Watch video and learn more about medical marijuana, the policies surrounding the issue, and other important topics that are important to you. Read more...
Marijuana is on the mind of elected officials in Olympia these days as Initiative 502 (proposing recreational legalization for those over 21) is discussed ahead of a likely vote by the people in November.
In addition, letters have been sent from Gov. Gregoire and 42 Washington lawmakers asking the DEA to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule 2 drug, which would verify its medicinal value at the federal level, allowing doctors to prescribe and pharmacies to distribute the drug.
The Herald spoke with two local medical cannabis dispensary owners to get their take on how I-502 and reclassification could affect the industry.
Initiative 502
The initiative, if passed, would allow adults 21 and older to purchase marijuana for recreational use from stores licensed by the WA Liquor Control Board. The Board would also control manufacture and distribution, while the state would tax the sales, creating hundreds of millions in revenue to go towards public programs, according to backers. The sticking point for many is the DUI provision, where people could be tested for THC (the main active ingredient in cannabis) levels in their blood. Opponents have said THC stays in the body far longer than alcohol, so the test would not be an accurate reading of impairment.
John Davis, owner of the Northwest Patient Resource Center at the corner of 35th and Roxbury, said I-502 would likely have little effect on medical marijuana dispensaries or their patients.
“They will (medical marijuana dispensaries) still be there, they will be separate and distinct,” Davis said. “It comes up to the liquor control board to pass regulations and to figure out exactly which places are getting licensed. I don’t know if you will see places are both medical and recreational that work with cannabis ... that will be up to the liquor control board.”
Chris Cody, owner of Herban Legends on 16th Ave in White Center, said he hopes the initiative will provide a distinction between medicinal and recreational users, because he doesn’t believe his patients should have to pay the same 25 percent tax hike as recreational users.
Read more http://www.westseattleherald.com/2012/02/02/news/local-medical-cannabis-providers-ponder-future
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