Gay Rights, Pot Issues Make Ballot Newly Certified Initiatives Bring To Eight The Number Voters Will Face This Fall

It’s supposed to be an offyear for elections, but the November ballot just got a little more crowded.

Secretary of State Ralph Munro announced Tuesday that initiatives dealing with marijuana and gay rights contained enough valid signatures from voters to be placed on the Nov. 4 ballot, joining six other measures previously certified.

The other measures deal with issues as varied as gun control, health care and a property tax cut.

Initiative 685, certified Tuesday, would allow regulated medical use of marijuana and other illegal drugs, including LSD and heroin.

The proposal also would deny early prison release to anyone convicted of a violent crime while under the influence of drugs. But it would allow judges to release those serving prison time for nonviolent drug possession crimes and to defer sentences for those convicted after the measure was passed.

The measure, sponsored by Dr. Rob Killian, a Tacoma physician, faces stiff opposition from such anti-drug crusaders as Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, who views it simply as a way to legalize drugs.

Supporters of the initiative say last week’s decision by the state Supreme Court to uphold a ban against the medical use of marijuana will generate more support from a compassionate public.

The other measure certified Tuesday, Initiative 677, would bar employment discrimination against gays and lesbians.

That proposal would give standing in court to sue for damages to people who believed they had been discriminated against, based on sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation. In conformance with existing laws barring other forms of job discrimination, the measure would exempt workplaces with eight or fewer employees.

Tacoma lawyer Laurie Jenkins, president of Hands Off Washington, has estimated the campaign will cost at least $1 million.

Other measures previously certified for the ballot:

Initiative 673 would allow people to choose their own doctor or to keep their current doctor if they change jobs or health plans if the doctor agrees to the rules of the patient’s new plan. It also would require insurance companies to disclose any restrictions or limitations on coverage, and would make managed-care providers disclose the percentage of a patient’s bill going to health care and the percentage going for administration and other overhead costs.

The health insurance industry is expected to oppose the measure on grounds further government regulation will lead to higher costs for everyone.

Initiative 676 would require trigger locks on handguns and require handgun owners to pass a safety course. Supporters, including Microsoft chief Bill Gates and former Washington state first lady Jean Gardner, say the measure would save the lives of many children. The National Rifle Association calls it an infringement upon the right to bear arms.

Initiative 678 would allow dental hygienists to clean teeth without the supervision of a dentist. Hygienists have spent years trying to obtain this latitude through the Legislature.

Referendum Bill 47 would cut property taxes by about $200 million.

House Joint Resolution 4208 would amend the state constitution to permit voter-approved school district levies to run for an optional four-year period, rather than the current two-year maximum.

House Joint Resolution 4209 would amend the state constitution to permit local governments to make loans designed to improve storm water and sewer services.

The five initiatives all met the constitutional requirement for a minimum of 179,248 signatures of voters. The property tax referendum and the two constitutional amendments were sent to the ballot by the Legislature.