brain cancer, has prices well below (and quality well above) anything you can find from a “street level dealer.” As we all know, once the State gets involved, they seem to fuck everything up.

    I502 was not intended to help the people of Washington or give them any more rights than we already had. It just gives the government and law enforcement the right to stick their bureaucratic noses where they previously couldn’t.

    And speaking of law enforcement, the other issue that is going to be very problematic is the issue of DUI. Since marijuana can show up in urine and blood test for 30 days or more after use, who is to say they aren’t going to start randomly charging people with DUI who are potentially not under the influence at all? I see this happening so they can make fortunes charging INNOCENT people with DUI. Anyone with half a brain knows that the purpose of DUI laws is to make money, not save lives. If they wanted to save lives, they’d make alcohol illegal and replace it with marijuana. A harmless “drug” that has never killed anyone.

    I502 is bullshit and I hope the Feds step in and, for once, do something that benefits the citizens of this state – REPEAL I502!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I don’t need the State or Federal government making my decisions for me and I pay more than enough taxes. And it’s only going to get worse now that a true POS just got four more years in the White House.

  13. George says:

    You think it is legal now? Go smoke a bowl in front of a cop, and let us know what happens. Or, read ALL of what I wrote, and learn something.

  14. MorningCoffee says:

    To sunshinegirl aka sunshinecow, From MorningCow – I say, I have never EVER heard such a vicious attack or stirred such anger by a relatively benign opposing view.

    A certain frequent flyer of LCSirens said the other day that to garner such outrage to one’s posts should be viewed as positive and good for the community..an honor of sorts… I don’t happen to agree with that. But by that way of thinking, you and I and our gang of cows should rejoice in this attack. — I’m proud to say, I don’t happen to think that way. I prefer civil discussions with a little humor thrown in.

    In any event, it strikes me that an honorable semper fi would never speak such vitriolic words.

  15. George you sure know alot about Marijuana. Geez a few weeks ago people were calling me a Lazy pot smoker and now everyone is on the Band Wagon saying they know a friend of a friend who smokes. Just think in 1937 the Government claimed Marijuana caused black men to rape white woman. Reefer Madness… Once again the Government’s War on Drugs is now an Epic Failure.. All the Hundreds of years Judges have handed out as prison sentences and now it’s legal. What a Hypocrite System!

  16. George says:

    You’re welcome, Coffee. I hope it helps with some who are wondering.

  17. MorningCoffee says:

    Thank you George for the informative, civil and intelligent discussion.

  18. MorningCoffee says:

    SF – You couldn’t be more wrong. I have never seen an attack on this site such as those you have posted. Most people on this site are able to have civil and logical discussions. Sensible public debate is the basic idea of most forums. That you disagree with someone is not a reason for such vicious attack.

    By the way, most of Lewis County IS backwoods… and I can only assume the people who live there do so by choice and for very good reason. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why so many folks are in Lewis County voluntarily, but bitch and complain about everything, yet choose to remain.

  19. George says:

    @ Huh?, a good friend of mine has a legitimate medical marijuana card. He uses the pot to help ease the pain from his MS. Yes, he smokes it, but when he does, he uses a thing that literally vaporizes to pot. It gives a different buzz than smoking it like in a joint or in a pipe, or from eating it in a cookie or brownie or something. Also, he doesn’t use it all the time. You hear a lot of people saying things like “I smoke it because it helps with the pain,” when in actuality, they are smoking it “just because.” Does that help?

    As for people getting busted at work via urinalysis, they can do the same thing as they would if they detected alcohol in your system: They can fire you. Yes, marijuana will soon be legal (it’s not legal yet), but so is alcohol. And you CAN lose your job if they detect alcohol in your system. What makes anyone think that pot would be any different? After all, if you sign a contract with your employer that says “no marijuana use. AT ALL.” you might want to consider that. Job, or pot. Your choice.

    You will also find many cases where a person is being released from jail or prison, and they have certain conditions on their release. Those conditions may be things like “No associating with gang members” or “no driving unless it is to or from work,” but you will also find a lot of cases where a condition will be “no consuming of any intoxicating substance.” This would mean no alcohol and/or no drugs. Yes, a court can tell you that you can’t smoke pot.

