2012 State Ballot Marijuana Legalization/Regulation Initiatives

[ThisIsTheOne]

Hey, I decided to create a thread detailing the marijuana legalization initiatives in America. I'll try to keep the thread updated as much as possible. If you have something you want to have added to the OP, or have found a mistake, PM me. There are still some initiatives I haven't added yet. After that, I'm thinking of expanding this to cover local Marijuana and other drug law initiatives. For those of you that live in these states, hopefully you can get involved.

State Legalization initiatives:

[B]California - Regulate marijuana like wine.[/B]

[B]Links:[/B]
[URL]http://regulatemarijuanalikewine.com/[/URL]
[B]What it will do[/B]: There would be no limit on amount of pot that can be legally possessed for those 21+. It allows up to 12 plants for growing indoors. The initiative "Prevents California from supporting federal enforcements that conflict with this law and requires the State to petition the Feds to remove marijuana from Schedule One". Also legalizes industrial hemp.
[B]Amount of signatures:[/B] Reached their target of 10,000 signatures in the first two weeks of collection. (November 14, 2011)
[B]Needs: [/B]504,760 signatures by 150 days after October 31 2012 (The group is aiming for 800,000)
[B]Comments:[/B] In my opinion, the most impressive initiative wording. Very early days yet, but I believe it should get some significant funding.
[B]News/opinions/polls: [/B][URL]http://regulatemarijuanalikewine.com/regulate-marijuana-like-wine-campaign-collects-over-10000-signatures-in-first-two-weeks/[/URL] - Over 10,000 Signatures collected in first two weeks, very positive voter attitudes.
[URL]http://www.cannabispolicyreform.org/[/URL][B]
[url]http://regulatemarijuanalikewine.com/polling-shows-62-support-for-regulating-marijuana-like-wine/[/url] "62% support treating pot like alcohol" (not related to specific initiative)

Colorado - Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol.
[/B]
[B]Links:[/B]
[URL]http://www.regulatemarijuana.org/[/URL]
[URL]http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Colorado_Marijuana_Legalization_Initiative_(2012)[/URL]
[B]What it will do[/B]: Legalizes one ounce worth of cannabis, and allows growing 6 plants (indoors only I think)
[B]Amount of signatures:[/B]
110,000 as of 9th November.
130,000 as of 29th November
150,000 as of 18th December
[B]Needs:[/B] 85,000 valid signatures by Jan 6 2012 (They are aiming for 145,000 signatures)
[B]Comments:
[/B]I haven't read about the wording of the initiative, but I haven't heard anything wrong with it (unlike Prop 19) this is looking like it will definitely make the ballot, keep in mind the amount of signatures collected will not be all valid.
[B]News/opinions/polls:
[/B][URL]http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/08/colorado-miscellaneous.html[/URL] - Support for Legalization at 51% compared to 38% opposed. (not related to specific initiative) (August 11 2011)
[URL]http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/colorado/49_in_colorado_favor_legalizing_and_taxing_marijuana[/URL] - "49% in Colorado favour legalizing and taxing cannabis" (May 15 2010)
[URL]http://justsaynow.firedoglake.com/2011/09/15/aclu-of-colorado-joins-marijuana-legalization-ballot-initiative-campaign/[/URL] "Colorado ACLU supports marijuana ballot initiative campaign"
[url]http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_CO_12091205.pdf[/url] - "49% in Colorado favour legalizing cannabis, 40% against" (December 9 2011)
[url]http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20111218/NEWS/111219833/1078&ParentProfile=1055[/url] - "Colorado pot legalization petition nearing end"

[B]Missouri:[/B]

[B]Links: [/B][URL]http://www.showmecannabis.org/[/URL]
[B]What it will do[/B]:"Cannabis will be removed from the Missouri Revised Statutes list of controlled substances and shall no longer be listed among Missouri’s drug schedules." Legalizes the cultivation of up to 100 square feet of marijuana for personal use. No limit on amount that can be possessed, also creates a MMJ system in Missouri.
[B]Amount of signatures:[/B] no information yet - new initiative.
[B]Need:[/B] 146,907 signatures (amendments) or 91,818 signatures (statutes) by May 6, 2012.
[B]Comments: [/B]Backed by NORML, two similar initiatives by the same group are being circulated, one for a constitutional amendment which needs more signatures, and a statutory amendment which needs less. Way too early to tell whether or not it'll get enough signatures.
[B]News/opinions/polls:
[/B][URL]http://blog.norml.org/2011/11/16/show-me-cannabis-legalization/[/URL]

