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| CSU: Pro-Pot Flyer Flap Overblown |
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Posted by CN Staff on September 28, 2006 at 06:30:26 PT By Kevin Duggan Source: Coloradoan 
Colorado -- A freedom-of-speech issue on the campus of Colorado State University appeared to go up in smoke Wednesday as university officials allowed flyers promoting passage of a pro-marijuana initiative to be posted in residence halls.CSU officials said a flap over the flyers was a misunderstanding. But proponents of Amendment 44, a measure on the November ballot that would legalize possession of less than an ounce of marijuana for individuals 21 and older, claimed the university attempted to ban the flyers because they promote drug use. "Clearly this (flyer) is not promoting marijuana; it's promoting a marijuana law," said Mason Tvert, campaign director for Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER, which is campaigning in support of Amendment 44. "Based on the contents of the speech, they decided to prohibit it." The controversy began Tuesday when students sought permission from CSU housing officials to have the flyers, which feature a logo with the words "Yes on 44" superimposed over a large, green marijuana leaf, posted in residence halls. The flyer also contains information about the dangers of alcohol abuse and the need to register to vote by Oct. 10. Seth Anthony of Campus Libertarians said students were told the marijuana leaf would have to go. The students contacted SAFER organizers in Denver, who in turn contacted the American Civil Liberties Union to complain about the university restricting free speech. University officials said Wednesday housing staff members did not ban the flyers; they only asked the students to modify them so their focus was on the political campaign rather than marijuana. School policy prohibits the promotion of illegal drug used CSU spokeswoman Dell Rae Moellenberg said. The political message of the flyer was not the issue. “We encourage students to be involved in the political process and to participate in political campaigns,” Moellenberg said. “We do not restrict political activity or students’ rights to express their views.” The flyer that initially was shown to housing officials was different than those presented to the media and passed out on campus Wednesday, CSU official said. Although school officials did not have a copy of the flyer, they said the marijuana leaf was more prominent. Anthony insisted the flyers were the same. “They were very clear on what they objected to and what they wanted changed on the flyer,” he said. “We’re not willing to change our message. We have a right to free speech, and we shouldn’t have to invoke lawyers in order to exercise that right.” Amy Parsons, associate legal counsel for CSU, said the university “never has and never will” restrict free speech. Activity in the Lory Student Center Plaza, which on Wednesday included an anti-abortion group displaying graphic pictures of aborted fetuses, is evidence of the university’s commitment to free speech, Parsons said. In a prepared statement distributed by SAFER, ACLU staff attorney Taylor Pendergast said the issue appeared to be resolved. “The ACLU of Colorado is concerned with any restraint on free speech and especially restraint on speech related to state ballot issues, which goes to the core of the First Amendment and Article II Section 10 of the Colorado Constitution,” Pendergast stated. “CSU should be commended for responding quickly and appropriately to resolve any misunderstanding about the students’ right to post these flyers.” Note: School officials claim dorm issue a misunderstanding; SAFER says school tried to ban posting initiative info. Source: Coloradoan (CO) Related Articles & Web Sites: Safer Choice Safer Colorado Top Lawman Debates Pot Pot Initiative Booster Tvert: Reach for Your Beer Smokin' Debate on Pot Issue Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #6 posted by ekim on September 28, 2006 at 08:21:05 PT |
| Oct 26 06 SAFER Initiative Event 06:00 PM Norm Stamper Denver Colorado USA
LEAP speaker and advisory board member Norm Stamper speaks to an audience at a NORML sponsored event in conjunction with SAFER initiative. The event takes place in Boettcher Hall at the University of Denver. This event is open to the public. To those that are good at writing letters to the eds a request that the CO newspapers be asked --- What does the Law Enforcement Against Prohibition think of Prop 44 the Safer question. Bring a Leap speaker to CO and find out what prior Judges, State Police, Local Police, Corrections Officers. Have to say about the current Drug laws and what can be done to change them. Contact Mike Smithson Speakers Bureau Coordinator Law Enforcement Against Prohibition http://www.leap.cc speakers@leap.cc 131 Flint Path, Syracuse, NY 13219 Cell: 315-243-5844 fax: 315-488-3630 Blog: http://blog.myspace.com/leapspeakers [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 28, 2006 at 07:48:49 PT |
| I will get in trouble with Mapinc. if whole articles are posted without proper copyright info. Please post a link and a lead in so we know what the article is about. That is always allowed. Thank you. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by paul armentano on September 28, 2006 at 07:32:14 PT |
