A second former top federal prosecutor in Seattle has endorsed an effort to legalize and tax marijuana for recreational use in Washington state.
Kate Pflaumer served as U.S. attorney during President Bill Clinton’s administration. In a guest editorial in The Seattle Times on Saturday, she and two former judges endorsed a plan being pushed by a group called New Approach Washington. It calls for legalizing up to an ounce of marijuana, which would be sold and taxed at special stores.
Pflaumer, former King County judge Robert Alsdorf and Seattle city judge Anne Levinson say treated adult marijuana users as criminals is an inappropriate use of government resources.
John McKay, who was U.S. attorney during the administration of President George W. Bush, is a sponsor of the initiative. Advocates need to collect 241,000 signatures by the end of the year to send the measure to the Legislature, which can pass it outright or refer it to a statewide vote in November 2012.
Pflaumer, former King County judge Robert Alsdorf and Seattle city judge Anne Levinson say treated adult marijuana users as criminals is an inappropriate use of government resources.
Initiative Measure No. 502 will replace Washington’s ineffective and unjust marijuana laws with a regulated public health approach that will redirect law enforcement resources to more pressing priorities, generate new tax revenues for critical social services, and take marijuana out of the hands of violent drug cartels.
Download the complete text of the initiative | Where to Sign I-502 | Donate
Portions of this article from The Associated Press