    There is the argument out there that pot is NOT an intoxicant. Wrong. It is. It IS a mood altering drug. Granted, it’s not going to alter ones mood like cocaine, meth, or heroin would, but it is still a mood altering drug. It IS an intoxicant. It might make you think you are “mellow” but if you have enough of it in you, it WILL slow your reaction times. That is called “intoxicated.” Kinda like when you’re drinking alcohol. You CAN get busted for a DUI if you are under the influence of pot. It happens all the time.

    Finally, whether the state says it is going to be legal or not, the FEDERAL government says it isn’t, and they take precedence. How will that play out? We’ll have to wait and see. People who get licensed by the state to grow or sell it will have to be reporting their income to the federal government, and they just might take exception to someone making their money from drugs. Again, we’ll have to wait and see what they do.

    So, there you have it. Marijuana is NOT legal right now, but it soon will be, unless the federal government steps in and says it still isn’t.

    Portions of the initiative pertaining to driving under the influence of marijuana and the decriminalization of marijuana possession take effect Dec. 6, 2012.

    There is no date certain for implementation of the licensing and taxation portions of the initiative. Therefore, an implementation date of Dec. 1, 2013, is assumed for the purpose of developing estimates only

    (The last two statements are taken directly from the Washington Secretary of State website).

  20. Semper Fi says:

    You don’t expect me to believe you go around spouding the same horse shit, hard-line, lewis county, anti-crime garbage around your male relatives.

    I would have hopes you had more class than that and kept it to your personal fake online existence.

    Whatever, cow. I’m out.

  21. Semper Fi says:

    Ted Bundy loved the women in his life as well. It’s the women who weren’t part of his “inner circle” that didn’t fare to well.

    Other than your 6 brothers and 10 cousins or whatever, I have no doubt you “love them”.

    What’s your point?

    Me thinks you try too hard. Just admit that you hate men that aren’t related to you or men that you aren’t getting money from in some way.

  22. sunshinegirl says:

    Oooh Mornin Coffee , Last week we were cows with a gang and this week we are misandrists .

  23. sunshinegirl says:

    Semper -Fi , We like men just fine, in fact I have 3 sons and 6 brothers so men have always been a big part of my life but you are just rude, I think YOU do not like women. Me thinks you doth protest too much as my old Dad (my best friend) and the Bard used to say.

  24. Semper Fi says:

    Mmm Hmm…so you’re agreeing with everything I’ve said except for the part where I “can’t even connect my comment as a response to your own claims” because I’m so “out of it”.

    WTF does that even mean?

    What comment are you referring to and how did I fail to connect it with anything I said? I basically broke your entire axe-grinding anti-cannabis b.s. and punched a gazillion holes it!!!!

    What is your problem? Can’t you just leave the men alone? You constantly attack the guys in this forums for nothing other than to show the world how big the axe you grind is.

    What’s the point? Make an intelligent statement for once. Enough with the innuendoes and allusions to unmanliness and other misandrist comments.

  25. MorningCoffee says:

    Aaaahahahaha. You’re so out of it you can’t even connect my comment as a response to your own claims.

  26. Semper Fi says:

    I think that only 44% of voters in Lewis County voted for I-502, but yet it was still passed statewide is a testament to not only the courage, determination, and solidarity with our brothers and sisters all over the state and the country, it is also a testament to the back-woods mentality that still plagues places like Centralia.

    Get with the program people. A corruption-free government and expanded personal liberties in the form of self-medication and sexual preferences are a GOOD THING.

    I’m proud to be a Washingtonian.

  27. “Huh” admited that Fluoride was a drug. You have my respect. Anyways lets get this straight Marijuana is a Herb and it’s a medicine. Pain meds are legal and Marijuana is a pain med. Research the facts. There are CBD’s in cannabis as well as THC. What are CBD’s? “Research This Please” Marijuana is a life saver for Chemo and chronic pain patients. I my self was bounced off of a car and was left to die by a drunk driver. With that being said, I am a chronic pain patient. Using Cannabis lowers the intake of Narcotic Type pain meds during a persons life time. There for the benefit out weighs the risk. Attacking Cannabis is Non-sense, Lets be thankful that the Lewis County Sheriff has to bow down to the Voice of the Voters… Marijuana Laws have been a joke since 1937. Thank you Washington State Voters.. Much Love!
    Tax Control and regulate just like alcohol…. Fluoride’s Next.. Bring it to your city council memebers, spread the word. We all can pull together as a team!

