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2003 Seattle Election Information Primary Election Voters' Guide Initiative 75 - Marijuana Law Enforcement Video Voters' Guide Statement For Click Here to View the You will need Statement For I-75, supported by the League of Women Voters, establishes more sensible law enforcement priorities for Seattle. A YES vote will make resources available to protect our homes, streets and neighborhoods. By making marijuana intended for adult personal use the lowest law enforcement priority in Seattle, I-75 saves scarce public resources. I-75 frees our police and prosecutors — who are already overworked and deserve our strong support — to concentrate on protecting us against serious and violent crime. I-75 also protects the rights of medical marijuana users. In 1998, Seattle voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to protect people whose physicians recommend medicinal marijuana to treat certain serious illnesses. Yet, medical marijuana patients are still in danger of arrest, prosecution and forfeiture of their homes and other property — even though they use marijuana to treat symptoms of cancer, multiple sclerosis and AIDS. I-75 helps protect all medical marijuana patients who suffer from life threatening illnesses. As you decide on I-75, please ask yourself: •Shouldn't our police be allowed to focus on protecting us against serious and violent crime? And shouldn't our limited and expensive jail space be reserved for real criminals who commit serious or violent crimes? If you agree, vote YES on I-75. •Shouldn't we protect vulnerable and seriously ill medical marijuana patients from the harm of arrest, prosecution and seizure of their homes and property? If you agree, vote YES on I-75. •Shouldn't we use our scarce tax dollars for more important public needs than going after adults who possess only for their personal use? If you agree, vote YES on I-75. Please join us, Seattle's medical marijuana patients, the League of Women Voters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, prominent members of the Seattle Bar, and many others, in voting YES on I-75. Nick Licata, City Councilmember Statement prepared by: Rebuttal to Statement For We respectfully disagree with those in support of I-75. * I-75 is unnecessary. I-75 is a solution in search of a problem. SPD and the City Attorney do not go out of their way to prosecute marijuana cases. Over the last five years the number of marijuana prosecutions has averaged approximately 1% of the cases filed by the City Attorney. * I-75 does nothing to protect users of medical marijuana already protected by Washington law. It's a symbolic gesture that could tie the hands of SPD and City Attorney in providing for public safety. We should not give legal cover to drug dealers growing, delivering or selling large quantities of drugs. * I-75 will cost taxpayers money. It will be expensive to establish an eleven-member commission, and time-consuming to force new paperwork demands on already over-burdened police officers. Make the sensible choice and vote no on I-75. Rebuttal prepared by: Statements Prepared by: Thomas Carr, Seattle City Attorney (206)684-8200 |
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