Last year California made history by successfully getting Proposition 37 initiative on the 2012 ballot. Prop 37 was the first ever people only initiative to make it mandatory to label GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms/food) in the state of California. Although those opposed to the idea defeated the ballot with “dirty money”, that did not stop the people from continuing on and planning to try even harder this year. Washington state is now at the top of the list for the next state to possibly get the initiative passed on the 2013 ballot. I-522 is the Washington state initiative to label GMO's in their state. Now they already have a track record for fighting against Monsanto and other would be supporters of GMO's and Monsanto's evil work.
In 2012 they successfully had GMO's banned in one of Washington's counties. I-522 is gaining momentum in the markets of Washington where they are setting up signature places for those that want to add their names to the initiative to do so. Right now they need about 310, 000 signature give or take some for the initiative to get approved to be placed on the 2013 ballot. When this number was told to those in charge of Prop 37 in California last year over 500K signatures were collected and with ample time to before the deadline. In Washington state we are hoping for the same turn out. Once the initiative is approved to be placed on the ballot the people can vote yes or no. Monsanto as well as all their followers and supporters will be watching this one as they did prop 37.
But don't allow that to influence you one way or another. Monsanto will no doubt funnel untold of amounts of money, as will other large food corporations such as Coca cola and General Mills, into trying to defeat I-522. Just as they did with prop 37, even though you may think they may be low on money because of the large fight in California, GMO's is big business and makes plenty of “dirty money”. But you can help the good cause by spreading the word about I-522 as well as going to their website here and applying to become a volunteer and/or endorsing the cause. If you live in the Washington state area it might be best to volunteer your time where you could probably be in charge of gathering signatures for the initiative.
If you are a Facebook user you can follow their official page here. California had a great chance at getting the law passed, and they almost did so, but Washington state has an even better chance due to the momentum that was created by California and so does every other state after Washington. According to pccnaturalmarkets.com, “I-522 is supported by independent grocers, such as Marlene's Markets in Federal Way and Olympia, student organizations on campuses, small restaurants, vitamin shops, a bookstore and farmer's markets. It's supported by conservative communities east of the Cascades, as well as progressive urbanites here on the west side, across party lines.” Well as of March 1st 2013 they can add the National Natural Living and Organic Living Examiner as another endorser, will you jump on board too?
Comments