Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
In Washington state the Seattle Times is calling on the state legislature to "free the weed" and legalize marijuana. In an unsigned editorial for the Sunday edition, the paper is coming out in favor of House Bill 1550, which would make it legal to sell marijuana in liquor stores.
The Seattle Times is the largest daily newspaper in Washington state. The editorial comes on the heels of Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes decision to stop prosecuting user-level possession cases.
The Times Editorial proclaims:
Marijuana should be legalized, regulated and taxed. The push to repeal federal prohibition should come from the states, and it should begin with the state of Washington.
In 1998, Washington was one of the earliest to vote for medical marijuana. It was a leap of faith, and the right decision. In 2003, Seattle was one of the first places in America to vote to make simple marijuana possession the lowest police priority. That, too, was a leap of faith, and the right decision. A year ago, City Attorney Pete Holmes stopped all prosecutions for simple possession: the right decision. It is time for the next step. It is a leap, yes – but not such a big one, now.
The Seattle Times is right. The time is now. According to the Times the prohibition of marijuana has been a failure, and a waste of resources, putting an unnecessary burden on the police, the courts and the jails. The editorial correctly suggests it is better to legalize pot, regulate it and tax it.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: examiner.com
Author: Michael Stone
Copyright: 2011 Democrat Examiner
Contact: Contact | Examiner.com
Website: Marijuana: Seattle Times urges Washington state to free the weed
The Seattle Times is the largest daily newspaper in Washington state. The editorial comes on the heels of Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes decision to stop prosecuting user-level possession cases.
The Times Editorial proclaims:
Marijuana should be legalized, regulated and taxed. The push to repeal federal prohibition should come from the states, and it should begin with the state of Washington.
In 1998, Washington was one of the earliest to vote for medical marijuana. It was a leap of faith, and the right decision. In 2003, Seattle was one of the first places in America to vote to make simple marijuana possession the lowest police priority. That, too, was a leap of faith, and the right decision. A year ago, City Attorney Pete Holmes stopped all prosecutions for simple possession: the right decision. It is time for the next step. It is a leap, yes – but not such a big one, now.
The Seattle Times is right. The time is now. According to the Times the prohibition of marijuana has been a failure, and a waste of resources, putting an unnecessary burden on the police, the courts and the jails. The editorial correctly suggests it is better to legalize pot, regulate it and tax it.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: examiner.com
Author: Michael Stone
Copyright: 2011 Democrat Examiner
Contact: Contact | Examiner.com
Website: Marijuana: Seattle Times urges Washington state to free the weed