[B]Oregon - Cannabis tax act[/B]

[B]Links:[/B]
[URL]http://www.cannabistaxact.org/[/URL]
[URL]http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Oregon_Cannabis_Tax_Act_Initiative_(2012)[/URL]
[B]What it will do[/B]: "Regulate the legal sale of marijuana to adults through state-licensed stores, allow adults to grow their own, license Oregon farmers to grow marijuana for state-licensed stores and allow unlicensed Oregon farmers to grow cannabis hemp for fuel, fiber and food."
[B]Amount of signatures: [/B]35022 as of October 18
[B]Needs:[/B] 87,213 valid signatures by July 6 2012
[B]Comments: [/B]One of the more liberal initiatives, a similar initiative failed to make the 2010 ballot from the same people, I'm not really sure at the moment whether or not this one will make the ballot.
[B]News/opinions/polls: [/B]

[B]Washington - New approach Washington - I502[/B]

[B]Links:
[/B][URL]http://www.newapproachwa.org/[/URL]
[URL]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Initiative_502_(2011)[/URL]
[B]What it will do[/B]: Legalizes an ounce worth of dried cannabis. Cannabis would be regulated by same board that regulates alcohol, unlicensed growing is still prohibited.
[B]Amount of signatures: [/B]
180,000 as of November 2
340,000 as of December 21
[B]Needs:[/B] 241,153 valid signatures by December 30 2011 (Aiming for 320,000)
[B]Comments:[/B] I'm going to say this one will make the ballot, they have recieved a lot of money lately from donations, so I'll think they'll pull it off. However the wording of the initiative is based much more around popular opinion than the others, making it less liberal. It implements a blood THC limit for driving which has come under scrutiny from medical marijuana activists. I personally think they shouldn't have put it in, but at the same time, in at least one state with medical marijuana, there is a law for making driving with ANY THC in your blood illegal, but no medical marijuana patients have been prosecuted under it, so I think this initiative still should be voted for.
[B]News/opinions/polls:
[/B][URL]http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Ex-head-of-Seattle-FBI-Office-backs-pot-2268411.php[/URL] - "Ex head of Seattle FBI Office backs pot legalization initiative"
[URL]http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016692172_marijuana05m.html[/URL] - "Pro-pot campaign gets big names, deep pockets"
[URL]http://justsaynow.firedoglake.com/2011/09/19/washington-state-democratic-central-committee-endorses-marijuana-legalization-initiative/[/URL] "Washington state democrats endorse I502"
[url]http://makupfront.tumblr.com/post/13219159166/king-5-poll-the-key-support-for-legalizing-marijuana[/url] 57% support, 39% oppose measure
[url]http://today.seattletimes.com/2011/12/marijuana-legalization-initiative-to-turn-signatures-next-week/[/url] "Marijuana legalization initiative to turn (340,000) signatures next week"

[B]Washington - Sensible Washington -[/B][B]Campaign starts in 2012!
[/B]
[B]Links:
[/B][URL]https://sensiblewashington.org/[/URL]
[B]Comments: [/B]This group has failed to put initaitives on the ballot for legalization in 2010, and 2011. They are attempting again for 2012, especially as they are against the THC blood level driving law included in NAW's initiative. Their initiative will be less strict in regulation than NAW's.
[B]News/opinions/polls:[/B]
[B]

State Decriminalization[/B][B] initiatives:
[/B]
These are the initiatives which decriminalize - not legalize (or regulate) cannabis.
[B]
California - Reduced Marijuana Penalties - I1518
[/B][B]Links: [/B][URL]http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California_Reduced_Marijuana_Penalties_Initiative_(2012)[/URL]
[B]What it will do[/B][B]:[/B] Reduces pentalties for possession, cultivation, sale, or transportation of up to two ounces of marijuana to $250, or community service.
[B]Amount of signatures:[/B] no information yet - new initiative.
[B]Need:[/B] 504,760 valid signatures by April 5, 2012
[B]Comments: [/B]Being a strictly decriminalization measure in California, if it makes the ballot it should pass easily. Marijuana is already decriminalized in California, but this eases the laws even more.

