Gay marriage and pot initiatives have strong support in Wash.
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A new poll shows two ballot measures that would legalize gay marriage and allow marijuana possession both enjoy strong support among likely voters in Washington.
According to the Survey USA poll, 56 percent of the Washington voters polled support a measure that would allow same-sex couples to get married. Just 38 percent of respondents are against it and nine percent are undecided.
When asked about an initiative that would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution and production, 57 percent of people polled said they support the plan. 34 percent said they were against it and nine percent are not sure.
Both polls were conducted by Survey USA for KATU News. They both have a margin of error of +/- 4.3 percent.
The gay marriage referendum enjoys strong support among Democrats and independents, according to the poll. Only 25 percent of Republicans polled said they support the gay marriage law.
The marijuana initiative enjoys more support among Republicans with 35 percent in favor. It is also strong among Democrats.
Supporters of the gay marriage law in Washington have spent large amounts of money during the campaign. The group lobbying for the bill has raised more than $6 million, while as of late August a prominent group against the law had raised less than $500,000.
Referendum 74 asks voters to either approve or reject the law passed earlier this year that allows same-sex marriage in the state. That law is on hold pending the November vote.
The marijuana initiative, I-502, would legalize pot under state law and allow its sale at state-licensed stores, with tax proceeds dedicated to education, health care and substance abuse prevention. Oregon and Colorado voters will also decide on marijuana legalization measures this fall.
Marijuana would remain illegal under federal law, however, and it isn't clear how the federal government would respond if any of the states voted to legalize it. The Justice Department could prosecute employees of state-licensed pot shops, sue in federal court to block the laws from taking effect, or simply seize the tax revenue from the states as proceeds of transactions that are illegal under federal law.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
why do they even try get the voters hopes up... there is no way the federal govenrnment is going to allow this.
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marijuana was voted legal in washington state only to be stopped by the feds in the past.
California is going backwards on the medical side of marijuana due to FEDS.
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you may feel like you have choices and are in charge of your life, but you dont, and arent!
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 @Rey Arteb You stop having choices the moment you decide to not pursue them.
i am a kid in tenth grade and i have been looking at the facts of same sex marriage and marijuana Thought i have never partaken in either i have spoken to people on both the pro and against sides of the arguments and i have come to say that no one but the person should chose who or what they partake in
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Same sex marriage is against nature itself...
 @sortbait trollbait
Promotion of homosexual agenda and pot is absolutely evil. I am afraid the people of this country will suffer such as never before if these trends continue.
 @Invincible GO 2 HELL
 @Invincible why would this country even be effected by the marriage equality laws and if we do get thrown into disarray then we need to get and keep our government  separate from the church
 @Invincible OK Mr. Fred Phelps.
In time (perhaps in just one generation) gay marriage and marijuana use will become ubiquitous across the USA, to the point that there will not only NOT be debates about it, but it won't even as much as raise an eyebrow. It will just be considered normal. Just as laws giving women and minorities the right to vote, laws granting equal rights and freedoms for African Americans, and laws repealing prohibition turned these things from hotly contested arguments, to virtual non-issues today.Â
If this passes, allowing  marijuana possession, then companies need to start enforcing drug testing on a regular basis, and terminating all who test dirty. Most companies have a "no drug" policy. So now they need to actually implement it.
 @jonsiesd2Â
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Companies already have drug policies that prohibit employees from using any drug that will impair their ability to function including OTC and prescribed meds. OSHA also backs up those policies to help reduce on the job injuries.
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The courts have made it clear that they can do random drug tests and many companies to that already.
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If a worker is injured on the job and tests positive for any drug that impairs their ability to work then they can be rejected for workmans comp and terminated on the spot.
 @RalphCramden  Essentially, it would end up being if they had consumed enough to prevent them from doing their jobs. That's my understanding.
 @pdxdÂ
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Tylenol on normal doses does not affect the sensorium hence acetaminophen is not an issue. If someone would take 100 APAP at 500 mg each that would kill them. I guess that means their judgement would be questioned.
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ASA, APAP and other OTC pain meds in normal doses and even higher does will not alter the sensorium or reduce reaction time.
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If you are going to argue a point at least do some homework on the issue.
