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Denver Post
10/27/05

Where there's toke, there's ire
By Chris Osher

(Return to Press Section)
Backers of an initiative to make possession of an ounce or less of marijuana legal in Denver protest outside the City and County Building on Wednesday. State law would still make possession a crime.

Supporters of a pro-marijuana initiative Wednesday called Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper a hypocrite for opposing their efforts.

During a rally outside the City and County Building, they unveiled a banner that read: "What is the difference between Mayor Hickenlooper and a marijuana dealer? The mayor has made his fortune selling a more harmful drug: alcohol."

Although he has not actively campaigned against Initiative 100, Hickenlooper has said he opposes the measure on the Nov. 1 ballot that would make it legal for adults over 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana in the city. Hickenlooper said he views marijuana as a gateway drug that could prompt more drug use.

His spokeswoman called the rally a publicity stunt.

"Mayor Hickenlooper is too busy focused on issues that actually matter to Denver to spend time debating a legally irrelevant initiative that - due to existing state law - will change nothing in Denver," said his spokeswoman, Lindy Eichenbaum Lent.

Even if the measure passes, police say they will enforce a state marijuana-possession law.

The mayor's office, though, didn't want any hard feelings. The protest prompted Cole Finegan, Hickenlooper's acting chief of staff, to contemplate whether he should orchestrate a shipment of Oreos and Doritos to the 20 pro-marijuana backers who attended the rally.

Staff writer Christopher N. Osher can be reached at 303-820-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com.
(Return to Press Section)


	Denver Post 10/27/05 Where there's toke, there's ire By Chris Osher (Return to Press Section) Backers of an initiative to make possession of an ounce or less of marijuana legal in Denver protest outside the City and County Building on Wednesday. State law would still make possession a crime. Supporters of a pro-marijuana initiative Wednesday called Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper a hypocrite for opposing their efforts. During a rally outside the City and County Building, they unveiled a banner that read: "What is the difference between Mayor Hickenlooper and a marijuana dealer? The mayor has made his fortune selling a more harmful drug: alcohol." Although he has not actively campaigned against Initiative 100, Hickenlooper has said he opposes the measure on the Nov. 1 ballot that would make it legal for adults over 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana in the city. Hickenlooper said he views marijuana as a gateway drug that could prompt more drug use. His spokeswoman called the rally a publicity stunt. "Mayor Hickenlooper is too busy focused on issues that actually matter to Denver to spend time debating a legally irrelevant initiative that - due to existing state law - will change nothing in Denver," said his spokeswoman, Lindy Eichenbaum Lent. Even if the measure passes, police say they will enforce a state marijuana-possession law. The mayor's office, though, didn't want any hard feelings. The protest prompted Cole Finegan, Hickenlooper's acting chief of staff, to contemplate whether he should orchestrate a shipment of Oreos and Doritos to the 20 pro-marijuana backers who attended the rally. Staff writer Christopher N. Osher can be reached at 303-820-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com. (Return to Press Section)