Washington Initiative 502

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Washington Initiative 502
Seal of Washington
November 6, 2012
Yes No be right percent
Yes 1,724,209 55.7%
No 1,371,235 45.3%
total 3,095,444 100%

Washington Initiative 502 was a popular initiative in the state of Washington , USA , which was voted on on November 6, 2012. The initiative called for the legalization of cannabis as an intoxicant for recreational use for people over the age of 21 and was voted by the electorate with a majority of 55.7% (1,724,209 "yes votes" out of a total of 3,095,444 votes) with a turnout of 89%. accepted.

consequences

Voting result: approval disapproval The size of the circles reflects the number of voters in the individual counties



As a result of the initiative, possession of up to one ounce (about 30 grams) of cannabis has been legal in Washington since December 6, 2012. Cultivation and distribution remain state-regulated and private individuals are prohibited. In April 2013, the state alcohol control agency, which is responsible for regulation, published an updated roadmap for implementing the initiative into applicable law. From December 1, 2013, producers, processing companies and sales outlets should receive state licenses, but the first cultivation license was only issued in March 2014. Retailers started selling after July 7, 2014. Both wholesale and retail sales are taxed at 25%. The tax revenue should flow into the financing of addiction prevention , schools and health insurance . A sale to under 21-year-olds remains prohibited.

Similar initiatives in other states

Colorado

A similar initiative entitled Colorado Amendment 64 was also adopted in Colorado on the same day . With 54% of voters voting in favor of legalizing the limited cultivation and possession of cannabis for private use by adults. In contrast to the Washington initiative, you can own a limited number of plants from the age of 21 and give one ounce for free. A state license, which has been valid since January 1, 2014, is required for commercial trade. The consumption tax will be 15% and will be used to expand public schools. The state of Colorado was expected to generate $ 60 million in profit from the change in law by 2017, consisting of both newly generated tax revenue and law enforcement savings.

Analogous to the rules that apply to alcohol consumption, rules have been developed for cannabis use. Sales are only permitted in child-proof packaging , the sales outlets must not be near schools and public consumption is prohibited. For the ability to drive limits apply to be controlled with the help of standardized rapid tests.

Oregon and Massachusetts

Similar initiatives were put to the vote in two other countries. Oregon citizens opposed general approval of cannabis in their state. The Massachusetts vote resulted in the legalization of cannabis for medical use on a doctor's prescription, as was already permitted in 17 other states.

California

In 2010, California citizens rejected a similar bill, California Proposition 19 . On November 8, 2016, a similar bill ( California Proposition 64 ) was passed by a majority of voters.

Federal law

Possession and use of cannabis are still federally prohibited and criminally prosecuted in the United States by the Controlled Substances Act . The Obama administration has not yet enforced the ban . However, it is possible that this could change for the planned legalized sale of cannabis. So far, this has happened in nine US states.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ November 06, 2012 General Election Results. Retrieved January 14, 2013 .
  2. ↑ Liquor control board releases I-502 implementation timeline. In: Q13 FOX. April 17, 2013, accessed May 26, 2013 .
  3. ^ Jonathan Kaminsky: Washington state issues first pot-growing license. Reuters, March 5, 2014, accessed June 28, 2014 .
  4. ^ First retail licenses for marijuana will be issued July 7. In: The Bellingham Herald. June 24, 2014, accessed June 28, 2014 .
  5. ^ Washington state issues retail pot licenses. Reuters, July 8, 2014, accessed August 2, 2014 .
  6. ↑ a b c Maia Szalavitz: Colorado, Washington Become First States to Legalize Marijuana. In: TIME.com. November 7, 2012, accessed May 26, 2013 .
  7. ↑ Amendment 64. (PDF; 48.3 kB) Use and Regulation of Marijuana. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on June 9, 2013 ; accessed on May 26, 2013 (English).
  8. ↑ Colorado and Washington legalize marijuana. In: Spiegel Online. November 7, 2012, accessed May 26, 2013 .
  9. ^ A b Ro Silva: Amendment 64 Implementation Task Force presents its report to Colorado Governor, General Assembly and Attorney General. Proposes How to Regulate Marijuana in Colorado. (PDF; 24.4 kB) (No longer available online.) March 13, 2013, archived from the original on May 11, 2013 ; accessed on May 26, 2013 (English).
  10. ^ Christopher Stiffler: Amendment 64 would produce $ 60 million in new revenue and savings for Colorado. (PDF; 605 kB) (No longer available online.) Colorado Center on Law and Policy, August 16, 2012, archived from the original on May 7, 2013 ; accessed on May 26, 2013 (English).
  11. ↑ a b Peter Mühlbauer : The people have spoken. In: Telepolis. November 8, 2012, accessed May 26, 2013 .
  12. ^ A b Thomas Pany: Does Washington cool the "green intoxication"? In: Telepolis. March 26, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013 .
  13. ↑ Americans celebrate the release of hashish. In: Berliner Morgenpost. December 7, 2012, accessed May 26, 2013 .
  14. ↑ Amendment 64 Information. (PDF; 27.5 kB) (No longer available online.) November 7, 2012, archived from the original on March 15, 2013 ; accessed on May 26, 2013 (English).