It’s my sad duty to inform you all that I-1068 will not make it. We’re going to fall short. So I’m asking you all to stand down immediately, relax, regroup and let’s all push on for the future. In the end, we couldn’t overcome this Spring’s awful weather and the ACLU of Washington actively working against I-1068. Douglas and I and everyone else are all humbled by your efforts. The battle may be lost, but the war goes on.
I-1068 will not be on the November 2010 ballot
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I must admit, I’m impressed by the efforts made by this group of people. I am a 28 year old man whom voted for the first time in 2008. I had not realized how important it was to realize what was going on in my government. Even what I had known before was mostly national, but even then I didn’t know how it all worked. In the last two years I have taken a strong interest in how we can actually change our lives by becoming active in our government. The reason I believe I-1068 made it as far as it did, is because not only was there a shining ray of hope for smokers that are otherwise conscientiously law-abiding citizens; it was also a realization that we could actually do something so bold.
If sensiblewashington.org set up a forum to get ideas flowing, perhaps add factual data with many informational links, try to keep the businesses that helped this time involved, start fundraising, we could have a very strong start on marijuana reform next year and a political base that could move mountains. I hope you all (Dawdy and other organizers) understand the power that you’ve stirred, and I really hope you are not discouraged by this years shortcomings.
Many of the comments here are very inspirational, I am so pleased to be in the virtual presence of such positive thinkers. It’s time to keep pushing forward, to make Sensible Washington a well known name. I’m sure the people here are intelligent and creative, and will be able to figure out how to get the attention of the People of Washington State.
we got tons of media attention more than any initiative in signature gathering phase has gotten in years. not sure what media you were paying attention to. ads would’ve been nice but we didn’t have the funding for that except near the very end…and then we bought some ads.
Not surprised at all. Too little too late. Very little media attention. An advertisement would have gone along ways. Then there would be anti pot ads also and that would actually help our cause by creating more debate. Most people that vote were not aware that I-1068 even existed until now.
I am completely ready to do it again. Learn from this brief failure. Earlier with The Stranger next time. I am an ACLU member and past steering committee member and my view is that we need to lead ACLU on this one. If this gets on the ballot it will pass.
Almost a 1000 citizens took the petition out of my hands and signed it. I had a conversation with most all of them.
People thanked me and shook my hand for gathering signatures and preaching about the evils of marijuana prohibition.
I saw minds change on this issue before my very eyes.
I heard literally hundreds of stories from people anxious to share their experiences caused by the insanity of the nation’s marijuana policy.
I witnessed the astounding demographic diversity of the supporters of I-1068.
I cherish those experiences and am grateful that I had the opportunity to work on I-1068. I have no regrets.
I’m confident that my experience mirrors that of most of the volunteers.
Though we were unsuccessful, we did not lose. We moved higher up the mountain and the summit still awaits…
This was a phenomenal effort on the part of organizers and volunteers alike! In nearly 20 years of activism I’ve seen and been involved in a number of campaigns and I never saw one that I was so certain had a chance to make it on the ballot with an all volunteer army. And we did come so close! Close doesn’t get it on the ballot of course but everyone should take heart from the numbers. As for chances next year I’d saw we are almost certain of making it happen. Even if the weather is as bad or worse that wont be enough to undermine the running start we’ll have and the experience we’ll be going into next year with.
Lets all have a great 4th of July weekend and remember what those bombs bursting in air represent. Then lets get down to work- planning and preparation for a successful initiative in 2011 begins now.
To the ACLU I would say that their failure to endorse and support this initiative is a very black mark on their record. Its almost as bad as when they not only refused to stand up to McCarthyism but actually caved in to the “Red Menace” hysteria of the day and eliminated from their ranks members alleged to have “communist sympathies”. I would like to have long conversation with those that made this utterly deplorable decision and remind them of what “Civil Liberty” is supposed to mean.
As far as “burning the petitions”, while its not a good idea to turn them in to the state at this point it is also not a good idea to just toss them away. This is a massive database of supporters and as such is EXTREMELY valuable!! It requires just a little effort to digitize this data and then a little more effort to make contact. So long as its clear that the message is coming from the official campaign and so long as people can opt out of all future mailings, phone calls, etc, then there is absolutely no legal, moral or ethical problem with this.