[B]State Medical Marijuana[/B][B] Initiatives:
[/B]

[B]Arkansas - Arkansans for compassionate care
[/B][B]Links: [/B][URL]http://www.ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Arkansas_Medical_Marijuana_Question_(2012)[/URL]
[url]http://arcompassion.org/[/url]
[B]Amount of signatures:[/B] "Under 20,000 signatures" as of November 2011
[B]Need:[/B] 62,507 Signatures by July 6 2012

[B]Florida - People united for medical marijuana.
[/B][B]Links:[/B] [URL]http://www.pufmm.org/[/URL]
[B]What it will do[/B][B]:[/B] Allows medical marijuana to be prescribed to seriously, and terminally ill patients.
[B]Amount of signatures:[/B] 29,922 (valid signatures) as of 29th of October
[B]Need: [/B] 676,811 valid signatures by February 1 2012
[B]Comments: [/B] There is a similar bill in both chambers of the Florida Legislature, that if passed will put in on the 2012 ballot to be voted on.
[B]News/opinions/polls:[/B] [url]http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/11/medical_marijuana_florida_senate.php[/url] - MMJ resolution now in both chambers of Florida legislature

[B]Massachusetts - Massachusetts Medical Marijuana initiative
[/B][B]Links: [/B][URL]http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Massachusetts_Medical_Marijuana_Initiative_(2012)[/URL]
[B]Need:[/B] 68,911 Signatures by December 7 2011

[B]Montana - IR-124[/B]
[B]Links: [/B][URL]http://www.patients4reform.org/[/URL]
[B]What it will do[/B][B]: [/B]Loosens Montana's MMJ laws
[B]Amount of signatures:[/B] 35,839
[B]Need: [/B]24,337 signatures
[B]Comments: [/B]Definitely will make the ballot.

[B]Ohio - Ohio Medical Cannabis Act
[/B][B]Links:[/B] [URL]http://www.omca2012.org/[/URL]
[B]What it will do[/B][B]:[/B] "Creates the Ohio Commission of Cannabis Control, which shall license, regulate and control medical Cannabis in Ohio"
[B]Amount of signatures:[/B] no information yet
[B]Need: [/B]385,000 valid signatures by July 4 2012

[Inzalonus]

you mother fuckers in the USA better get this shit legalized before I turn 30 or I will honestly lose all hope in humanity

[Shiftyze]

Oh yay Oregon is in the list, home state.

[/B/rother]

give it like five to ten years, and it will be legal in most of the world.

[editline]23rd November 2011[/editline]

[sp]hope[/sp]

[tittles650]

I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA THIS IS BULLSHIT,JUST LEAVE THE PLANT ALONE AND GET THE LAW OFF OUR BACKS!

[WulfMane]

Come the fuck on, Alabama.

[Chicken_Chaser]

Oklahoma will be last.

[Dougz]

Let's go california

[Cpn Crunch21]

with the economic turmoil, war, and other political shit i doubt they are going to pay attention to legalization for some time. Its just not that important to them and they rather die than admit they are wrong about marijuana. It would me great, but i dont see it happening any time soon (at least 8-10 years).

this is about the federal level, state level may just happen sooner than we think. (depending on where you live of course)

[kizza55]

Fingers crossed on this y'all, I don't want to be too old by the time the legalization wave finally hits the UK!

[zach1193]

Anything for New York, we're kind of a money hungry state... haha

[soccerskyman]

Illinois: Still not giving a shit.

[Mac2468]

[QUOTE=soccerskyman;33411911]Iowa: Still not giving a shit.[/QUOTE]

[Meader]

Maine: Ahead of all you slow-movers.

[Mac2468]

Mac2468: Jealous of those of you in nicer states.

[dr.bean]

[QUOTE=Dougz;33407403]Let's go california[/QUOTE]

I'll be moving there

[Scoooby]

Where the fuck is Florida's initiative?! >:(
I wish weed was legalized at the federal level, so we didn't have to watch all the states fuck around as only some make progress.
& I know Rick Scott (Florida's governor) is too busy fucking up things, instead of doing anything.

[brianosaur]

You forgot Florida... and a ton of other states..

[ThisIsTheOne]

[QUOTE=brianosaur;33420791]You forgot Florida... and a ton of other states..[/QUOTE]

It seems Florida has an initiative by the people, and another one that is in both chambers of the Legislature, that if passed will put medical marijuana on the 2012 ballot. I added the Florida MMJ in the OP. I'll have a look for more now. If you can tell me the other states you know of that have such initiatives I'll do the rest, thanks heaps.