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And it is a black and white issue. Either you have a prohibited drug on board or you don't. If you do you better be prepared to be unemployed and in this economy that would not be good especially with a bad drug test.
 @RalphCramden  With that black/white logic, whether you have 1 tylenol, or 100 tylenol, you could be fired since tylenol (in large enough doses) could have the potential to impact your judgement....
 @pdxdÂ
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Most companies have a "ZERO" tolerance drug policy. The reason for that is that it is not subjective. Most companies hiring have a drug test policy due to the liability of hiring a person on drugs. If they test positive for anything the applicant can request a blood test.
@jonsiesd2 No drug testing where I work.If they did they would have to fire 98% of their employees.
 @noneofyourbizzness Quite frankly, I don't want to work with people that are stoned, no matter what they are stoned on. Bussinesses need to start drug testing in a major way, and then firing thoes that are not sober.
@jonsiesd2 Don't come work at my business then.And leave us alone please.We function just fine without your stupid drug tests.
 @jonsiesd2 So, if an employee is on period medication, anti-depressant, migraine, hay-fever, or anyother medication that may cause them to "feel" differently, then they should be fired? Is that what I understand you saying?
It's proven alcohol is far more harmful to the human body than ingesting pot. It's proven.. It also kills cancers and helps with pain. I'm living proof. Denying people a life saving medicine and better quality of life goes against the Doctor's Hippocratic Oath to do no harm. Doctors back this up and there is proof that is does more good than harm. You can only take so much pain meds before you stop breathing. With pot, all you do is get the munchies and fall asleep. It's a victim-less crime that is a waste of revenue to prosecute. We're broke enough and this would also increase cash flow to all the states who do legalize it. Look at the numbers and crime statistics from countries that just don't care about it anymore. They have socialized medicine and less violent crime. Now gay marriage. Hypothetically speaking, let's say you were denied  a basic right like being able to vote in an election just because you are a republican. That would suck wouldn't it? Live and let live already... Sheesh people.
 @PDXBEAR "". It's a victim-less crime"" You must be from a different planet PDXBEAR tell all the victims of the home break ins, the robberies, assaults, that take place so pot heads can support their habits. Victim-less crime check the police records and find out you are totally wrong.
 @onceagain Cool story, onceagain! If only it were actually true....
 @onceagain You're confusing marijuana, with crack, herroine, meth....
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 @onceagain  @PDXBEAR Afford?  Can grow it yourself, rofl.  Point to news articles about potheads burglarizing to support it.
 @brendan As for now, I'm refusing to feed the trolls. I'm tired and it's making my face ache.
 @brendan It's a shame that there is such a stigma attached to it. It also pisses me off to see people lump a medical pot patient in with meth freaks, crack heads, and heroin users. That's like me saying "ALL RELIGION IS BAD". If it helps you become a better person, I'm all for it. Then you have those that make the rest of the good Christians look bad. It's people like that, that pushes me away from organized religion. To them drugs are drugs are drugs. Anyway, if people used ALL this energy for something great, the possibilities would be endless. The sad thing... I don't ever see it happening. It's just too polarized. Why? RELIGION!Â
 @PDXBEAR I grow it myself.  Oddly enough, I also own a business (IT  Tech Support/Security Cameras/POS systems), raise a teen-aged son, volunteer for two large non-profits (Humanitarian/Disaster Work), and volunteer with my ham license -- my gosh, I'm breaking all the stereotypes!
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Sucks there's so many lazy people like me...
 @brendan  @onceagain I get all my medicine for free. It's illegal to charge money for it.
 @onceagain You're barking up the wrong tree. I'd like to see where you get yourfacts. Here's my sources... http://crimeinamerica.net/2010/01/27/crime-news-time-to-legalize-marijuana/  There are also a variety of links to educate yourself attached to that article.I also feel like your are lumping people who use it for medicine and those who misuse it along with heroin and meth. Your comment further proves to me just how uninformed you are. I don't steal, and I don't commit violent crimes. Most potheads I know are too mellow to get off the couch.  Knowledge replaces fear. Educate yourself.
 @PDXBEAR Victimless crime? Sorry, not true. I lost my nephew and his family to a pot head (still had a joint smoking in the ashtray) who was speeding (60 in a 45 zone) when he crossed the center line and hit them head on. Any and all intoxicants are deadly in some circumstances.
