Unanswered questions

I'm writing in regard to the recent article written by Jonathan Martin about Initiative 502 having been passed in Washington state [“Pot legal Dec. 6; ‘jury is out on what happens’ after that”].

The article was articulated well and touched on each aspect of the issue effectively, but I have some confusion in some regards. In the time between now and Dec. 6, when said initiative is to be put to action, will the federal government intervene? I believe we all are a bit fuzzy on the subject.

By then it will be a Washington state law, while it is against federal law. What exactly does this imply? Would a legal-aged Washington citizen be able to smoke marijuana freely without getting punished on a federal level? Also, on a side note, did most people expect this to pass as comfortably as it did? What about the equivalent initiative passed in Colorado?

— Rikki Poole, Maple Valley

Push for homegrown marijuana

Initiative 502 is a good step in advancing personal liberty regarding recreational marijuana use. However, it lacks the provisions that allow an individual to grow their own pot for personal use (unless one has a medical card).

I understand licensing and taxing commercial ventures but forcing someone to purchase something easily grown in a garden is unfair to all. I could even see a permit to grow for a nominal fee.

However, growing marijuana for medicinal and culinary use should be as legally and easily done as growing tomatoes is for the general public. The Founding Fathers grew cannabis for making rope and parchment, as letters from Washington to Jefferson demonstrate. Now seeds can be used for oil and leavings from pulping can be used to make ethanol.

Nothing has shown that marijuana is more dangerous than cigarettes or alcohol. In fact, it is less dangerous than both other drugs.

Cannabis is a beautiful plant and for that reason alone gardeners would enjoy it. There should be absolutely no impediment to personal plants in a garden. There is no reason to not amend this law to allow personal use of homegrown marijuana.

— Thomas R. Prince, Seattle