cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Vote in The Bag? Marijuana Vote in The Bag? Posted by CN Staff on October 20, 2006 at 06:18:14 PT By Janet Urquhart Source: Aspen Times Colorado -- Perhaps not unsurprisingly, the Colorado ballot measure that would decriminalize the possession of a small amount of marijuana among adults has produced little in the way of local protest.In fact, citizens and local law enforcement personnel polled by The Aspen Times voiced mostly support for the measure, or at least support for letting voters decide the matter. Amendment 44 on the Nov. 7 ballot asks if Colorado law should be revised to make the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana legal for anyone 21 or older. Currently, it's a petty offense under state law, punishable by a fine of up to $100."The Legislature has, in effect, decriminalized it already," said Aspen Police Chief Loren Ryerson, noting its current classification as a minor infraction. It is rare that Aspen police arrest an individual solely for possessing an ounce or less of pot, he added. Typically, the charge comes in conjunction with more serious offenses.An Aspen man was cited last week, though, for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana after he allegedly lit up on Hopkins Avenue.Amendment 44 decriminalizes only possession; the open display or use of marijuana would remain illegal, as would driving under its influence, growing or selling pot, or possessing more than an ounce of the substance. Possession of any amount would remain illegal for those younger than 21."I think it's something that should be decriminalized. Let's not have a 'legal fiction,'" said Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis, referring to a law that's on the books, but isn't enforced.Sheriff's deputies have discretion in handling such possession cases, Braudis said, adding that his officers generally dispose of the marijuana if someone is caught with an ounce or less of pot, rather than issuing a citation."If a guy gets popped for DUI and he has a small amount [of marijuana], we usually flush it," Braudis said.Rick Magnuson, an Aspen community safety officer and a candidate for sheriff in next month's election, said he supports the amendment."I'm glad it's on the ballot. I glad we're having a choice. I'll enforce whatever the people want," he said. "I'm going to vote to change the law."So will most local voters, it seems.Few area residents The Aspen Times polled voiced qualms with the decriminalization move, though several spoke on the condition of anonymity."I don't think it's a huge deal. To me, it's just not that serious of a drug," said Bryan Lague of Aspen."It's not a harmful drug. It's not a narcotic," agreed Aspen resident Sterling Krone."Why bother having a law on the books they're not going to enforce?" added another local resident, who asked not to be identified. "If any law enforcement agency is spending any time on this at all, let's put our officers to better use."But Lenny Beaulieu, executive director of the Valley Partnership for Drug Prevention, said he'd rather see Colorado "err on the side of caution" and continue to outlaw possession of even small amounts of marijuana."I think it's a slippery slope to start chipping away at these laws," he said. "One more legal drug isn't going to benefit anybody."Though the amendment legalizes possession of pot only for adults, Beaulieu said he worries about the implications that a tacit approval of marijuana use sends to youths."It sends a message that it's OK to go out and get high," he said. "I don't think that's a message we want to send to our kids."Note: Pot amendment enjoys local support.Source: Aspen Times (CO)Author: Janet UrquhartPublished: October 20, 2006Copyright: 2006 Aspen TimesContact: mail aspentimes.comWebsite: http://www.aspentimes.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Safer Choicehttp://www.saferchoice.org/Bud On The Ballothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22305.shtmlDebate on Pot Sizzleshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22301.shtml44 Fires Up Votershttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22300.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #12 posted by whig on October 22, 2006 at 09:57:55 PT Toker00 We have to make the establishment want cannabis in order to change this, I think. Cannabis is medicine, and it enables people to avoid or even possibly recover from diseases of aging like Alzheimer's. Once we have enough of the aging set recognizing how this helps, we've got it in the bag. