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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
I am a fervent proponent for the legalization of marijuana whether it is used for medicinal or recreational purposes. But Safer Colorado's most recent legislative push to make marijuana the city's "lowest law enforcement priority" is nothing short of a ridiculous farce aimed at garnering media attention for a piece of legislation that accomplishes nothing. It is a lame attempt at a symbolic victory for Colorado potheads to repair their shattered dreams after the demoralizing defeat of a statewide initiative that would have legalized the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana for adults.
Mason Tvert, the man behind Safer Colorado, is a genius of sorts, a political guru and a true grassroots specialist. But he has failed to deliver this time around. His ability to drum up support for issues regarding marijuana is amazing. He was able to get enough signatures to add an initiative to the November 2005 ballot that made adult possession of less than ounce legal in the city of Denver. It passed by an overwhelming majority. However, state law overrides city law. It was a victory of sorts, but a small one at that. He was on the right track when he was successful in getting the same initiative on the state ballot in November 2006. This was a logical progression in his attempt to legalize marijuana. He won at the city level - now it was on to the state. But he had no such luck, as an overwhelming majority defeated the initiative. Shot down. Ouch. The damn conservatives in southern Colorado screwed everything up for stoners statewide and prevented the making of history.
But enough about the past.
Tvert now wants to make marijuana the city's "lowest law enforcement priority," whatever that means. Why? Because he thinks the city shouldn't waste its time or resources busting potheads. I agree with this, but as long as pot is illegal on a state level this initiative is going to do no good.
According to Tvert, there have been 1,400-plus possession arrests in Denver County in 2006, the highest number in the city's history. This is no doubt due to the fact that stoners thought they could smoke pot freely in Denver because it's "legal," when in reality state law still presides over Denver law. Sorry guys, but ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Kristen Kronke, Denver police captain, said most marijuana arrests are in direct correlation with other crimes. A perfect example of this comes from Sara Tafoya, who testified in front of the city council about Denver police running rampant with possession arrests. She was pulled over for not having her headlights on and was searched by police who found marijuana. Here's a thought stoners of the world, leave your stash of grass at home. Or if you are going to carry it around, don't get stoned and forget to turn on your headlights. Be smart with the greens. If you don't break any other laws while carrying, you're probably not going to get caught. Stupidity, not possession, gets one busted.
This latest marijuana initiative was brought before the Denver City Council on Aug. 27. The city council had to OK the initiative for the ballot before it could be put there. The city council voted unanimously to put the initiative on the ballot, but did so reluctantly.
"I think it is an unserious effort - an effort aimed at street theater, at capturing media attention, at making light of it," Councilwoman Carol Boigan said, as reported by the Denver Post. "Were this a serious effort, it would be at the state."
Councilman Chris Nevitt also chimed in similar sentiments, according to the Denver Post. "I'm in agreement with a lot of the impulse behind this ballot initiative," he said. "In my opinion, the war on drugs is as misguided, wasteful and ultimately as futile an enterprise as the war in Iraq. ... Unfortunately, I am extremely disappointed that this particular ballot initiative appears to do so little of any actual substance."
Well I couldn't agree with the city council more. Man I hate agreeing with politicians, it makes me cringe. But in this case they are right. This initiative is worthless and will achieve nothing. Sure Tvert views it as a success, but in reality it is a digression of drastic proportions. He went from almost making history to asking the city of Denver to leave potheads alone.
This initiative is a huge waste of time, effort and anything else that went in to getting it on the ballot. I've even wasted column space on it. But Tvert did succeed on one level: he got plenty of media attention
Sorry stoners. This initiative may get you off the couch or away from World of Warcraft to go vote, but there is no need. Stay on the couch, or in front of the computer, hit your bong and continue with life as usual.
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