The March 30th Friday Night Coffeehouse at the Tonasket Community Cultural Center will include a roundtable discussion about marijuana.
Topics will include the Marijuana Initiative 502 that will be on November’s Washington State voting ballot and the current Medical Marijuana law passed in 1998. I-502 would make Washington a first state to regulate and tax the use of marijuana.
The conversation will be on the law as it stands, the Initiative as it would change the law and the future of marijuana in Washington State. Also examined will be potential economic opportunities involved if Initiative-502 becomes law. Among other things, the measure would create a system of state-licensed growers, processors and stores, and impose a 25% excise tax at each stage.
Presentations on the current Medical Marijuana law will be given by Steve Bozarth, from the Okanogan County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, Mark Carrol, Chelan County attorney, and Okanogan County attorneys, Ron Hammond of Omak and Mike Lynch of Okanogan.
Presentations for the proposed Washington State Initiative 502 will be Matt McCally from the group “Law Enforcement Against Prohibition” (www.leap.cc), and Tonia Winchester from the organization promoting I-502, “New Approach Washington”(www.newapproachwa.org). Speaking against the I-502 will be Anthony Martinelli, from “Sensible Washington”(www.sensiblewashington.org).
“The evening should prove to be provocative and informative.
“It is my intention to help the electorate to make an informed decision in November and also to understand the Medical Marijuana Law as it now exists,” said roundtable organizer Buffalo Mazzetti. Mazzetti, founder of “Legalize It!” Spring Water which works to legalize Hemp and Cannabis.
“It is time we had reasonable, educated conversations regarding this plant that has served humans for thousands of years for food, fiber, fuel, medicine and fabrication. Cannabis/Hemp could help with our fuel, energy and economic crisis…,” Mazzetti said.
Speaking on the measure, Charles Mandigo, former head of the Seattle FBI office, had this to say: “It is the money, not the drugs, that drive these criminal organizations and street gangs. Take away the money and you take away the criminal element.”
The Tonasket Community Cultural Center is located at 411 Western Avenue, in Tonasket, WA. This event is open to the public and free to attend. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., a dinner of organic brown rice, cheese and salad will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meal is $7 for members and $8 for non- members.
Contact Buffalo Mazzetti at info@politicalactionwater.org