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Toker00 on October 22, 2006 at 03:38:45 PT Whig Exactly. Isn't that regrettable? Do you think the only way these people would see the ill of their ways is if they were unfortuantely taken down to ground level for a while, to see how the rest of us live? And suffer? Because suddenly it wouldn't be about weed anymore, it would be about reality. That weed that was so unhealthy and a stumble stone before, becomes your soother of pain and healer of heart and soul. Then they might understand that for some of us, anything worth doing is worth doing stoned.Toke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by whig on October 21, 2006 at 11:49:11 PT Toker00 I think a lot of these celebrities act as vanguards for the establishment -- they are permitted a lot more freedom of action than most people would ordinarily be without being ever in genuine risk of having themselves thrown in jail and deprived of opportunities.The condition for their "freedom" is to toe the company line.When they speak out of line, they lose their connections which enable them to live in the manner they've chosen. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Toker00 on October 21, 2006 at 05:58:17 PT AP article George Micheal, shut the f**k up! Someone find this clown and make him shut his trap. "I'd say it's a great drug - but obviously it's not very healthy. You can't afford to smoke it if you've got anything to do."This statement is disastrous, because in reality, cannabis is obviously HEALTHY, and anything worth doing, is worth doing whether you smoke cannabis or not! I love doing everything I do after smoking cannabis. Dude, educate thyself!!Paul Corry, a spokesman for mental health charity Rethink, said Michael's comments were "stupid and naive."I agree!Wage Peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by whig on October 20, 2006 at 23:53:25 PT The GCW My experience of cannabis is that it is always medicine for me, no matter how much I take or under what circumstance. I always feel better physically and mentally, like my body is healing whatever it can, every time. I think from talking to others that this is a common experience, all use may be considered medical.Which is kind of true of any good food that provides your body with the nutritional support it needs, and cannabis can be considered as food too, without contradiction. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by The GCW on October 20, 2006 at 21:17:51 PT The Lenny Beaulieu ignoid way of thinking... What Lenny Beaulieu, executive director of the Valley Partnership for Drug Prevention doeson't know He's saying... but We know He's saying is:continue caging humans for using cannabis...I'd rather error on the side of caging humans for using a God-given plant than consider being a loving fellow citizen...Even though the Amendment is directed to adults, I'm scared... Scared kids, youth and infants in diapers will evein see the plant and get hooked and addicted on cannabis... it's extremely addictive... it is worse than whiskey... I'M SCARED. Vote according to My fear....He wants the message to kids to be, it doesn't matter if cannabis is less harmul than whiskey, We will cage You if you are caught with it, so don't even think about having possession of the plant material...His message to cannabisnews is that of a ignoid. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by kaptinemo on October 20, 2006 at 16:50:41 PT: And what about all those alcohol advertisements? "It sends a message that it's OK to go out and get high," he said. "I don't think that's a message we want to send to our kids."What kind of message are brewers and distillers sending? Why do their advertisements for their (highly toxic) wares always end with "Remember to drink responsibly"? Might it be perhaps because the intention of drinking alcohol is to instigate intoxication? As in 'getting high'? The implications are inherently hypocritical. And, BTW, where is a lot of that drinking taking place? A safe bet it isn't at home. How can this not be safely classified as being exactly the behavior Mr. Beaulieu says he doesn't wish to encourage?And worst of all, the kids see right through this. The prohibs are always 'sending messages', while remaining blissfully deaf to the fact that the kids have been sending messages of their own for years. Messages like "Quit lying to us! Quit hypocritically lecturing to us with your martini in one hand and a cigarette in the other and tell us not to do drugs!" They read Mr. Beaulieu's claptrap, and snicker behind their hands...when they're not scowling behind them. While the illicit dealers do snickering of their own at the puerile reasoning abilities of prohibitionists. