cannabisnews.com: Councilor Takes Heat for Pot-Issue Support Councilor Takes Heat for Pot-Issue Support Posted by CN Staff on October 17, 2006 at 06:28:42 PT By Felisa Cardona & George Merritt, Staff Writers Source: Denver Post Colorado -- A Denver City councilman who chairs the safety committee has angered police by saying he approves of a statewide initiative that would legalize small amounts of marijuana. In a newsletter dated Fall 2006 that explains his views on each of the upcoming ballot initiatives, At-Large Councilman Doug Linkhart wrote that he will "probably vote for" Amendment 44 - which would legalize possession of an ounce of marijuana for those 21 and older. "There is little evidence that marijuana use by adults has a negative impact on the broader community - and certainly not as many negative effects as alcohol," Linkhart wrote. "Let's spend our law enforcement dollars on more important matters." Several Denver police and city officials said they were astounded by Linkhart's comments. "We have an elected city official in charge of the Public Safety Committee condoning the use of an illegal substance, and the Police Department's role is to control the use of illegal substances," Denver Police Protective Association president Mike Mosco said. "We would hope that the chair of the Public Safety Committee would have a better understanding of what the police department does." And Police Chief Gerry Whitman said Linkhart's view defies "common sense." Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4503793Source: Denver Post (CO)Author: Felisa Cardona and George Merritt, Denver Post Staff WritersPublished: October 17, 2006 Copyright: 2006 The Denver Post CorpWebsite: http://www.denverpost.com/Contact: openforum denverpost.com Related Articles & Web Site:Safer Choicehttp://www.saferchoice.org/High Time for Pot Law, Supporters Sayhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22286.shtmlDrug Czar Visits Two States To Slam Pot Initiativehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22277.shtmlHippie-Hating and Baitinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22244.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by Hope on October 18, 2006 at 03:42:18 PT Linkhart I sure hope he has the courage to face up to this intimidation, and overcome and overwhelm it, and let those who would intimidate him have their attitude land right back in their own laps.Linkhart...Not afraid to do the right thing...even in the face of those who would shame and ridicule him without cause.What a brave and admirable man. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by whig on October 17, 2006 at 10:33:56 PT Celaya Did you get the e-mail I sent you a few days ago? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by ekim on October 17, 2006 at 10:19:09 PT good going --Councilman Doug Linkhart OPENING NATIONWIDE NOVEMBER 3, 2006 http://www.thegreatwarming.com/comingsoonustheatres.htmlCOLORADO Denver West Village 12 http://www.leap.cc/events [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Celaya on October 17, 2006 at 07:31:26 PT Policing Public Opinion "We have an elected city official in charge of the Public Safety Committee condoning the use of an illegal substance,Wrong. He's addressing the insanity of the substance being illegal. Big difference.and the Police Department's role is to control the use of illegal substances," Denver Police Protective Association president Mike Mosco said.That part's right. What is definitely not their role is trying to influence the decision making process - especially not with public hysterics about a citizen expressing his opinion.[At end of article:]"He is now the only councilman who is officially representing the people who elected him into office," said Mason Tvert, campaign director of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation. Great point, Tvert. This era of elected officials ignoring the will of their electorate must end - one way or another. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment