Howard Wooldridge, a Washington lobbyist, is a former detective and forever Texan on an important mission: trying to persuade the 535 members of Congress to end the federal war on marijuana.

Liberals tend to be an easier sell than conservatives. With liberals, Wooldridge dwells on the grossly racist way the war on drugs has been prosecuted.

"The war on drugs," he tells them, "has been the most immoral policy since slavery and Jim Crow."

Conservatives hear a different argument, but one that Wooldridge holds every bit as dear: "Give it back to the states."

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When deciding what you think about marijuana legalization, it's important to ask, "What's in it for me?"

The most recent Pew Research Center poll shows that a majority of Americans nationwide, 53 percent, now support the legalization of cannabis. I'm actually surprised it's that low, but then again, I'm a marijuana columnist.

But here is the most interesting stat from that poll: Of those surveyed who now support legalization but changed their minds on the issue (40 percent of the 53 percent), the main reason for the shift was self-interest. "The more that people learn about marijuana and look at the benefits of legalization," noted Tom Angell, Chairman of the Marijuana Policy Project, "the more likely they are to support reform."

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Unfortunately, I believe that Washington government has equated the "gangland attitude" of profiteering shown by so many so-called medical cannabis "stores" with all of us, i.e., legitimate medical patients and activists.

I know that most patients, me and others, care so much more about the value of cannabis as medicine rather than profits, but it appears that those who are not following the true spirit of medical cannabis laws have made so many waves, and so much money, that legitimate patients and activists are being ignored once again.

I know many legitimate patients are ignored by those so-called medical cannabis stores unless we can "show them the money." So sad, but true.

Tom Hawkins

Grand Coulee, Wash.

[end]

Howard Wooldridge, a Washington lobbyist, is a former detective and forever Texan on an important mission - trying to persuade the 535 members of Congress to end the federal war on marijuana.

Liberals tend to be an easier sell than conservatives. With liberals, Wooldridge dwells on the grossly racist way the war on drugs has been prosecuted.

"The war on drugs," he tells them, "has been the most immoral policy since slavery and Jim Crow."

Conservatives hear a different argument, but one that Wooldridge holds every bit as dear: "Give it back to the states."

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Last week, Gov. Inslee signed a bill that will essentially destroy Washington's medical-marijuana system.

You might not care, but you should.

When the team behind Initiative 502 wrote their marijuana law, they left the already well-established medical dispensaries and collective gardens out of the equation, assuming they'd be dealt with at a later date. Well, they were dealt with, all right-last week the Governor signed a bill to eliminate both entirely.

Lawmakers in Olympia had been looking to overhaul the parallel medical- and recreational-marijuana systems, and agreed on a bill (from hell) that will close each and every medical-marijuana dispensary. I'm not going to get all policy-wonky on this and lose my audience in the third sentence. (Still with me?) So lemme just break this down with one simple point:

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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Nearly two decades after voters passed a medical marijuana law that often left police, prosecutors and even patients confused about what was allowed, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill Friday attempting to clean up that largely unregulated system and harmonize it with Washington's new market for recreational pot.

Among the law's many provisions, it creates a voluntary registry of patients and, beginning next year, eliminates what have become in some cases large, legally dubious "collective gardens" providing cannabis to thousands of people.

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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Nearly two decades after voters passed a medical marijuana law that often left the police, prosecutors and even patients confused about what was allowed, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill on Friday that attempts to clean up that largely unregulated system and to bring it in line with Washington's new recreational marijuana market.

Among the law's many provisions, it creates a voluntary registry of patients and, beginning next year, eliminates what have become in some cases large, legally dubious "collective gardens" providing cannabis to thousands of people. Instead, those patients will be able to buy medical-grade products at legal recreational marijuana stores that obtain an endorsement to sell medical marijuana, or they will be able to participate in cooperatives of up to four patients.

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Recreational Shops to Sell Medical Products

Cooperative Grows Limited to No More Than 4 Patients

OLYMPIA (AP) - Nearly two decades after voters passed a medical-marijuana law that often left police, prosecutors and even patients confused about what was allowed, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill Friday attempting to clean up that largely unregulated system and harmonize it with Washington's new market for recreational pot.

Among the law's many provisions, it creates a voluntary registry of patients and, beginning next year, eliminates what have become in some cases large, legally dubious "collective gardens" providing cannabis to thousands of people.

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Shooting Down a Few Anti-Legalization Arguments.

"They're talking about opening a weed stand, or whatever, right next to my kids' school," the woman began, reaching for a plastic cup of wine during ArtWalk. "I mean, they're already getting drunk. Now this will make a second thing we're allowing for!"

I gently reminded her that both of those things were illegal for minors, but she would have none of it.

"Seriously. The parties they go to are beyond," she said, gazing at an out-of-this-world painting on the gallery wall. "From eighth grade on, there is alcohol at most of their socials. That's already happening. So to add another drug that can mess up their minds . . . "

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In November 2012, Washington state voters approved Initiative 502 legalizing recreational marijuana. Part of the appeal of legalization was the potential of a new revenue source for cities.

To date, Washington has brought in over $31 million in excise tax revenue from marijuana sales, expected to reach over $362 million by 2019. Yet none of the excise tax revenue is shared with cities, and only a small portion of retail sales tax is retained by cities.

Washington state relies on local cities to enforce marijuana laws. Cities need to receive a share of the excise tax revenue to help deal with the additional impacts created by the legalization and sale of marijuana, including enforcing regulations and increased demands on our police.