 @ShallowEnder  That's very unfortunate and I am so sorry that happened. I feel it should still be illegal to drive while smoking pot and be a DWI/DUII. It sounds like the person wasn't doing the speed limit which slows reaction time as well as the pot.. However, it was a poor decision on his part to break the law by speeding. I am so sorry and my thoughts are with you and your loved ones. The fact remains, far less people die in marijuana related accidents than in alcohol related ones. I say ban alcohol. I have 7 loved ones that was killed by a drunk driver. You never get used to tragedy...
 @noneofyourbizzness Can I come over for a brownie?
 @noneofyourbizzness  @onceagain  @PDXBEAR  @ShallowEnder I *just* pulled the cannabutter out of the fridge after hardening to separate the water -- I make some rich fudge-like brownies, and gonna try it in cinnamon rolls tomorrow likely (as in, made from scratch, let rise for several hours, etc.)
@onceagain @PDXBEAR @ShallowEnder It's not up to you or the government to dictate to people how to go about their lives.BTW not everybody "smokes dope" Personally I make some killer marijuana brownies.
 @onceagain WOW! Look at you judge.. Id rather choose the lesser of two evils, yes. Anything can be dangerous if misused. Too much water can kill you if you drink too much. We going to ban that too? Like I said, educate yourself with facts and stop forcing YOUR ideals on people who are smart enough to think for themselves.Â
 @PDXBEAR  @ShallowEnder SO because fewer people get killed by dope heads that makes it ok to smoke dope. Your brain cells have all gone south for the duration PDXBEAR.
This is all fine with me, providing we don't have a bunch of people wanting to have gay pot marriages!
 @PDX Dave Why not? The ceremonies would be fabulous and the food would be AMAZING! It kinda goes hand in hand now that I think about it. LOL!
@PDXBEAR @PDX Dave You could serve tweenkies and Dorito's and everyone would think the food was amazing at that wedding. Count me in.
 @Festivus  @PDXBEAR Yes. Yes, I am!  She laughed about how I worked her into a conversation about gay marriage and pot legalization :)
 @brendan  @PDXBEAR So then you're partial to the Rosemary loin with pork, I presume.
 @PDXBEAR  OK, we need to exchange recipes :)
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I'll need some for the wedding (sorry ConservaTards, it's to a female, nothing to see here, move along) next year!  Oddly enough, her name is Rosemary :)
 @MadMax64  @PDXBEAR  @PDX I was actually thinking about a wonderful pork loin with rosemary, garlic and strawberry/marjoram chuntey but ok.. LOL
# hrs online statement and over 622 hits, must be a new record, all the gays and dope heads must be off work today to make so many hits. Â In my own opinion, (which many gays, lesbians, and potheads do not like, for the simple reason that I do not agree with them), pot is still a dangerous drug and needs to be outlawed and same sex marriage is just plain wrong. IF gays and lesbians want to live together fine but do not shame the marriage vows GOD set down by wanting to be married. I am not against equal rights for everyone but marriage is made by GOD and is still a sin no matter how Hollywood and the liberals want to make it appear.
You happen to be factually wrong. God just spoke to me several minutes ago and told me he's changed his mind..pots ok and so is the gay thing.. He/she is really against bacon however...very unhealthy
 @stuart shapiro Did she mention her feelings on the fluoride issue by any chance?
 @brendan No, just pot, gay marriage and bacon.Im hoping for a follow up discussion however  as I just started smoking  pot after  many years abstinence.
 @onceagain I didn't realize God came down and wrote the marriage laws for every jurisdiction around the world. I mean, if that's the case, God also wrote the laws where old men can marry pre-teen girls, or brothers can marry their sister, or cousisn marry eachother, or one man can marry 17 sisters and have 87 children/cousins with them.....Oh, and not to mention the "trade" of money/livestock/land in exchange for the bride
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Marriage is ever evolving, as with most things in life. You however, seem to be never evolving. Must be sad to live every day @onceagain with nothing ever evolving.
 @pdxd While you live in your small world, I can understand why you are so confused about what GOD is telling everyone. Maybe if you did a little more studing you could see the light.