  28. Semper Fi says:

    “Semper – you’re not living up to your name.”

    So now you hate references to morality and ethics huh?

    “Revoking a criminal’s right to the use of alcohol during certain periods of time has nothing to do with it being a deadly poison!”

    It also has nothing to do with cannabis. I know it’s difficult, but try and stay on point. There’s no use in trying to argue that the state should still restrict cannabis use due to crimes related to cannabis, which is now LEGAL. I know what you’re trying to do. You’re trying to make this a “character issue” so you can slander my name and avoid having a serious discussion about things like facts and other “hassles”. At the same time, if alchohol is such a harmless substance that does no damage to communities or the health of people unassociated with it’s use like minor children and victims of accidents, pray tell me then WHY is it prohibited to be used by some people?

    “The point is to restrict the right to ANY intoxicant.”

    That is absurd. So you’re claiming that even though the STATE of washington through popular vote can still restrict its citizens use of said substance at whim without showing any detrimental effect? What does that statement even mean, “The right to restrict ANY intoxicant”. Are you now claiming that the state has the right to restrict caffeine or even nicotine, which are harmful to health, without a vote of THE PEOPLE? C’mon, you can’t be that ridiculous.

    “And if you believe that pot smokers don’t “lose function,” you’re quite misinformed.”

    So you think a nicotine addict doens’t ‘lose function’ when their having a nic-fit? What about people who over-eat? They lose function. Why not spend your self-undervalued time to fight for those causes? Those causes actually KILL people by the THOUSANDS and yet here you sit advocating that “criminals” should STILL be denied the right of EVERY CITIZEN OF THIS STATE due to outdated law? So, you’re basically suggesting that it would be okay for the state legal practitioners to become criminals by refusing to honor the public vote. Nice. You’re so smart. Were you in the military? You cut me down for being a faithful servant of my country and yet here you are advocating that state employees become criminals.

    “The idea that pot makes you more cautious is an incorrect characterization – it “slows response time” which you apparently mistakenly believe is increased caution.”

    You provide NO PROOF. You’re still touting the same old tired lines about cannabis that simply isn’t true.

    “The correct characterization is that pot intoxication tends to mellow a person, whereas alcohol intoxication tends to agitate.”

    Being “mellow” is NOT intoxication.

    “Both give a person a false sense of confidence.”

    That’s a lie. Pot doesn’t give anybody any more of a false sense of conficence than sitting behind a computer eating ding-dongs and engaging poeple in inane argument about trivial matters.

    My point is this:

    Cannabis is LEGAL now. Any piss tests that discriminate against cannabis users is AGAINST STATE LAW.

    If you don’t like Washington State, I refer you to the back-woods jingoist slogan, “Then move somewhere else ya commie pinko!”

  29. Huh? says:

    I am thankfully naive about all drugs, and pot being one of them. And YES it is a drug if it alters your mind or body in any way, as does caffeine, aspirin, sugar, fluoride, and other legal and illegal drugs.

    Question – if it is harmful to inhale cigarette smoke (toxins in the nicotine), harmful to inhale smoke from fire (campfire, firemen fighting fires, etc. natural wood products green or seasoned), harmful to inhale house fire smoke (house toxins) harmful to inhale vehicle exhaust, then why is it okay to inhale marijuana or Cannabis smoke? Isn’t smoke in general bad?
    What makes Cannabis better than firewood? Is there a “safe” way to “smoke” it? I could make a joke about brownies, but this is a real question about the actual SMOKE emitted from the use.

    Please help to educate those of us naive about such things. My experience is limited to the stoners at school, and those were seen from a distance. Thank you.