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http://www.aspendailynews.com/article_16136 PitCo high on pot initiative Wed 09/27/2006 08:01PM MST The hot-button issues of legalizing marijuana and recognizing the rights of same-sex partners drew the unanimous support of Pitkin County commissioners on Wednesday. With virtually no comments during its regular meeting, the commissioners unanimously passed resolutions on six state ballot issues coming before voters Nov. 7, including Amendment 44, which legalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults. The commissioners had debated the question at length at a work session earlier this month, said chair Mick Ireland. At that time there was some hesitation about what kind of message the board's endorsement would send to kids. "But we're not convinced that legalizing something for adults necessarily means that children will follow," said Ireland. The commissioners' resolution supporting Amendment 44 says "it strikes an appropriate balance between public safety and individual choice that persons 21 years of age or older who can legally possess and consume alcohol should be able to choose to legally possess and consume small quantities of marijuana in non-public places." That's basically the argument of the group that successfully petitioned to put the initiative on the ballot. Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER, argues that marijuana should be treated the same as alcohol, and that booze is actually much more harmful than pot. But the "overriding issue" for the commissioners, said Ireland, "is the massive diversion of resources" used in enforcing existing drug laws. He and the other commissioners are concerned that the state's prison system -- which houses many petty drug offenders -- severely taxes the prison system. "The consequences (of keeping pot completely illegal) are worse than the benefits," said Commissioner Jack Hatfield. Commissioner Patti Clapper, who said she is neither condoning drug use nor smoking, said that she supported the resolution because having pot use on one's record can be such a hassle later in life. Denver voters passed a similar initiative last year, and decriminalization efforts are or have been on ballots in 11 states. Even if Amendment 44 passes, however, adult possession of marijuana would be illegal under federal law. The commissioners also supported Referendum I, which would establish legal domestic partnerships. Its purpose is to give same-sex couples the same rights and protections as married couples -- such as inheritance rights, joint insurance coverage, and hospital visitation -- "all the benefits of marriage except the expensive wedding ceremony," said Ireland. Another ballot measure, Amendment 43, would change the Colorado constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The commissioners passed a resolution in opposition to that. Other statewide issues that the commissioners took a stand on were: * opposition to Amendment 38, which would essentially make it easier to put initiatives and referendums on the state ballot; * opposition to Amendment 40, which would put term limits on appellate judges and state Supreme Court justices; * support of Amendment 42, which would raise the minimum wage to $6.85 per hour. The Aspen City Council took a position last month in favor of Referendum I supporting same-sex partnerships, and opposed Amendment 38, the citizen petition initiative. At a recent council meeting, elected officials affirmed their opposition to term limits for judges. lutz@aspendailynews.com [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Had Enough on September 28, 2006 at 07:12:50 PT |
fast thinking, cool moves ….. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by global_warming on September 28, 2006 at 07:06:18 PT |
| "..students were told the marijuana leaf would have to go...well its staying and the laws are changing... [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by mayan on September 28, 2006 at 06:55:44 PT |
| This is great! The university obviously knew that they were indeed trying to ban free speech but they were quickly called out on it and put back in their place. Now is the time to use our freedom of speech before we are all labeled "enemy combatants" by the neo-con terrorists. I just heard on the radio that Bush is on Capital Hill bullying the Senate right now. Are You an Enemy Combatant? http://kurtnimmo.com/?p=576 IT'S TIME TO TAKE TO THE STREETS... October 5th, 2006 - Mass Day of Resistance: http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20060927142052300 SPREAD THE WORD. IT'S NOW OR NEVER... Barrett Thanks Nass, Invites Nass to 9/11 Lecture: http://mujca.com/bbc.htm Barrett to talk on 9/11 belief: http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=100490&ntpid=3 Barrett's Planned 9/11 Lecture Brings Backlash: http://www.wkowtv.com/index.php/news/story/p/pkid/24968 SEPT. 11 AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM: http://tinyurl.com/l263f Breaking News: Mike Berger/Matthew Rothschild Debate: http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20060927230014133 James Fetzer on Hannity & Colmes - Video Download: http://www.911podcasts.com/display.php?vid=176 Free Film! Loose Change 2nd Edition in Bordeaux,France: http://911-bordeaux.blogspot.com/2006/09/free-film.html New Deception Dollar: http://www.communitycurrency.org/9-11.html#UP [ Post Comment ] |
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