 @onceagain My "small dream world"? Well, let's see here, I spent 18 years growing up in religion and learning about the bible during that period. Let's see, in the bible, Abraham convinces son Isaac to go be sacrificed for the Lord and just before Abraham is about to "sacrifice" his son, the Lord tells him not to. If in modern day, a parent, or any adult for that matter were to tell a child, "The Lord has commanded me to take you to a mountain so I may sacrifice you to him", the law enforcement would be all over that, the child would be on the cover of People magazine and giving an exclusive interview to Oprah! Just because someone claims that God is giving them instruction does not mean that it is God's will!
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I believe that there is a higher power, but my belief is that whether there is a God, Goddess, Crystal Ball, Magic Marshmallow or anyother being that is out there, that they would want people to treat eachother with love and respect, to be treated equally and fairly. I believe that the will of man preaching as God is not the same as the will of "God".
 @onceagain  @pdxd And the FSM with HNA loves you too!  He told me so!  <--- your statements are no less, nor more credible than those.  They're statements.  You treat them as fact.  Inability to distinguish fact from fiction is a HUGE indicator of mental health issues, and/or developmental issues.
 @brendan  @pdxd Keep living in your dream world of confusion, but your comments are normal for someone who does not believe in GOD. But the good news is that GOD still believes in you.
 @onceagain  @pdxd Normally, when people talk about hearing voices, it's considered a mental illness.  Either you're hearing them, and you're very suspect, or you're going on the word of people who heard voices.  Either way, you're basically following a lunatic who's unbalanced and can pump out crap faster than Stephen King.
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God's allegedly omnipotent.  If he wanted something done about it, he'd do it himself.  Seemed to work for the flood, no?
 @onceagain I am totally against same sex marriage too but the law in Washington they want to pass says churches don't have to marry gays as they just want the legal marriage for benefits  on paper so I 'am voting yes  and so should you, let them have legal protection for there kids and stop being an idiot.
 @riderofthelegend  @onceagain Thank gods, the voice of rationality!  Thank you for understanding that the issue affects churches & religion not one bit :)
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Thank you for understanding that the choice is yours if you do or do not want to have one, and not about denying it to others.  I assure you, while I am whole-heartedly in support of SSM, I would be just as supportive of the churches' position if the gov't did ever tell them who they could and could not marry -- that would be a clear violation of the 1st Amendment.  Give *everyone* the choice, including churches.
 @onceagain This from the person having made 14 posts by 3pm, roflmao.  Can we assume you're a gay dope head?
 @brendan Someone is bored.. This is how trolls are born.Â
 @PDXBEAR Actually, if I recall the NatGeo special 2 years ago, this is part of their mating ritual actually.  Depends what subspecies though.
 @onceagain Please explain how your religion is right, and all others are wrong, and why the courts should back yours?  Or was the First Amendment a mistake, you say?
 @brendan I never said other religions were wrong or that the courts should back only my faith. Your kind always want to put your words in our mouths to try and make your point seem better. Old tricks do not work try another tack there buddy.
 @onceagain it's time to learn yourself a new trick....or face being a one-trick pony
 @onceagain If this is the love your God teaches, I want nothing to do with it.
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 @onceagain You're judging people by decrying what you believe your God says......
 @PDXBEAR You surely must lead a very sad life, from the comments you are making here. by the way I never judge anyone, I just repeat the message that is already written down. You have every right to believe or disbelieve whatever you wish. Calling yourself a free thinker is another way to say do not accept what others believe and everyone else must be wrong for not thinking the way you do. You want others to accept your ideas but you do not accept others of different opinions. How sad.
 @onceagain I don't want to and I shouldn't have to have your ideals forced on me. I refuse be(LIE)ve in a god that has no PHYSICAL proof of existence. I guess what I am trying to say is that I can think for myself and not use religion as a crutch. I can think for myself and I really don't need your validation. So go on. Pick and choose which scriptures you want to live by, judge others for having a mind of their own, and choose which laws you want to bide by. What ever happened to separation of church and state. Besides, it kinda looks like you might be one of the few that feel this way. Maybe it's time for change. We all know we can't grow without it. Live and let live.. Be well, and be the change you wish to see. Zealots live very unhappy lives.