SEATTLE VOTERS FAVOR MEASURE ON MARIJUANA

A Seattle initiative that would make adult marijuana possession the
lowest law-enforcement priority was passing last night, leaving police
and prosecutors concerned about a soft-on-drugs message. I-75 was
promoted as a way to make the most of limited law-enforcement
resources, though critics called it a veiled attempt to condone
marijuana use. I-75's biggest financial backers included the national
Marijuana Policy Project and Peter Lewis, head of Ohio-based
Progressive Auto Insurance, which favor decriminalization.

Dominic Holden, a leader in the I-75 campaign and organizer of
Seattle's annual Hempfest, said voters "don't think that adults who
possess marijuana for personal use should go to jail."

Victory is likely to be mostly symbolic.

Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has said I-75 wouldn't change police work
on the street. Police handle about 400 misdemeanor-possession cases a
year.

City Attorney Tom Carr predicted defense attorneys now will likely
challenge the prosecution of possession cases as running contrary to
voters' wishes.

He said I-75 gives children the idea that marijuana use is something
society is going to "wink at and ignore."

It was the second time in five years Seattle voters have considered
easing up on drug laws. A 1998 medical-marijuana initiative passed
with 70 percent of the vote.

There was no organized opposition to I-75, though White House drug
czar John Walters came to Seattle and called it irresponsible.

I-75 was endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington,
the King County Bar and League of Women Voters of Seattle.