People shouln’t be afraid to sign an initiative. If someone has some good reason to “not be on the list” I have news for them, you already are on the list. Some list or a dozen of them. The best thing to do in the deplorable fascist situation is to take a positive step, take hold of the power that the people can and do exercise directly and change the law!
One last thing: I think we should develop a companion initiative to co- circulate next year – an Initiative Reform initiative. 241,000 signatures is far too great a requirement and impedes the will of the people. The liquor bill will be on the ballot come November because there was plenty of money to pay for that. So there’s a good chance the controls on booze, something we all know is dangerous, will be lifted even further than they are (and I’m actually fine with that), but decriminalizing weed, something we all know is practically harmless, will not get its day before the voters. How sadly ironic.
And ultimately how terrible for the people of Washington State. One more year of “cops n robbers” games. One more year of the dying and infirm having to be afraid to get what is sometimes the only medicine that brings them relief. When the polls have shown that the majority of the voters would have voted yes on 1068 its a tragedy that proves the people need to have a more muscular direct say in the affairs of state. The initiative process is but one tool in the asenal of the people but its a damn good tool. It just needs to be made more accessible.
Naturally we shouldnt want it to be TOO easy to get something on the ballot but I think 20 or 30 thousand sigs by itself ought to be sufficient to keep the crackpotted at bay while at the same time encouraging and promoting the idea that “the will of the people” is more than just a slogan.
I say “LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE!”.
Wow that loss really stung. In more cases than I care to think about, is the lack of the medical marijuana community that got the med law in 1997 and 1998. What is in this for the medical marijuana patient care providers? There goes $200.00 a pop for the doctors bussiness and then many of them are connected to the supply profit, dispensaries
make big bucks. Legalized use by anyone over 18 would put these “care” providers out of bussiness. Their greed killed this I-1068. Their phoney support of these legalizing efforts were shallow and podantic. Next time don’t count on these feet draggers. Count on the freedom fighters that have always been there.
Let’s be honest-this is Washington. Rainy, chilly weather didn’t hurt us as much as the ‘someone else is working it’ mentality. That, and organizing marijuana users is like herding cats.
Next year I think we will ALL do more ourselves and not assume that it’s taken care of. This WILL happen as soon as we ALL do the work it takes.
Please think about what Luke said.
If you do nothing, nothing happens! Nothing could be truer!
We gave it a good shot this year and learned what we need to know to get on the ballot next year.
What we can do between now and February when we get paper back in our hands is to stay in touch, be active, and get as informed as possible.
Get or keep in touch with your area coordinator.
Create awareness of the issue. You need to be active outside of your circle of friends.
The best way between now and November is to go to events where candidates will speak.
Ask the candidate what they have done (not will do) to end “The war on Americans”.
Stop using their language; they have used the phrase “War on Drugs” for 40 years. It is not, never has been, and never will be a war on drugs. No drugs have been killed or maimed those were people. This is a war on Americans do not let the people running for office forget that we understand that even if they do not.
Over six million people in the last decade have had their lives taken from them. These people, who did nothing to anyone else, were not killed, but they have had their lives taken from them just the same. Children taken away, jobs lost, homes, boats, cars taken from them, what ever the authorities chose to steal, their potential to earn a decent wage or get an education taken from them, really from all of us. This is not Nazi Germany it is America.
We need to call it what it really is and demand of them what they are doing to end it.
When we criminalize vices we make criminals where none existed, we take productive members of society and make them rob and steal for a living.
Be informed!
When people ask why we should legalize “another” substance have answers, educate them!
http://www.saferchoice.org/content/category/7/27/83/
http://www.saferchoice.org/content/view/24/53/
I really thought this was our year, next year there is no question, be ready.
February is almost here.
btw, we are not in a position to force bushinesses to be drop off locations. we got as many on board as we could. we’ll be expecting you to volunteer to help us next year.
the idea was brought to me the week before we did it. sadly, it resulted in far fewer signatures than anyone expected.
nice? compared to where?
I thought the weather this spring was quite nice, comparitively.
Thanks for your efforts.
