10 Year Anniversary of Initiative 502, Legalizing Cannabis in Washington State

On November 8, 2012, Initiative 502 was approved by Washington’s voters, passing by a margin of 56 percent to 44 percent. The measure legalized the production, possession, delivery and distribution of cannabis, regulating the sale of limited amounts of cannabis to adults age 21 and over.

Ten years later, in recognition of this historic event, the LCB will be hosting a series of events and conversations leading up to the anniversary. While the agency had for many years regulated alcohol and in later years, tobacco and vapor, the pioneering effort of cannabis legalization adjusted the landscape for both this agency and the state of Washington.

Upcoming Events

Left to Right: Author and ACLU of Washington Political Director Alison Holcomb, Senior Research Scientist/Epidemiologist at Oregon Health Authority Dr. Julia Dilley and University of Waterloo Professor Dr. David Hammond

• Board Discussion with Alison Holcomb
  On Nov. 1, the Board hosted a discussion with I-502 author and ACLU political director Alison Holcomb. Prior to the I-502 campaign, Alison’s work included successfully advocating for legislative and regulatory improvements to Washington’s medical cannabis law, adoption of the second 911 Good Samaritan overdose prevention law in the nation, and creation of Seattle and King County’s groundbreaking Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program that has reframed police thinking about low-level street crime and public safety. You can view a recording of the conversation here.
• Board Discussion with Dr. David Hammond and Dr. Julia Dilley
  On Nov. 8, the Board will host a discussion with University of Waterloo professor Dr. David Hammond, PhD regarding the publishing of his report on Washington’s cannabis system entitled the International Cannabis Policy Study. The report includes a broad set of data that sheds new light on Washington’s system.
• Joining the Board and Dr. Hammond will be Julia Dilley, PhD. Julia Dilley is a Senior Research Scientist and Epidemiologist with Multnomah County Health Department and State of Oregon Public Health Division. Since 2016, she has co-chaired the nationwide Council of State & Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Cannabis Subcommittee, leading efforts to identify the best measures and methods for cannabis-related public health monitoring. Her current research focuses on public health effects of law and policy around cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Both discussions will covered streamed live by TVW.