Gay marriage and pot initiatives have strong support in Wash.
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A new poll shows two ballot measures that would legalize gay marriage and allow marijuana possession both enjoy strong support among likely voters in Washington.
According to the Survey USA poll, 56 percent of the Washington voters polled support a measure that would allow same-sex couples to get married. Just 38 percent of respondents are against it and nine percent are undecided.
When asked about an initiative that would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution and production, 57 percent of people polled said they support the plan. 34 percent said they were against it and nine percent are not sure.
Both polls were conducted by Survey USA for KATU News. They both have a margin of error of +/- 4.3 percent.
The gay marriage referendum enjoys strong support among Democrats and independents, according to the poll. Only 25 percent of Republicans polled said they support the gay marriage law.
The marijuana initiative enjoys more support among Republicans with 35 percent in favor. It is also strong among Democrats.
Supporters of the gay marriage law in Washington have spent large amounts of money during the campaign. The group lobbying for the bill has raised more than $6 million, while as of late August a prominent group against the law had raised less than $500,000.
Referendum 74 asks voters to either approve or reject the law passed earlier this year that allows same-sex marriage in the state. That law is on hold pending the November vote.
The marijuana initiative, I-502, would legalize pot under state law and allow its sale at state-licensed stores, with tax proceeds dedicated to education, health care and substance abuse prevention. Oregon and Colorado voters will also decide on marijuana legalization measures this fall.
Marijuana would remain illegal under federal law, however, and it isn't clear how the federal government would respond if any of the states voted to legalize it. The Justice Department could prosecute employees of state-licensed pot shops, sue in federal court to block the laws from taking effect, or simply seize the tax revenue from the states as proceeds of transactions that are illegal under federal law.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Ending prohibition would greatly reduce, even almost eliminate, the market in illegal narcotics, cause a reduction in the number of users and addicts, greatly curtail drug related illness and deaths, reduce societal harm from problematic abusers, and bring about an enormous reduction in the presence and influence of organized crime. The people who use drugs are our own children, our brothers, our sisters, our parents, and our neighbors. By allowing all adults safe and controlled legal access to psychoactive substances, we will not only greatly reduce the dangers for both them and ourselves but also greatly minimize the possibility of 'peer-initiation' and sales to minors.
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If you sincerely believe that prohibition is a dangerous and counter-productive policy then you can stop helping to enforce it. You are entitledârequired evenâto act according to your conscience!Â
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* It only takes one juror to prevent a guilty verdict.Â
* You are not lawfully required to disclose your voting intention before taking your seat on a jury.
* You are also not required to give a reason to the other jurors on your position when voting. Simply state that you find the accused not guilty!
* Jurors must understand that it is their opinion, their vote. If the Judge and the other jurors disapprove, too bad. There is no punishment for having a dissenting opinion.
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âIt is not only [the juror's] right, but his duty ⦠to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, though in direct opposition to the direction of the court.â âJohn Adams
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We must create what we can no longer afford to wait for: PLEASE VOTE TO ACQUIT!Â
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