cannabisnews.com: Pot Measure Backed By Money, Political Support Pot Measure Backed By Money, Political Support Posted by CN Staff on September 16, 2003 at 21:54:52 PT By Sam Skolnik, Seattle P-I Reporter Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle voters were asked to send a message to local police and prosecutors: Don't go after pot smokers. While Initiative 75 wouldn't actually legalize marijuana possession, it would make the city stand out nationally for its liberal attitude on the topic. I-75 would require the Seattle Police Department and the City Attorney's Office to make small-scale marijuana possession, when intended for adult personal use, their "lowest law-enforcement priority." Early absentee results Tuesday night showed the measure with a slight lead.An informal survey of voters at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in lower Queen Anne found fervent support for the measure."If anything, marijuana should be legal and alcohol illegal," said Shelley Mangini, a 30-year-old waitress and bartender. "You just don't get aggressive when you smoke pot. I think that (the measure) is going to move us in the right direction."The King County Bar Association, the League of Women Voters of Seattle and the American Civil Liberties Union have lined up in favor of the measure, against a constellation of top city and county law enforcers.The Sensible Seattle Coalition, which sponsored I-75, raised just over $150,000 and sent out three voter mailings to more than 70,000 Seattle residents, according to Dominic Holden, city elections filings and campaign chairman. No organized citizens group formed to oppose the measure. Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/blasts75.htmSource: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)Author: Sam Skolnik, Seattle P-I ReporterPublished: Wednesday, September 17, 2003Copyright: 2003 Seattle Post-IntelligencerContact: editpage seattle-pi.comWebsite: http://www.seattle-pi.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Sensible Seattle Coalition http://www.sensibleseattle.org/Nation's Drug Czar Blasts City's Initiative http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/blasts.htm I-75: a Dopey Idea - Seattle Timeshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17252.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by kaptinemo on September 17, 2003 at 08:57:33 PT: Never underestimate the power of symbols After all, that's what language is, right? Symbols?Certain symbols in language convey meaning beyond the basic understanding. The Flag, for example. I use the capitalization because it gets across how I feel about it. Most people pick up on that right away. This latest, albeit minor, coup of ours is another symbol full of meaning. It's a lot more than just what's written about it; it's also something else.A message.Realizing that outright defiance of the stupid cannabis laws is impossible with the present regime hopping around on one foot so as to keep the other jackboot elevated to stomp any move towards legalization, the voting public has sent as gentle a reminder as possible as to WHO HOLDS THE LOCAL POLICE'S PURSE STRINGS.Dan B is right: This is as close to Dutch style civic activism as can be 'gotten away with' right now. But it is a step in the right direction - *and the antis were caught napping!*They've gotten sloppy with their thinking: they thought all they had to do was have Johnny Pee show up and everyone would go back to being good little sheep, nod their heads, repeat slogans and go back to chewing cud again. They didn't bother to put up a fight. They automatically assumed victory. JUST LIKE HIS BUDDIES ASSUMED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. Pride goes before the fall, and they are plenty proud. But look what happend: *they got trounced in the voting booth, as they have been getting of late.*The tide has gone out for the antis. Ol' Johnny Pee even went so far as to insincerely offer to debate. That was a sign of weakness, not strength, because before he wouldn't even mention the word. That was a tactical mistake they will regret. Tyranny and Freedom are in a race, neck and neck, in this country, and today, Freedom moved a tiny, tiny bit ahead. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Prime on September 17, 2003 at 07:19:53 PT Dan B... I agree for the most part.Its just that the initiative doesnt really "do" anything.As an ex-cop I can tell you... there is no priority list. The law is the law, if someone breaks it and a cop feels like arresting them, they are going to jail.IMO this initiative is only symbolic. Not that that is a bad thing, its just not going to keep anybody out of jail. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Dan B on September 17, 2003 at 01:49:22 PT Prime Well, it may seem silly, but it basically does for Seattle what the same kind of prioritization did for Amsterdam. In the Netherlands, cannabis is still illegal; it is just that it has been made the lowest priority so the police there ignore it. At least, that is how I understand the argument from the Netherlands. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I have been wrong once before.(That "once" was a joke, in case anyone thought I was serious)Anyway--hooray! It passed by 17%!Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 16, 2003 at 22:15:45 PT Thanks Treeanna! Very good news! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Treeanna on September 16, 2003 at 22:08:25 PT Off topic, but more likely to be seen here I contacted norml about Tommy Chong's prison address.They responded that they will be getting that from his wife shortly, and when they do, will be posting it on a link on thier website.I will post it here as soon as it becomes available. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Prime on September 16, 2003 at 22:03:16 PT What kind of message does this send the children? Yes 57, No 42.Looks like it'll win. Its a silly little initiative, but it does show public sentiment.This plus Canada, Alaska, and the UK are really positive events! Go team! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 16, 2003 at 21:57:09 PT So Far So Good! City Of Seattle Initiative No. 75 Marijuana Offenses Yes -- 23191 -- 55.68% No -- 18456 -- 44.32% http://www.metrokc.gov/elections/2003sep/respage9.htm [ Post Comment ] Post Comment