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by whig on October 20, 2006 at 15:51:09 PT gw I ate the bread, it is gone now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by global_warming on October 20, 2006 at 15:04:46 PT re: "err on the side of caution" "But Lenny Beaulieu, executive director of the Valley Partnership for Drug Prevention, said he'd rather see Colorado "err on the side of caution" and continue to outlaw possession of even small amounts of marijuana."I am sure that Lenny Beaulieu also would rather see the people of Colorado be tested for small amounts of marijuana, and continue this barren lie to bring the force of the state against so many innocent children, Oh Lenny have you not been listening?"WE The People have bigger fish to fry, it is time to come out from under your blanket, some women or man smoking an herbal cigarette is the least of our problems.If you have not figured it out Lenny, consider this current possibility, all the "money" that is being enjoyed by judicial intervention to "save" the children from Cannabis, buys fine caviar, good cigars and the finest alcohol.This is a gentle revolution, one that appeals to 'your' common sense.YES44 and Q7 and on and on to that Higher Place, where "WE" the People can affirm our place on this planet, in this real-time universe, it is time, in the fullness and goodness, to bow to that Higher Mystery, We are all' children full with Grace.re: Comment #20 posted by whig on October 19, 2006 at 16:21:58 PThttp://cannabisnews.com/news/22/thread22301.shtmlgw The bread is still growing, he is alive.That is so nice.Welcome and Be comfortable, this journey into the Everlasting Spheres of Understanding Await You. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 20, 2006 at 14:41:00 PT UK News: Article from The Associated Press George Michael Says in TV Interview That Marijuana 'Keeps Me Sane and Happy?October 20, 2006 LONDON (AP) - George Michael praised marijuana and apparently smoked a joint during a recently taped television interview, prompting criticism from anti-drug campaigners Friday.British television network ITV said the singer lit up while being interviewed for the arts program "The South Bank Show." The interview is due to be broadcast Oct. 31."This stuff keeps me sane and happy," Michael, 43, told the program."I'd say it's a great drug - but obviously it's not very healthy. You can't afford to smoke it if you've got anything to do."A spokeswoman for "The South Bank Show" said the interview had been conducted in Madrid, Spain, where marijuana consumption is legal. In September, Michael launched his "25 Live" tour - his first in 15 years - in Spain.Earlier this month, the former Wham singer was given a formal warning for possessing marijuana, after police found him slumped over the steering wheel of his car in north London.He was also cautioned for possession of the drug in February. Marijuana users can be sentenced to up to two years in jail for possession in Britain, though, in practice, most people found with small amounts are given a warning.Paul Corry, a spokesman for mental health charity Rethink, said Michael's comments were "stupid and naive."William Butler, spokesman for drug treatment charity Addaction, said he was "concerned about the message this can send out to young people.""Cannabis is illegal because it can be harmful, as can all drugs," he said.Michael's publicist said the singer had no comment.Copyright: 2006 Rogers Communications Inc.http://www.news1130.com/news/entertainment/article.jsp?content=e102055A [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 20, 2006 at 07:24:48 PT Excerpt from The The Rocky Mountain News Excerpt: He conceded that no acts of violence are included in the indictment. Sweetin, who has spoken out against Amendment 44 on several other occasions in recent weeks, was asked if there was any political significance to the timing of Thursday's news conference, given that 13 people named in the indictment were still at large when the news conference began. "Most of the cases that we've put out in front of you don't have 100 percent arrests by the time" they are announced, said Sweetin, who cited a public duty to disclose why more than two-dozen people were suddenly behind bars. "As far as it being a political announcement, I don't consider it a political announcement," he said. "I consider it a real eye-opener for people that believe marijuana operates different than organized crime. So, to that extent, is it a message? It wasn't timed to be a message, but, yeah, I think it's a message." Messages weren't hard to come by Thursday, as outside the DEA offices, Mason Tvert, campaign director of SAFER, which is backing the Amendment 44 initiative, held a counter news conference of his own. Tvert saw a direct connection between the announcement of the indictment - which had been returned Sept. 27 - and the vote that looms Nov. 7. "They're doing everything they can to scare people off, voting against an initiative that otherwise they would possibly be voting for," Tvert said. Tvert argued that alcohol has been tied to many more acts of violence than marijuana. He claimed that the timing of Thursday's news conference at the DEA, so close to Amendment 44 going to the voters, was a sign that the amendment's opponents smell defeat. URL: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/elections/article/0,2808,DRMN_24736_5080504,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by OverwhelmSam on October 20, 2006 at 06:41:55 PT He's Right You Know We are sending the messgae that it's okay for an adult to get high. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment