Citizen activists have filed a statewide initiative to legalize marijuana possession, growing and sales for adults in Washington state.

The measure is sponsored by Douglas Hiatt, an attorney who represents medical marijuana patients, and other activists who want to remove state penalties. Federal sanctions still would exist.  The state previously passed an initiative authorizing medical use of marijuana for certain patients.

Sponsors, calling themselves Sensible Washington, said authorities should stop spending tax money policing pot use and trade by adults.

A marijuana legalization bill also has been introduced in the Legislature and hearings were set for Wednesday. A forum, including the legislative sponsors and travel writer/TV personality Rick Steves, was scheduled for Tuesday evening in Olympia.

Attorney General Rob McKenna, the state’s top law enforcement official, has spoken against legalization. The bill is not expected to pass the Legislature.

Initiative sponsors have until July 2 to submit 241,153 valid signatures of Washington voters to the Secretary of State.  If that occurs, all of the state’s 3.5 million voters will be allowed to vote on the issue on Nov. 2. A California initiative is expected to qualify for the ballot this fall and some state legislatures are considering the issue.