[editline]25th November 2011[/editline]

[QUOTE=Shiftyze;33400350]Oh yay Oregon is in the list, home state.[/QUOTE]

Print some of these bad boys off: [url]http://www.cannabistaxact.org/downloads/octa2012-single-signature-sheet.pdf[/url] and get some signatures!

[editline]25th November 2011[/editline]

[QUOTE=tittles650;33402951]I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA THIS IS BULLSHIT,JUST LEAVE THE PLANT ALONE AND GET THE LAW OFF OUR BACKS![/QUOTE]

Go on their site and get some petitions ;)

[pimptastix]

hey, i was just wondering. What happens to the people who are currently in trouble, or were in trouble for weed possession.

[SilverHammer]

[QUOTE=pimptastix;33422700]hey, i was just wondering. What happens to the people who are currently in trouble, or were in trouble for weed possession.[/QUOTE]

Depends on the state you live in..

[Mac2468]

[QUOTE=pimptastix;33422700]hey, i was just wondering. What happens to the people who are currently in trouble, or were in trouble for weed possession.[/QUOTE]

they send you to court to determine your charges
im in the middle of that right now

[ThisIsTheOne]

[QUOTE=pimptastix;33422700]hey, i was just wondering. What happens to the people who are currently in trouble, or were in trouble for weed possession.[/QUOTE]

Do you mean if one of these laws passes in your state? I think it depends on the actual wording of the initiative itself.

[The First 11'er]

fuck yes washington, i just went to walmart and they had a petition thing

[Meader]

[url]http://news.yahoo.com/wash-governor-wants-dea-reclassify-marijuana-020305152.html[/url]

[editline]1st December 2011[/editline]

[quote] Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee have filed a petition with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration asking the agency to reclassify marijuana so doctors can prescribe it and pharmacists can fill the prescription.
The governors said Wednesday they want the federal government to list marijuana as a Schedule 2 drug, allowing it to be used for medical treatment. Marijuana is currently classified a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it's not accepted for medical treatment and can't be prescribed, administered or dispensed.[/quote]

[quote]"That is the change we really need," Fox said in a news release. "These governors should be insisting that the federal government allow them to run their medical marijuana operations the ways they see fit, which in these cases includes allowing regulated distribution centers to provide patients with safe access to their medicine and not force them to turn to illicit dealers."[/quote]

[quote]There is currently an effort in Washington state to decriminalize and tax recreational marijuana sales for adults. Initiative 502, which has been endorsed by two former Seattle U.S. attorneys and the former head of the FBI in Washington state, would create a system of state-licensed growers, processors and stores, and would impose a 25 percent excise tax at each stage. Adults 21 and over could buy up to an ounce of dried marijuana; one pound of marijuana-infused product in solid form, such as brownies; or 72 ounces of marijuana-infused liquids. It would be illegal to drive with more than 5 nanograms of THC, the active ingredient of cannabis, per milliliter of blood.
Sponsors need to collect more than 240,000 valid signatures by Dec. 30 to place the measure before the Legislature early next year. If the Legislature doesn't take up the issue, it automatically goes to the November ballot.[/quote]

[editline]1st December 2011[/editline]

Oh, this is in the OP... I'm high.

[counterpo0]

[QUOTE=/B/rother;33402346]give it like five to ten years, and it will be legal in most of the world.

[editline]23rd November 2011[/editline]

[sp]hope[/sp][/QUOTE]
[media] [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K66gw3KFGaA[/url][/media]

[/B/rother]

i really should watch that movie.

[SuPeR_MaN]

[QUOTE=Cpn Crunch21;33407791]with the economic turmoil, war, and other political shit i doubt they are going to pay attention to legalization for some time. Its just not that important to them and [b] they rather die than admit they are wrong about marijuana.[/b] It would me great, but i dont see it happening any time soon (at least 8-10 years).

this is about the federal level, state level may just happen sooner than we think. (depending on where you live of course)[/QUOTE]

Don't worry they will eventually.

[Lick]

Hey come on MA. It'd be so great to have dispensaries here

[ThisIsTheOne]

[B]Update:[/B]The "Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol" From Colorado has reached 150,000 signatures, passing their goal of 145,000 signatures. Only 85,000 legit signatures are needed by Jan 6 so it definitely should be on the Colorado ballot in 2012.

The "New approach Washington" campaign is asking for any signatures for I-502 to be sent in the mail no later than the 19th December to

New Approach Washington
1914 N. 34th St.
Suite 409
Seattle, WA 98103