Marijuana, gayrights measures qualify for fall ballot

OLYMPIA It's supposed to be an offyear for elections, but the
November ballot just got a little more crowded. Secretary of State
Ralph Munro announced Tuesday that initiatives dealing with marijuana
and gay rights contained enough valid signatures from voters to
qualify for the Nov. 4 ballot, joining six measures previously
certified. The other measures deal with issues as varied as gun
control, health care and a property tax cut. Initiative 685 (I685),
certified Tuesday, would allow regulated medical use of marijuana and
other illegal drugs, including LSD and heroin. The proposal also
would deny early release to anyone convicted of a violent crime while
under the influence of drugs. But it would allow judges to release
those serving prison time for nonviolent drug possession crimes and
to defer sentences for those convicted after the measure was passed.
The other measure certified Tuesday, Initiative 677 (I677), would bar
employment discrimination against gays and lesbians. That proposal
would give standing in court to sue for damages to people who thought
they had been discriminated against, based on sexual orientation or
perceived sexual orientation.

The Associated Press