The Herald, 04 Oct 2012 – Michael Baumgartner Endorses I-502, While Sen. Maria Cantwell Opposes the Measure Over ‘Concerns Expressed by Law Enforcement.’ SEATTLE (AP) – The campaign to legalize and tax marijuana for adults in Washington state is rolling as next month’s vote approaches, with more than $1 million in new contributions reported since last week and a surprising endorsement Wednesday from Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Michael Baumgartner.

DrugSense

The Western Front, 02 Oct 2012 – The gallery was full in the Bellingham City Council chambers Saturday for a discussion of statewide ballot measures that will appear on the Nov. 6 docket. The forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County, touched on three of the state’s most hotly contested issues: marijuana (I-502), charter schools (I-1240) and marriage equality (Ref. 74).

Spokesman-Review, 02 Oct 2012 – States have always been the laboratories of democracy, but few have tried to legalize marijuana so it can be regulated and taxed. That’s because Congress adopted a law more than five decades ago that treats pot the same as heroin. The prohibition of marijuana has failed — just as the one on alcohol did — but it is swept up in the "war on drugs." Marijuana use is widespread despite being driven underground. As with Prohibition, those making huge profits are gangsters who ruthlessly protect their turf. Gangsters in the 1930s were put out of business by legalizing the sale of alcohol. That can happen with marijuana, too.

The Columbian, 03 Oct 2012 – Reading the Sept. 30 editorial, "Legalize & Tax: Marijuana Initiative 502 offers the chance to abandon prohibition as a lost cause," I am very disappointed that in endorsing Initiative 502 (which will legalize and tax marijuana), The Columbian made no mention of the increasing evidence that marijuana is a high-risk drug with high health and cost impacts for society. I have written previously about the studies linking marijuana use to schizophrenia. Recent studies now link the drug to testicular cancer and permanent lowering of IQ.

DrugSense

Seattle Times, 03 Oct 2012 – It’s startling enough that the King County Sheriff – not a retired cop, but the current sheriff – came out this week for legalizing pot. But then there was the sheriff’s reasoning. Part of it was even more unusual.

Seattle Times, 02 Oct 2012 – The campaign to legalize recreational marijuana has received two boosts: another $1 million in donations, and a vote of approval from King County Sheriff Steve Strachan. The biggest donation to Initiative 502 came from Progressive Insurance founder and marijuana-legalization advocate Peter Lewis. His $670,000 donation last week brings his total contribution to $1.55 million, more than a third of I-502’s total donations of nearly $4 million.

Seattle Times, 02 Oct 2012 – Contrary to what baby boomers believe, marijuana is addictive and voters should reject Initiative 502 to legalize it, according to guest columnists Robert DuPont and Andrea Barthwell. MANY baby boomers and their children still believe the folklore of the 1960s and ’70s that marijuana can’t be addictive, because it’s just an herb. But several decades of research clearly show that what we believed 40 years ago is wrong. Marijuana addiction is common.

Seattle Times, 01 Oct 2012 – Washington voters should legalize marijuana and vote yes on Initiative 502 because drug laws disproportionately harm African Americans and Latinos, writes guest columnist SpearIt. PASSING Initiative 502, which legalizes small amounts of marijuana for use by adults 21 years and older, should be a priority for supporters of racial justice in Washington.