Petitions are out there for marijuana initiative

Proponents of Initiative 1068 formally launched their signature-gathering effort in Seattle today.

Sensible Washington, the group campaigning for the measure, must come up with 241,153 valid signatures of registered voters by July 2.

“That’s a huge mountain to climb, especially since we’re a grassroots, volunteer effort,” said Philip Dawdy, campaign director and an initiative co-author. “But the enthusiasm among the people for marijuana legal reform is so great that we believe we truly have a fighting chance to make history.”

If you don’t read the whole initiative, this measure, if passed, would, according to the ballot summary:

“remove state civil and criminal penalties for persons eighteen years or older who cultivate, possess, transport, sell, or use marijuana. Marijuana would no longer be defined as a “controlled substance.” Civil and criminal penalties relating to drug paraphernalia and provisions authorizing seizure or forfeiture of property would not apply to marijuana-related offenses committed by persons eighteen years or older. The measure would retain current restrictions and penalties applicable to persons under eighteen.”