North Kitsap Herald, 26 Oct 2012 – POULSBO – As Poulsbo continues to grapple with last year’s amendment to the Medical Use of Cannabis Act, which allows collective cannabis gardens but not dispensaries, Initiative 502 on the Nov. 6 ballot calls for legalization of marijuana for adults 21 and older. Collective gardens, which allows 45 plants or 72 ounces of "usable cannabis" per garden, are the only legal access points to medical marijuana in the state. Patients can grow up to 15 plants individually.

The Columbian, 25 Oct 2012 – The beautiful state of Washington has too much integrity to put the lives of its residents in jeopardy and be known as the "pot state" by legalizing marijuana. It is a mind-altering, intoxicating, addictive drug, which can lead to the use of harder drugs. Are we going to legalize such a drug in the name of money?

DrugSense

Yakima Herald-Republic, 23 Oct 2012 – In many ways, the ballot measure that seeks to legalize the production, possession, delivery and distribution of marijuana walks a middle ground in the terrain of controlled-substance use and abuse. Voter approval of Initiative 502 would put Washington state in the forefront of efforts to revamp society’s approach to drug laws. The question is whether, middle ground or no, we should be stepping onto this turf to begin with. We believe not. The Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board urges a "no" vote on Initiative 502.

The Daily News, 24 Oct 2012 – Cowlitz County’s top law enforcement officers are speaking out against a measure on the November ballot that would legalize marijuana possession, saying the law would give children the wrong idea about drugs and open the door to legalizing methamphetamine and heroin use. "Don’t be fooled, folks. There are people out there who will advocate the same arguments for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and every other kind of drug that is out there," Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson writes in an open letter to the public that was also endorsed by Longview Police Chief Jim Duscha, Kelso Police Chief Andy Hamilton, Castle Rock Police Chief Bob Heuer, Kalama Police Chief Randy Gibson and Woodland Police Chief Rob Stephenson.

Mercer Island Reporter, 23 Oct 2012 – We all agree that sniffing glue is not a good idea. It affects cognition. Same with lead paint. We go to great lengths to prevent our kids from being around it since we know that ingestion causes decreased intelligence. A study published this month in "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" shows that smoking marijuana four or more times per week in children under the age of 18 years causes a loss of up to eight IQ points.

Seattle Times, 21 Oct 2012 – While Initiative 502’s call for marijuana legalization was conceived with Seattle sensibilities, the campaign is trying to woo Eastern Washington voters with conservative and libertarian messages. It’s a tough sell. SPOKANE – On a rainy Sunday in downtown Spokane, Rick Steves jumped on stage to evangelize for marijuana legalization.

The Columbian, 21 Oct 2012 – I disagree with The Columbian’s endorsement of Initiative 502 to legalize marijuana. It’s pure fantasy to believe that drug dealers and marijuana growers will suddenly become responsible citizens and pay millions of dollars in taxes based on the poison they manufacture and distribute. It’s also pure fantasy to believe that legalizing marijuana will not result in significant increases in its use and drug-related crime in our neighborhoods. Usage surveys have already confirmed that marijuana usage in states having medical marijuana laws is increasing disproportionately when compared to states with no medical marijuana laws. As expected, it’s our school-aged children who are now using marijuana at increasing rates.

The Wenatchee World, 20 Oct 2012 – There is little new in the Prohibition argument. This is it: The substance in question (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana) is so obviously harmful when abused, so destructive of family bonds, so detrimental to youthful potential, so disruptive to the fabric of sober society, that its possession and sale should be illegal. Preventing intoxication is a public good, so make criminals of the intoxicated. It’s partly true. Abuse of these substances is harmful. We have all seen it with our own eyes. But how can the law stop it? Did Prohibition reduce alcohol abuse, make it less costly to society, protect youth, reduce crime and corruption? No. Prohibition of alcohol is widely considered one of the most ineffective and misguided efforts in our history, multiplying criminality, violence, corruption and widening alcohol use simultaneously. It worked so poorly and weighed on society so heavily the effort didn’t last much more than a dozen years before it was discarded as a failure.

Spokesman-Review, 21 Oct 2012 – If Initiative 502 to legalize marijuana is approved, Washington will become one of the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use. There are many reasons this is a bad idea. Legalization will lead to increased use by youth because of easier availability, and from observing the behavior of adults. Marijuana is an illegal Schedule 1 drug. It will remain illegal at the federal level regardless of what the state determines. This will make the state out of compliance with federal law. This may result in funding sanctions.