NEW POLL SHOWS VOTERS SPLIT ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

A new statewide poll shows voters evenly divided on the question of
legalizing marijuana as the state Legislature takes up the question
next week.

The Elway Research poll of 411 randomly selected voters found 48
percent in favor and 45 percent opposed to legalization, which is
likely headed to the November 2012 ballot in the form of Initiative
502. The margin of error is 5 percentage points.

The initiative, run by a campaign called New Approach Washington,
heads to the Legislature first, but will be on the presidential ballot
unless lawmakers approve it.

The support softened from an Elway poll in July, when 54 percent,
asked a more general question about marijuana legalization, expressed
support.

Pollster Stuart Elway said that downward trend should concern
initiative sponsors. Conventional wisdom says an initiative should
start with support in the mid-60s because undecided voters usually
vote against ballot measures.

"If you're a supporter, it's going the wrong way," he
said.

The initiative would legalize and tax one-ounce sales of marijuana to
people 21 and over, and authorize privately-owned, state-licensed
marijuana retail stores and grow operations. Washington voters in 1998
allowed medical marijuana for authorized patients, but they haven't
had a chance to vote on full legalization.

Elway said the campaign needs to sway women voters, who were far less
likely to support legalization (52% men, 43% women), and to ensure
young voters (69% of voters under 35 support) turn out to vote.

Alison Holcomb, campaign director for New Approach, noted the Elway
poll question was broadly worded, without mentioning provisions in
I-502 -- including an estimated $215 million in marijuana tax revenue
earmarked for health and drug-abuse prevention programs -- that are
popular with voters.

"Our research over the years have shown us that voters really care
about what the details are," she said.

New Approach, using paid signature gatherers, turned in more than
341,000 signatures to the Washington Secretary of State in late
December. The prime opposition thus far has been medical-marijuana
patients, who say I-502's driving-under-the-influence provisions would
inhibit their ability to work and live while using legally authorized
medicine.