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Although it's been two years since Washington State legalized marijuana, the process involved in creating a retail industry for it has not been without its growing pains. Gary Mason weeds through the problems facing strain-potency testing

In a fresh white lab coat, his name embroidered atop a chest pocket, Cameron Miller looks and sounds every bit the chemist that he is. When he begins talking about the wonders of terpenes - the organic compounds that give plants their distinct odour - he could be a sommelier discussing the power and influence that tannins have on wine.

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Looks like our neighbors in California are taking measures to conserve one of our most valuable resources - water.

What are we doing here in the "Pothead State" to conserve our water, I ask? Now that we have an official "Cannabis Chronicles" column in our newspaper I am hoping the leaders of this revolution will answer the problems of where and how the newly appointed czars of the dope agri-business will get their supply of our invaluable moisture.

As a taxpayer, I don't intend to share one drop with them nor do I want to pay one extra penny for water so that their businesses might share. The water problem could necessitate sharing on a "priority basis" with other farmers and legitimate growers but I will never consider marijuana a legitimate business since there are many medicines that alleviate pain prescribed by doctors. It's obvious that this horrendous business has no legitimate function except to make some greedy persons rich.

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Legislature

Under the 2012 Voter-Passed Initiative, Revenue From Marijuana Taxes Was to Go to Substance-Abuse Programs and Health Care. But That's Not Exactly What Lawmakers Have in Mind.

The initiative approved by voters to legalize recreational marijuana included a specific shopping list for spending the tax revenue, but the state Legislature looks poised to tweak those instructions, or even lose them entirely.

To the dismay of public-health officials, that could mean cutting millions in prevention and treatment funds intended to offset the costs to society of legalizing pot.

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CUSTOMERS are getting smoked out of the Ding How Center in Seattle's Little Saigon neighborhood. While the city is looking into the matter, landlords must do more to protect their properties from bad disreputable medical-marijuana stores.

Businesses, employees and patrons should not be constantly overwhelmed by the smell of marijuana. Two dispensaries are now located at 1207 South Jackson Street. Store owners say The Green Door is a good neighbor. But the other, Seattle Caregivers, has become a nuisance.

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Taxes are too high, competition from medical marijuana is too great, and the bureaucracy is overwhelmed by the volume of applications. As Gary Mason reports, the new regulated system is giving rise to a robust black market

Amber McGowan surveys the clutch of customers milling around the three counters in her tiny marijuana retail outlet and nods approvingly - pot is hot.

Men and women who appear to be mostly over 50 consider products with names such as Headband, Skunk, Banana Kush and THC Bomb. A five-pack of oatmeal cookies that are nothing like the ones your mother used to make go for $42 (U.S.). Behind a glass enclosure there are bongs of every colour and description. Psychedelic renderings grace the store's wood-panelled walls.

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But That Could Change-If You Care About This Issue, Contact These Representatives in Olympia Right Now

A few years ago, my friends Monica and Nate got ahold of a few marijuana cuttings, also known as "clones," and planted them in their backyards. Neither of their plants grew into the towering, gawky, bamboo-like stalks you see in stock news photos of professional marijuana grows. Monica pruned hers to grow smaller and bushier, less conspicuous, almost ornamental-the bonsai of marijuana. They were stupidly easy to grow, both said, no more difficult than tomatoes or basil. One year, the wind knocked over Monica's pot planters, breaking one and crunching lots of the stems-but they hurtled back to life.

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Spring has sprung, and it's finally time to strap on the running shoes and get stoned out of your mind!

There's no doubt that marijuana is good for all kinds of things: stimulating the appetite, creative brainstorming, giggle-fests . . . but exercise?

Yes, apparently. According to an article in last month's Runner's World, athletes who use cannabis benefit from stress relief and reduced inflammation.

Now I'm no marathoner, but I do understand the pain and nausea that kind of grind might cause; hell, I "hit the wall" on walks from Starbucks to the car. And long-distance runners are now claiming that the pain relief associated with marijuana is also a huge benefit for their grueling efforts, helping athletes achieve an idealized state earlier in their run.

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MY son Haiden is 6 years old. For him, access to medical cannabis is a matter of life-and-death.

Haiden has Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. Haiden used to suffer from frequent seizures of all varieties - sometimes more than 100 a day, despite taking five prescription medications, all at the maximum dose our neurologist would allow.

Today, Haiden receives two daily doses of medical cannabis with 100 milligrams of cannabidiol, also called CBD. His medicine has almost no THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. It has dramatically transformed my son, and by extension our entire family.

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According to headlines, Washington lawmakers are trying to divert marijuana tax revenues to fund general education instead of prevention and treatment services (SB 6062).

Prevention coalitions and youth treatment organizations like Daybreak Youth Services help keep and get kids away from drugs through dedicated public health dollars like this. Voters wanted it dedicated to prevention and treatment. Ignoring that harms everyone.

The community must understand the real risks of using pot at young ages. That message cannot get out effectively without funding.

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State tax revenues from legal marijuana sales, which began last summer, hit $33 million by the end of March. The total has risen steadily each month for the last nine months, as the recreational pot market authorized by Initiative 502 lurches to its feet.

That revenue is estimated to skyrocket up, potentially to $900 million over the next four years, if the Legislature finally gets a handle on the unregulated medical marijuana market.

Rising revenue is proving to be like a candy dish for lawmakers now trying to balance the state budget. It is very tempting, but raiding marijuana tax revenues to pay for services not intended by the ballot measure ultimately is bad for the state's collective health.

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