The folks behind Initiative 1068—which would've removed all penalties for pot growing, possession, use, and sale in Washington—say they're 50,000 signatures short of making the ballot this year.

From the PI.com:

Backers of an initiative that sought to legalize marijuana use for adults in Washington state say they'll come up short in their attempt to get enough signatures. Douglas Hiatt told The Associated Press that the effort to get Initiative 1068 on the ballot has fallen short by about 40,000-50,000 signatures.

About 241,000 signatures of registered voters are needed for a spot on the fall ballot.

The I-1068 campaign had scheduled an appointment to turn in initiative signatures to the secretary of state's office at 4:20 p.m. Friday - the last day to turn in petitions. The time - 4:20 p.m. - is also well known to marijuana enthusiasts as the time of the day when people across the world light up.

I intended to sign this initiative, but never once saw a signature gatherer. Meanwhile, those privatize-liquor-sales jags followed me down the street every time I was downtown in the last month.

Hiatt has apparently said the initiative will make a comeback next year. Hopefully he's right. This is a cause worth supporting.