An initiative to legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana in Washington state has qualified to be considered by the Legislature.
Secretary of State Sam Reed’s office on Friday certified Initiative 502 to the Legislature as sponsors submitted enough signatures to assure consideration by lawmakers and, failing success there, a statewide vote on the general election ballot.
A signature-check by the State Elections Division, using a random sample, determined that sponsors had nearly 278,000 valid signatures, well in excess of the some 241,000 required.
Former U.S. Attorney John McKay is among the sponsors of I-502, which would legalize the sale of marijuana to adults 21 and older.
The Legislature can pass the measure as submitted, reject it and let it go to the ballot this fall, ignore it and let it go the ballot, or let it go to the ballot along with a legislative alternative.
It has been seven years since Initiatives to the Legislature were on the state ballot. I-330 and I-336, both dealing with medical malpractice, were rejected by voters.
2004 marked the last successful initiative to the Legislature, I-297, which dealt with nuclear waste.