I believe we can qualify an initiative for the ballot as an all volunteer effort and the initiative will be more likely to pass in the election that way than if it gets on the ballot through professional signature gatherers. Where I primarily gathered signatures the I-1068 volunteers received an astounding amount of respect from the community. We influenced many people to think about the idea of ending penalties for responsible adult use of marijuana with more open minds. We were part of the community and ready to carry forward the work to win the election if I-1068 qualified for the ballot. Professional signature gatherers might have gotten more signatures but they wouldn’t have created this sort of respect, positively influenced people about the subject matter or been around to campaign for election victory which is our goal.
I’ve been informed we collected about 100,000 “high-quality” (i.e., probably valid) signatures by May 20 and about 80,000 more “high quality” signatures in the following 6 weeks. If that is roughly accurate, I interpret it as meaning our efforts to gather signatures became far more successful as word of the Sensible Washington web site spread and as petitioners experienced better conditions for signature gathering. Less than a week ago I was still getting signatures from people who told me they’d been wanting to sign the initiative but hadn’t seen a petitioner or known where to find a petition to sign. If we maintain the web site’s domain name, keep it reasonably active to recruit potential volunteers for the future, add persuasive material and good links for undecided voters, keep spreading the word about the web site and have a good initiative for the next attempt, I think the next attempt will get a Sensible Washington initiative on the ballot. To do all of this will take some ongoing involvement from volunteers which I think will be beneficial since it keeps people involved and because I anticipate our remarkable effort will be drawing ongoing opposition from governmental and other entities with vested interests in maintaining criminal penalties and the illegal marijuana market.
I suspect there will be some legislative changes in Washington’s marijuana laws and the next initiative will have to be rewritten to reflect or anticipate that. It appears to me the simplicity of I-1068 has been very favorable. I-1068 was straightforward and didn’t take on devisive issues. I’d like to have seen it include something comparable to the home beer brewing and wine making exemptions from taxation and business license requirements, think this might have been somewhat helpful in getting signatures and very helpful in protecting the initiative from legislative undermining of its intent. No doubt other people will make many other suggestions for possible changes in the next initiative and many will be good. My suggestion reflects orientation towards protection of personal liberties, affordability for medicinal users and reducing crime by reducing the potential profit from marijuana law related crimes. Perhaps it would be unacceptable to too many of the “tax the hell out of it” people. When considering suggestions, I think Keep It Simple and Don’t Divide Reformers Or Voters With Issues Of Disagreement should remain guiding principles.
Whatever the future holds, I wish to express my thanks to the many people who have done so much and to express my respect for their efforts. I include everyone from the visionaries who started this to the people who may only have signed the petition but did so despite fear of disapproval or other consequences because they believed it was the right thing to do.
The idea of putting tens of thousands of petition forms in The Stranger was brilliant. Why didn’t you do it at least one week sooner?
And as of Monday, your website still showed only a handful of drop-off locations.
A little bit better execution of that idea might have meant 100% better results.
Hey all,
I appreciate everyone’s effort, even if all they did was “a little” according to Luke Wilkins there below. For many people, doing “their all” did mean, maybe to you, only “a little.” I don’t think those people need to be chastized, they should be recognized!
Good job to everyone that went out an collected, whether you got 10 sigs, 100 sigs or over 1,000. Screw anyone else that tries to make you feel like you didn’t do enough! Stay positive, build allies, not enemies! We did good all things considered!
Let me just fantasize for a few more hours that 50,000 signatures will come in the mail today
Few wars are won with a single battle. I take pride in what we have done. Many, many people gave all they could. (time, energy, and $) You are patriots of the best kind. To them, all my thanks! To the thousands and thousands of OTHERS, (Cannibus Users especially) that did little to nothing, I implore you, with all my heart………..JOIN US! I hope sensible washington, will maintain this web site, and use it as a recriuting tool. Warriors Wanted! In parting, I remind you all……….If you do nothing, Nothing happends. Peace out.
I was surprised too. A lot of people worked so hard. But I am not discouraged. This will happen. We just have to be patient a little longer and really support our friends in California. We have all learned some lessons and will be hitting the ground running next time.
