Oregon Public Broadcasting

Northwest voters are getting a better sense of what measures they'll be voting on this November. The Washington Secretary of State has so far cleared three of the six petitions submitted for this fall's ballot. And the Oregon Secretary of State's office Friday gave the go-ahead to two of the six measures it's checking. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

One Oregon measure would allow medical marijuana dispensaries such as those found in California. Oregon's 36,000 medical pot users would be able to buy their drugs at a store instead of using home grown marijuana.

A second measure would impose mandatory sentences for certain repeat sex offenders and drunk drivers.

One of the chief petitioners of that measure is initiative activist Kevin Mannix. The former Republican state lawmaker says that while sex crimes and DUI's may not be related, the common thread is a desire for stiffer penalties for repeat offenders.

Kevin Mannix:  "At some point society has to draw a line and say you know, we're going to sanction you and we're going to impose tougher sanctions."

Four more measures could still qualify for the Oregon ballot.

Washington voters are assured to vote on at least three measures including an income tax on the wealthy. Signatures for three more are still being verified.