DrugSense

DrugSense

The Columbian, 23 Apr 2013 – I could not disagree more with your April 11 editorial, "Balance the Pot Taxes," or state Sen. Ann Rivers’ position. It is improper to consider taxing prescription medical marijuana, just as it would be improper to tax oxycodone. The claim is made that, since the state intends to tax freely sold marijuana, there will be a rush to get the cheaper prescription variety. Hence the need to tax medical marijuana sales. People currently pay $10-15 for a single oxycodone tablet, and forged prescriptions are a daily problem. So why not tax oxycodone tablets at $8-12? More money for the state, and too bad about all the cancer and other chronic-disease sufferers who will be crushed by those taxes. At least the state will get more money and Sen. Rivers can protect the sweetheart tax loopholes of her constituents.

Seattle Times, 14 Apr 2013 – For the first time, national polling shows a majority of Americans – 52 percent of us – favor legalizing marijuana use in the United States. Opposition has dropped to 45 percent. The new figures, in a scientifically conducted survey by the Pew Research Center, indicate a dramatic reversal of American public opinion. Support for legalizing marijuana has jumped 11 points just since 2010.

DrugSense

The Columbian, 11 Apr 2013 – Rivers Has a Good Plan for Helping Initiative 502 Succeed Not too long ago, few Clark County residents would have envisioned a Republican state senator introducing a bill that even mentioned the word "marijuana" or dared to advocate a tax increase.

DrugSense

Seattle Times, 09 Apr 2013 – Recreational Marijuana and Medical Marijuana Are Under Different Systems. They Need to Be Reconciled. In 2012 Washington voters approved Initiative 502 to create a recreational-marijuana system that is highly regulated and taxed. But the state already had a medical-marijuana market that is almost unregulated and untaxed, and in which it is easy to become a patient. If nothing is done, the existing market will undermine the new one.

Seattle Times, 07 Apr 2013 – Wide Open Vs. Regulated Legislature Eyes More Rules for Medical Pot to Avoid Sapping Recreational Sales In a nondescript Seattle building, with a strip-mall Starbucks across the street, dozens of marijuana plants sway under electric fans in 79.5-degree warmth, their limbering, strength-building version of hot yoga. In Washington’s marijuana policy hothouse, where views are balkanized, pot advocates are divided about what – if anything – needs to be done about medical weed.

DrugSense