You are free to do as we tell you.

Bill Hicks

 

I-502:

Large tax penalties maintain black market incentives.

Dealers, traffickers and cartels like the idea of high taxes on marijuana.

“The Office of Financial Management has concluded that taxes will raise $1.9 billion (that’s no typo, not “million” but “billion”) within five years.”

 

Prohibition remains in place for adults age 18-20.

I would have thought the ACLU would be the last to propose dividing adults into groups of 1st and 2nd class citizens- those age 18-20 being prohibited from acting on their natural rights.

All adults should receive the protections and benefits of lifting a marijuana prohibition which is more harmful than the effects of adult marijuana use.

 

More than one ounce is illegal.

 

Growing a plant is illegal.

 

Marijuana from other than state sanctioned outlets is illegal.

 

DUI testing scheme begins.

 

How will I-502 end violent SWAT raids on people who want to grow a plant at home or possess more than 1 ounce?

 

Driving while impaired testing/legal limits for marijuana-

The concern is that bodily fluids may test positive for residual evidence of marijuana use (not abuse) unrelated to driving while impaired.

This is not to defend operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, legal or illegal drugs or marijuana– the concern is to avoid wrongful DUI arrests for people who are not impaired.

Medical marijuana has been here since 1998.

Has I-692 caused problems on the highways?

If this is an honest concern- what has the state been waiting on?

People have been able to get behind the wheel after using marijuana for decades.

This will remain so- even if recreational use of marijuana never becomes legal.

Maybe the Washington State Patrol sees this as a non-issue.

Some will say there is no reason to be concerned about being forced to submit to a marijuana impairment test because in order to be stopped for impaired driving- you have to show impairment?

 

This leaves out the possibility of being involved in an accident through no fault of your own- rear ended, hit a deer, etc.

During the accident investigation you are asked to submit to a test- maybe you appear to be stressed out, nervous, in shock, emotional, etc.

Perhaps you’ll be forced to prove your innocence at a DUI checkpoint?

 

Americans were never meant to agree on matters of a personal nature. This is why we have so many different churches here.

Why should the force of government/majority rule be connected in any way to these sorts of adult choices?

 

Law enforcement resources should be used to go after individuals who are harming others- not for policing arbitrary pre-crime scenarios.

 

Related-

Deconstructing I-502 Part 8: Opposition In Summary

 

 

Photo- Port Townsend scene