SAFERchoice Denver - Press Articles

The Associated Press
12/29/05

Advocates want Colorado voters to OK private use of marijuana

By STEVEN K. PAULSON

(Return to Press Section)
DENVER - An advocacy group said Wednesday it will ask voters statewide to make it legal for adults to use small amounts of marijuana at home, drawing swift opposition from some lawmakers and prosecutors.

Safer Alternatives For Enjoyable Recreation said it will take its campaign statewide because Denver officials are using state laws to prosecute marijuana users, even though city voters approved a measure last fall that eases Denver’s drug ordinance.

‘‘If the elected officials in this city don’t have the guts to stand up for the individuals they represent, we have no choice but to take up the fight on behalf of these individuals,’’ said Mason Tvert, the group’s executive director.

‘‘That is why today we are launching a campaign to make the private adult use and possession of up to one ounce of marijuana legal under state statutes,’’ he said.

Attorney General John Suthers and House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, said they would oppose the measure if it gets on the November 2006 ballot.

‘‘You would basically give people in Colorado a free pass,’’ Suthers said. ‘‘My personal opinion is that it’s not good public policy.’’

Tvert said there is no evidence marijuana use is harmful, but Suthers said it is not as safe as its advocates claim.

‘‘It’s not a benign drug,’’ Suthers said.

Romanoff said Colorado already has one of the highest drug-use rates in the nation but ranks near the bottom for drug treatment.

He said if the initiative passes, it could be tied up in courts for years.

‘‘This is a full employment act for lawyers,’’ Romanoff said.

Tvert said he believes he can gather the 67,829 valid signatures to qualify for next year’s ballot and win voter approval.

He said federal laws focus on distribution, not possession, and would not likely be used to prosecute personal marijuana consumption.

Tvert also said he does not believe lawmakers would try to change the law back if voters agree to relax it.

Home rule cities in Colorado, which represent about 90 percent of the population, could still pass their own laws regulating marijuana use, Tvert said.

The other 10 percent would automatically be covered by the new state law.
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	The Associated Press 12/29/05 Advocates want Colorado voters to OK private use of marijuana By STEVEN K. PAULSON (Return to Press Section) DENVER - An advocacy group said Wednesday it will ask voters statewide to make it legal for adults to use small amounts of marijuana at home, drawing swift opposition from some lawmakers and prosecutors. Safer Alternatives For Enjoyable Recreation said it will take its campaign statewide because Denver officials are using state laws to prosecute marijuana users, even though city voters approved a measure last fall that eases Denver’s drug ordinance. ‘‘If the elected officials in this city don’t have the guts to stand up for the individuals they represent, we have no choice but to take up the fight on behalf of these individuals,’’ said Mason Tvert, the group’s executive director. ‘‘That is why today we are launching a campaign to make the private adult use and possession of up to one ounce of marijuana legal under state statutes,’’ he said. Attorney General John Suthers and House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, said they would oppose the measure if it gets on the November 2006 ballot. ‘‘You would basically give people in Colorado a free pass,’’ Suthers said. ‘‘My personal opinion is that it’s not good public policy.’’ Tvert said there is no evidence marijuana use is harmful, but Suthers said it is not as safe as its advocates claim. ‘‘It’s not a benign drug,’’ Suthers said. Romanoff said Colorado already has one of the highest drug-use rates in the nation but ranks near the bottom for drug treatment. He said if the initiative passes, it could be tied up in courts for years. ‘‘This is a full employment act for lawyers,’’ Romanoff said. Tvert said he believes he can gather the 67,829 valid signatures to qualify for next year’s ballot and win voter approval. He said federal laws focus on distribution, not possession, and would not likely be used to prosecute personal marijuana consumption. Tvert also said he does not believe lawmakers would try to change the law back if voters agree to relax it. Home rule cities in Colorado, which represent about 90 percent of the population, could still pass their own laws regulating marijuana use, Tvert said. The other 10 percent would automatically be covered by the new state law. (Return to Press Section)