Initiative 502 Overview

Alix Warren, CCHHS InternAugust 20, 2013

I-502 in Washington State…1

• Legalizes marijuana use for adults 21 and over• In private residences• No public use

• Creates licensing regulations for marijuana producers, processers, and retailers through the WA State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB)

• Requires marijuana licensees to be at least 1000 ft. away from certain areas including schools, parks, and playgrounds

• Establishes a new marijuana DUI standard• Taxes marijuana 25% at each transition point• Dedicates a portion of the tax revenue to substance-abuse

prevention and education• Licensing effective December 2013

Official Timeline of I-5022

• Nov. 6, 2012: WA voters pass Initiative 502• July 3, 2013: WSLCB files initial draft rules• Aug. 6-8, 2013: Public hearings on draft rules• Sept. 4, 2013: Re-file proposed rules• Oct. 9, 2013: Public hearing on new proposed rules• Oct. 16, 2013: Official rules adopted • Nov. 16, 2013: Effective dates of rules• Nov. 18-Dec. 18, 2013: License applications will be accepted• Dec. 1, 2013: Begin issuing licenses

Possible I-502 Ramifications• Through a retail setting, marijuana may be more easily

accessible for all • Tax revenue implications• Zoning changes

I-502 Tax Revenue1 • Disbursed every three months

• Revenue breakdown:• Department of Social and Health Services: $175,000 (HYS,

research, and evaluation)

• UW Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute: $5,000 (marijuana health and safety information)

• WA Liquor Control Board: ≤$1,250,000 (administration of I-502)

I-502 Tax Revenue1

Additional funds:• Department of Social and Health Services Division of Behavioral

Health and Recovery: 15% (substance abuse prevention programs in middle/high schools)

• Department of Health: 10% (marijuana education and public health program)

• UW and WSU: 1% (total) (effects of marijuana research)

• State basic health plan trust account: 50%

• Washington State health care authority: 5%

• General fund

What are other local counties/cities doing?

• Moratoriums• Zoning regulations• Task force creation• Wait and see approach

Moratorium Example

City of Olympia: One year moratorium3

• Bans land and building owners from using properties for the sale, use, growing, distribution or processing of marijuana.

• Bans approval of any permit applications for collective gardens or any establishment involved in the sale, use, growing, manufacture or processing of marijuana.

• Prevents existing marijuana gardens from opening connected establishments such as performance spaces, private clubs, night clubs, taverns or similar establishments.

Zoning Example Highlights

City of Redmond:4

• The production, processing, and retailing of marijuana is and remains illegal under federal law

• The production, processing, and retailing of marijuana is prohibited in all zoning districts of the city

• Upon the issuance of permanent regulations by the state liquor control board…, the City planning staff shall expeditiously prepare draft zoning regulations

Use and Side Effects

• Average potency: 244% greater than in the 1980’s5

• Diminished motivation6

• Increased risk for developing psychosis (if already genetically predisposed)6

• Increased susceptibility to chest colds, coughs, and bronchitis if inhaled6

• Possible fertility implications6,7

• Drop in IQ level8

National StrategiesNational Prevention

Council9

• Create environments that empower young people not to drink or use other drugs

• Educate youth and adults about the risks of drug abuse and excessive drinking

• Work with media outlets and retailers to reduce alcohol marketing to youth

Centers for Disease Control10

• Conduct mass media education campaigns

• Implement school-based programs as part of comprehensive plan

Suggestions• Establish a multi-disciplinary county work group• Possibly include representatives from:

• Health and Human Services Departments• Law enforcement• Building and Planning• School districts • Sheriff’s office and Juvenile• Prosecuting Attorney’s office

• Possible discussion topics:• Zoning considerations• Substance abuse prevention in schools• Process for communicating with WSLCB• Methods to reduce youth access• Marketing strategies for education and awareness

Citations1. (2011). Initiative Measure No. 502. Retrieved from http://www.liq.wa.gov/publications/Marijuana/I-502/i502.pdf2. (2013). I-502 Implementation Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.liq.wa.gov/publications/Marijuana/I-502/2013-06-10-Revised-Timeline.pdf3. Batcheldor, M. (2013, June 26). Opponents of pot moratorium fail to sway Olympia council. The Olympian. Retrieved from http://www.theolympian.com/2013/06/26/2599580/opponents-of-pot-moratorium-fail.html4. (2013, March 3). RZC 21.41 marijuana-related uses. Retrieved from http://zoningplus.com/regs/redmond/codetext.aspx?section=003.025&mode=15.The Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. (2013). Addressing teen marijuana use in our community. Rockville, MD. 6. National Institute on Drug Abuse.(2012). Research report series: Marijuana abuse (NIH Publication Number 12-3859). Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/rrmarijuana.pdf7. Van Vranken, M. (April 2009). Marijuana. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/marijuana.html8. (2013). Marijuana IQ study successfully defended by scientists. Retrieved from http://www.cadca.org/resources/detail/marijuana-iq-study-successfully-defended-scientists9. (2013). Preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use. Retrieved from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/initiatives/prevention/strategy/preventing-abuse.pdf10. Davis, Paul. “Tobacco Lessons for Marijuana Policies and Environmental Systems Interventions”. Youth Marijuana Prevention Symposium, Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention, Federal Way Community Center, Federal Way, WA. 10 July 2013. Conference Presentation.