SEATTLE (AP) — Washington voters appear split on whether to legalize marijuana.
The Seattle Times reports that a new Elway Poll of 411 voters found 48 percent in favor and 45 percent opposed, within the margin of error of 5 percentage points.
Initiative 502, which would legalize and tax sales of marijuana to adults 21 and over, is headed to the Legislature next week. Unless lawmakers approve it outright, it will be sent to voters on the November ballot.
The support was down from an Elway poll in July, when 54 percent of respondents favored legalization in response to a more general question.
Alison Holcomb, the initiative’s campaign director, noted the Elway poll question was broadly worded, without mentioning the $215 million in estimated annual marijuana tax revenue or other specific I-502 provisions that are popular with voters.
