Join Rick Steves on I-502 statewide tour this month

(Oct. 8) — The Washington State Labor Council, the state’s largest labor organization, is among the many organizations — from the Children’s Alliance to the NAACP — that have endorsed a new approach to marijuana in Washington state: decriminalizing it, regulating it and taxing it.

WSLC delegates representing unions from across the state voted overwhelmingly this year to endorse Initiative 502, which appears on his fall’s ballot. I-502 legalizes the possession of marijuana for adults age 21 and older. The only marijuana that would be legal to sell in this state would be grown by specially-licensed Washington farmers and sold in standalone, marijuana-only stores operated by private Washington businesses licensed and regulated by the state. There would be a 25% sales tax, with 40% of the new revenues going to the state general fund and local budgets, and the remainder dedicated to substance-abuse prevention, research, education and health care. Advertising would be restricted and a new marijuana DUI standard that operates like the alcohol DUI standard would be established.

All are invited to join travel writer and television personality Rick Steves (who is co-sponsoring I-502), along with special guests and the I-502 team, starting this Friday, Oct. 12 as they give drug policy reform talks in communities across the state. All events are FREE and open to the public!

OLYMPIA — Friday, Oct. 12 at noon — Picnic on Capitol Campus, Tivoli Fountain Lawn, 416 14th Ave. SE

VANCOUVER — Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. — Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C St.

KENNEWICK — Saturday, Oct. 13 at noon — Kennewick Branch, Mid-Columbia Library, 1620 S. Union St.

WALLA WALLA — Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. — Hampton Inn & Suites, Conference Room, 1531 Kelly Pl.

SPOKANE — Sunday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. — Universalist Unitarian Church, 4340 Fort George Wright Dr.
— Sunday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. — Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave.

LEAVENWORTH — Monday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. — Sleeping Lady Resort, 7375 Icicle Road, Chapel Theater/Salmon Gallery

EVERETT — Tuesday, Oct. 16 at noon — Everett Station, Weyerhaeuser Room, 2930 Wetmore Ave.

BELLINGHAM — Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. — Western Washington University, Arntzen Hall, Room 100

TACOMA — Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. — Pantages Theater Lobby, 901 Broadway

SEATTLE — Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. — University of Washington, Kane Hall, Room 110, 1410 NE Campus Pkwy.

Click here for maps or to sign up to volunteer at your local event. For more information, visit New Approach Washington’s “Yes on I-502” website.