Peace Caravan

Poet and activist Javier Sicilia's Peace Caravan crossed the Mexican/U.S. border this month.  They are traveling the U.S. to promote a U.S.-Mexico alliance to fight the drug war and calling upon the U.S. to legalize drugs.

In November, Washington State votes on Initiative 502 to legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana.  Washington State is one of 16 states and the District of Columbia with legalized medical use.  If the initiative passes, Washington could become the first state in the country to legalize recreational use, reportedly putting it at odds, however, with federal laws.  

June 2012 polling shows voters favoring the initiative by a 50-37 percent margin.  The legislation could provide over 1.5 billion dollars in revenue over the next 5 years, including money for jobs and the state health care program that had over 100,000 people on a waiting list.

Oregon and Colorado are considering similar measures in November.