  30. Jake Voie says:

    I can’t agree more… I think the liabilty ultimately is placed on tax-payers. I don’t smoke marijuana although if I had monet to buy it, I’m sure I could go to a local street corner to get it. Also, I would like to metion, that Harborside Health in California sells Medical Marijuana to patients at a cost (and I’m no genius) very competive with street value marijuana. Yuh know, I think this is an issue that should be crediblly looked at from every angle. I don’t have an opinion on it, but if I chose to smoke marijuana, I would feel more comfortable buying it, with tax, and it, at being competitive with street prices ultimately gives an advantage to the regulated arena of marijuana law. “”

  31. MorningCoffee says:

    Semper – you’re not living up to your name. Revoking a criminal’s right to the use of alcohol during certain periods of time has nothing to do with it being a deadly poison! The point is to restrict the right to ANY intoxicant. And if you believe that pot smokers don’t “lose function,” you’re quite misinformed. The idea that pot makes you more cautious is an incorrect characterization – it “slows response time” which you apparently mistakenly believe is increased caution. The correct characterization is that pot intoxication tends to mellow a person, whereas alcohol intoxication tends to agitate. Both give a person a false sense of confidence.

  32. Semper Fi says:

    “Therefor, I see no difference with marijuana.”

    One HUGE difference is that alchohol is a deadly poison that causes people to lose control of their functions whereas cannabis is NON TOXIC and has been proven to make users more cautious.

    Therefore, trying to continue prohibition of a harmless plant by comparing it to alcohol is a dead horse that really doesn’t need to be beaten any further.

  33. Jake Voie says:

    I heard someone mention earlier, the ordeal of having inmates released from custody and released to the supervision of a Community Correction Officer and failed drug tests. I am not thoroughly convinced that anyone will be permitted to smoke marijuana while on community custody. The reason I believe this is because, currently a Judge or the Community Corrections Officer can repeal the right of an individual over the age of 21 from drinking alcohol while community custody. Therefor, I see no difference with marijuana…

  34. Lets not forget I was arested for trying to operate a MMJ training center in Lewis County. Remember a training center.. Not a dispensary…. Just mention Marijuana in Lewis County and the cops come a running! Now that’s about to change. Lets get the Tweekers!

  35. MOST pain Docs UNDERSTAND medical use!!!… This is a step backwards for TRUE medical users…. It needs to be a more clear guideline if it’s ALL going to be legal. Medical patients will ALWAYS have a THC level over the limit!… I’ll take it over narcotics any day!!!

  36. Troy says:

    One other thin is what is Probation Officers going to do when all there offenders come in and test positive to THC..that is going to be something to watch….

  37. Troy says:

    Seattle has always allowed some type of pot smoking in there city. For years you could walk down the street and smoke a joint. Seattle has other things to worry about then some dude smoking a joint. As for Centralia,Chehalis, Lewis County I see them keeping a small amount in there cars and adding to your to make over a ounce so they can bust you or rigging their scales to make them read higher then they really do.

  38. chris says:

    I wonder how the doctors who keep people on pain contracts will handle seeing THC on a routine drug test. (not ‘green’ card holders)

  39. Huh? says:

    I am surprised that Lewis County rejected the pot bill, unless they just saw through the bs about allowing the government to oversee the product for the welfare of the people, and kicking out the drug cartels (yeah right!). But in reading through all these Sirens reports I sure thought that it would pass… unless all those reports resulted in loss of voting rights….

    I am also surprised that such a red county would vote in Green Dean, who was supported by such groups as the unions and environmental groups. Last time I checked my PUD bill, it had gone up for those poor fishies and “purchased” wind “power”. The only time that I suffer from global warming is when I read the increase on my power bill. That’s usually when I want to put my carbon footprint right up….

  40. Miss Muffet says:

    I think I just saw a cop smoking a bowl in downtown Seattle, DCE. Isn’t that awesome???

  41. MorningCoffee says:

    Yes GB – and furthermore, what of the growers, processors, packagers, and selling outlets when they have to file federal tax returns, essentially outing themselves to illegal federal activities. That’s the part I don’t understand.

  42. Guilty Bystander says:

    Passage of this initiative will ultimately mean nothing because the federal government has a zero-tolerance policy towards marijuana and states do not supercede the feds. They’re finding that out in California now, they’ll eventually find out here and nothing short of new tolerance policies from DC or outright state secession from the union will change anything.

  43. Now what is Law Enforcement Going to do now that they can’t bust you for the so called Evil Weed? The Government told American’s in 1937 that Marijuana caused black men to rape white woman. Pure Reefer Madness… All Lies… Marijuana is harmless.. Cigerettes are more adicting than crack cocaine and auctualty kill people….. Marijuana has killed no one ever……..Our Government has been lying to us since 1937..