Sensible Spokane Alliance

U.S. Attorney: Only flagrant pot shops targeted

by Gene Johnson, Associated Press

Seattle City Councilman Tim Burgess, a former police officer and chairman of the Council's Public Safety committee, said the federal action would not deter city officials from continuing to license medical pot shops and explore ways to implement zoning rules for them.

"We're taking cautious steps to bring more clarity and make sure there's proper regulation and control. The federal authorities made it very clear that these individuals who were the target of the federal investigation were operating well outside the medical provisions that were in place," he said.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016783876_apwamedicalmarijuanasearches2ndldwritethru.html

Wash. Governor wants DEA to reclassify marijuana

by Rachel La Corte, Associated Press

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.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2016900553_apusmedicalmarijuana.html

Fed med marijuana crack down may come to Colorado

by P. Solomon Banda, Associated Press

KCNC-TV reported Tuesday (http://cbsloc.al/tQ3DBq) that the crackdown would target dispensaries and cultivations located near schools, with those businesses receiving letters to end operations within 45 days or face prosecution.

"Colorado has been a model for how a state should regulate medical marijuana," said Brian Vicente of Sensible Colorado, a medical marijuana advocacy group. "Our system has worked and Colorado should be allowed to continue to do so."

 http://www.denverpost.com/ci_19548056?IADID=Search-www.denverpost.com-www.denverpost.com

Federal interference in state medical marijuana laws is a low priority, Attorney General affirms

by Lisa Graves, Huffington Post

"It's my understanding," Polis said, "[California] did not have a functional state-level regulatory authority. Colorado does have an extensive state regulatory and licensing system for medical marijuana, and I'd like to ask whether our thoughtful state regulation ... provides any additional protection to Colorado from federal intervention."

Holder's response, though vague, offered Polis some assurance, while seeming to suggest that state-level regulation in California is inadequate.

"Where a state has taken a position, has passed a law and people are acting in conformity with the law -- not abusing the law -- that would not be a priority with the limited resources of our Justice Department," Holder said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/08/medical-marijuana-federal-interference_n_1137745.html

I-3 Official 11x17 Petition (front and back)

Petitions must be printed front and back on a single, 11"x17" sheet of paper only and returned to CSS by July 5, 2011.

Signatures may be collected from registered voters residing with-in city limits only.

Click on the link below to view a .pdf list of pre-approved, high traffic petitioning sites for both I-3 and I-1149. 

We have also provided instructions and contact information for each of these sites. Please read and follow accordingly.

Pre-approved, High Traffic petitioning site list

It's up to the people

As a matter of expediency, CSS has decided to forgo the formalities of the 'Optional Filing' method (SMC 02.02.030) and have resubmitted our initiative under the 'direct' method, allowing for volunteers to begin petitioning immediately.  As a result, the council hearing set for Monday, April 18th has been cancelled on our behalf. 

Having undergone the same process in 2009, we have already cleared most of these hurdles.  Furthermore, historically, the Spokane City Council has never passed a citizens' initiative as proposed and a few key councilpersons have made it clear that this council has no intention of doing so.  The basic sentiment I've gotten from the council is, "come back when you have signatures."  So, that's what we'll do.  

Our petition has been designated as Initiative 2011-3 or I-3 by the city clerk and petitions will begin circulating today.  Look for them around town and be sure to sign it if you are a city resident, even if you've already signed I-1149. 

You can also stop by the downtown library (meeting rooms 1A &1B) between 10am-5pm to sign and/or pick up the local initiative to regulate marijuana and make adult marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority within city limits. 

Or call (509)703-0709 or e-mail ianm@sdpdirect.org for more information.

Stay tuned for more information and events.

Show up early to sign up to speak (5:45).  You can leave and come back if the meeting runs long. 

Pres. Shogan runs a tight meeting. 'Testimony' will be limited to requesting that the council chose one of the following options.

As per SMC 02.02.040 the council has three options:

1) Pass the measure as proposed

2) Submit the initiative measure to the voters on its own motion

3) approve a ballot title and summary of the measure (allowing for petitioning to begin)

Any speaking which deviates from any of the three options before the council will be interupted by the president.

So no one plan any big speeches. Simply, 'I request that the council pass this measure as proposed in order to protect local patients and providers.' Or ' I request that the council approve of the ballot summary and title of the measure so that we may begin collecting signatures.'

 If people would like to discuss the state of mj in Spokane in general, we ask that they sign up to speak during open forum on Monday the 11th (or any other Monday for that matter). 

Thanks,

Sensible Spokane

WHO: Concerned Citizens, cannbis patients, providers, and acitivists. 

WHEN: April 18, 2011 6:00 (arrive early to sign up to speak, could run as late as 11:00pm)

WHERE:Spokane City Hall - Council Chambers

808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Spokane, WA

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Created By Citizens for a Sensible Spokane

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WHAT: legislative hearing regarding the filing of a local citizens initiative to license, tax and regulate marijuana and make adult marijuana offenses the city's lowest law enforcement priority.

We are seeking approval of the ballot title and summary of the initiative, as prepared by the city attorney's office, from the city council. Allowing us to begin collecting just under 3000 signatures by July 8th to place a measure on t...he November 2011 ballot.

As per SMC 02.02.040 the council has three options:

1) Pass the measure as proposed

2) Submit the initiative measure to the voters on its own motion

3) approve a ballot title and summary of the measure (allowing for petitioning to begin)

In light of recent action on behalf of the DA against dispensary owners and landlords, we will be encouraging the council to 'pass the measure as proposed' and ask that all concerned citizens sign up to speak in support of this option. If the council does not pass the measure as proposed, we are ready to begin petitioning immediately following the meeting.

Contact:

Ian Moody

ianm@sdpdirect.org

(509)703-0709