SEATTLE TO VOTE NEXT YEAR ON MARIJUANA INITIATIVE

SEATTLE -- The Seattle City Council voted yesterday to place pro-marijuana
Initiative 75 on the ballot next September.

I-75 would make the city's prosecution of marijuana cases, where the drug
was intended for adult personal use, the city's "lowest law enforcement
priority."

Some council members said I-75 was unnecessary because the city rarely
cracks down on adults who possess small amounts of marijuana -- 40 grams or
less -- for personal consumption.

The city prosecuted 143 marijuana misdemeanor cases last year out of 17,500
total cases referred by police, said City Attorney Tom Carr.

But Councilman Nick Licata, who has endorsed I-75, said the initiative aims
to influence policy far beyond Seattle's borders. "I see this as one small
step in the national debate about the need for drug reform," said Licata.