Priscilla has a very good point, so I have to include the following again: I would suggest simply burning the petitions. With the current state of the law concerning privacy, it might be a disservice to the cause to turn them in unless there is a potential to get on the ballot. We want to minimize any chilling effect so that we are ready to go next year.
Imagine if someone started mailing pamphlets about their choice to sign I-1068. I doubt anyone who received one would sign something similar next year . . .
when can we start work for next year ? maybe we can get some bands to play benefit concert or get get the ACLU to help with the imitative to draw it up what they think it could be and also do some early fund raising.
Sorry I’m late to the party… I was kind of a tacet supporter of 1068, I didn’t get involved directly.
Can someone answer why exactly the ACLU was working *against* 1068?
They state very clearly on their organization website that they are against drug prohibition:
http://www.aclu.org/drug-law-reform/against-drug-prohibition
Did they object to some wording in the initiative?
Thank you to everyone that put work in on this.
It is unfortunate that this won’t be on the Nov. Ballot. Not all hope is lost though. Progress was made. Even just getting folks to have a conversation about the topic was progress. Getting 200k signatures is no small task out of an all volunteer effort. If you went out to collect signatures, pat yourselves on the back and hang your heads high. I have confidence that within the next year or two will help things to change in Washington for the better.
It’s a shame that even with getting 200k signatures there are people succumbing to stereotypes of pot smokers as slackers who can’t get anything done. We did accomplish something people, even if the outcome wasn’t quite what we had hoped for.
I’m in for the next round whenever it may be.
I wish I had given more… but I can say that I drove all the way to Alki beach today from marysville just to make sure I signed.
It’s not over, not by any means.
Oh well, Ready for next year…You have my contact info if you need me to coordinate West Seattle again or anything else just call. Also If we will be having a fund raising booth at Hempfest let me know I’ll volunteer for everyday all day.
I am dumbfounded. How is this possible?
Over the last few months, I have seen many people out gathering signatures for I-1068. I personally have gotten about 1100 signatures, but I have seen very few people getting signatures for the other initiatives that are going to be on the ballot.
I don’t get it.
Oh, well. If any of you are on a jury for someone who is charged with violating marijuana laws remember that you don’t have to vote guilty even if you are certain that they are. See the website of the fully informed jury association (fija.org).
We were amazing folks! Next time too!
_~
I’m awestruck at just how hard everyone worked even in all that rain. We have EVERY reason to be proud of ourselves, we did what isn’t done anymore and we did it well and with grace.
Know that you’re an inspiration with your passion, dedication and ingenuity… all of you.
Thank You from the bottom of my heart .
Ric
Lets keep the momentum going for next year lets hope CA can get it through we will get there its only a matter of time before we get all of these old timer conservative tools out of public office and legalize it.
Phillip (and all others who sweated bullets to try to make this happen) — THANKS! Take some time, regroup, recharge. You’ve now got the contact details for 200,000 people who support this (and there are many more out there who we just didn’t get to). You’ve created a movement, and can build on this to garner success next time around. To try and to fail is not as bad as to not try at all . . ..
Phillip I am sorry I know how hard you worked, and I did too, to get signatures.
An all volunteer effort, is it possible to pass an initiative with an all volunteer effort? I have my doubts. There’s too much money required to get on the ballot…
When I picked up petitions, from the office on Elliott, no one got my contact info and there were no reminders to send in petitions weekly even though I added SW to my RSS feed. Lessons must be learned and funds raised to have some paid campaign staff to spearhead this next go around. I wonder how many signatures were collected and not turned in. The weather was certainly a factor too.
I applaud all those who collected and devoted their time to this important issue of social justice.
I am disappointed too, some too because of all the naysayers who said that stoners couldn’t get it together enough to get it on the ballot. I am not a stoner, I am a person who thinks jailing people for pot is silly from a criminal justice perspective and doesn’t want to pay for it. Watch “THE UNION” on dvd and you will see why it must be legalized.
I had SO many people say they wanted to sign but were too paranoid to do so. Alas. The beat goes on. There are so many initiative on the ballot perhaps it would have gotten lost on the ballot this time any way. Thank you again for all the life energy volunteers put into this effort.
We’re like sand people. We’ll be soon be back. And in greater numbers.
Seriously though, bummed.