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| Reefer Reform In Denver |
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Posted by CN Staff on January 10, 2006 at 10:52:22 PT By Robyn Hansen Source: SLCC Globe 
Colorado -- Denver is now the fourth major U.S. city that has taken steps towards decriminalizing marijuana. In early November the vote was out, and with a 56 to 42 margin of approval it is now legal to have up to an ounce of the "sticky-icky-icky" in the city of Denver. An organization called SAFER, or Safer Alternatives For Enjoyable Recreation campaigned their cause to the city of Denver. "We spread the word about how marijuana is safer than alcohol," said campaign worker Eric Brown. Controversial campaign signs showed a battered woman naked on the floor with a husband figure holding a bottle of liquor. The campaign posters read "Vote Yes on I-100." Several signs and posters were torn down. "It is ridiculous that SAFER is telling people that this law will lessen domestic violence," said domestic violence counselor Clair Racher. SAFER is not done yet in Colorado. With nine recent alcohol related deaths at CU and CSU, SAFER is out to spread the word about the dangers of alcohol. SAFER is not telling people to smoke pot. Instead they are simply stating that if people want to have fun, marijuana is less harmful than alcohol. The smell of cannabis smoke will not be wafting through the Rocky Mountain air any time soon. Denver's Mayor John Hickenlooper is a strong advocate for the continued criminalization of marijuana possession. He intends to keep to his work and punish those in possession with the federal law backing him up. Although under an ounce is legal in Denver, marijuana is still a drug and a federal offense. A person in possession of marijuana faces nothing but a 100 dollar fine. Punishments for possession used to mean jail time. "My friend had three marijuana plants and he was put in jail for four years," said Brown. "The punishments and laws against people with marijuana are doing more harm than the drug could ever do." Mark Tvert of the SAFER organization wants to have a public debate with Mayor John Hickenlooper. Hickenlooper has denied their requests repeatedly. Mayor Hickenlooper is the owner of Denver's many Wynkoop pubs and breweries. Tvert went to Denver's City Hall and put body bags around Wynkoop kegs. Next to those he put bags of Oreos and Doritos. Tvert was making a statement that Hickenlooper approves a drug that kills, yet opposes a drug that gives people the munchies. "This vote shows that there is a shifting of how people look at marijuana compared to alcohol. We're becoming a younger culture," said Hickenlooper. "Thousands of people use marijuana, young and old. It is getting ridiculous that all of them have to sneak around," said Brown. While working on the campaign Brown and the SAFER organization had people of every age and color helping them out. Another organization similar to SAFER called NORML, or National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws believes that this is one small step to making marijuana just as legal as tobacco and alcohol. "I have been smoking pot for thirty years, I don't feel bad about it," said Denver resident Bob Hanson. "Making marijuana legal would rid the public of drug dealers and the violence that comes with them." Seattle legalized small amounts of marijuana in 2003. City Attorney Tom Carr told the Denver post that he has not seen any drastic changes. "One man was arrested for trying to sell brownies to a police officer and someone wanted to host a smoke-in in a park." Oakland adopted a similar law in 2003, but officers continued to prosecute. Hickenlooper hopes to follow the example of Oakland. SAFER and NORML want to head west to Utah and Nevada to pass similar laws. Imagine the Bee-HIGH-ve state. Source: SLCC Globe (UT) Related Articles & Web Sites: Safer Colorado Pot Advocates Push Statewide Legalization Marijuana Wars Set To Continue State Initiative Next Step for Marijuana Backers Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #2 posted by global_warming on January 10, 2006 at 17:00:36 PT |
| Which state will step up, Who will mark the twelfth state? Who will offer the stake We can plunge into the heart of the beast? This madness will pass. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by global_warming on January 10, 2006 at 15:39:16 PT |
| "Controversial campaign signs showed a battered woman naked on the floor with a husband figure holding a bottle of liquor. The campaign posters read "Vote Yes on I-100." Guess they are not ready to show the rape and brutality of this war on people yet, a bit too much to see, young men and women who are being forced through our judicial process, for having in their possession a pinch of the herb, a 'skinny joint. Sometimes i catch a glimpse of some 'black slave working in the hot sun, stopping for a moment to wipe the sweat that burns his eyes, mingling with his tears, wondering, how he became a slave. If you are waiting for Jesus to come knocking on your door, 'hope you are prepared, for it is not Jesus who will come knocking, it will be the 'tax collector. [ Post Comment ] |
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