Pubdate: Mon, 23 May 2011
Source: Denver Daily News (CO)
Copyright: 2011 Denver Daily News
Contact:  http://www.thedenverdailynews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4274
Author: Gene Davis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

RIFT BETWEEN MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION GROUPS

Divisions Within Industry Come into the Open

Rifts between two different groups pushing for the legalization of 
marijuana in Colorado continued to grow last week after one coalition 
went ahead with a so-called "conservative" attempt to legalize 
marijuana in 2012.

Legalize 2012, one of activist groups plotting a legalization ballot 
initiative, on Friday blasted another coalition for filing eight 
different versions of a legalization initiative that they say 
"appeals to law enforcement." Laura Kriho, a driving force behind 
Legalize 2012, was particularly upset with members of the coalition 
that includes the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), Drug Policy 
Alliance (DPA), Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER), 
and Sensible Colorado for filing their initiative with the Secretary 
of State without giving them much time to review the initiative's language.

"I'm not sure why they did this without telling anybody," said a 
statement from Kriho. "Even the legislature gave us more notice to 
comment on their proposed legislation than they did. It really shows 
their bad faith."

However, Mason Tvert of SAFER said Legalize 2012 was shown the 
language of the initiative about a week before they filed it. Tvert 
said they asked Kriho and Legalize 2012 for any suggestions and 
feedback on the language but did not receive any.

"Rather than provide any suggestions, they spent a week complaining," he said.

Tvert said the coalition submitted eight different versions of the 
legalization initiative to see what language would pass the Title 
Setting Review Board, which has to approve an initiative before it 
can go on the ballot. All of the versions have the same basic idea N' 
legalize marijuana use and possession of up to an ounce for people 
over the age of 21 N' though they differ when it comes to issues like 
taxes and earmarking.

Legalize 2012 is against the initiative's one-ounce limit because 
they believe it could create confusion since possession of two ounces 
or less of marijuana is currently considered a "petty offense." The 
group also worries that the one-ounce limit would require the 
Department of Revenue to convert their Patient and Medicine Tracking 
Database and Surveillance System to a "massive database" for 
marijuana users so authorities could track how much marijuana is 
bought and sold.

Legalize 2012 also opposes the versions of the initiative that would 
allow a 15-percent excise tax on the sale of marijuana.

"The lines have been clearly set now on the division of cannabis 
reform policy in Colorado," says a press release from Legalize 2012. 
"The MPP/DPA/Sensible/SAFER initiative has chosen to ignore any local 
efforts for a real legalization ballot initiative in favor of writing 
an initiative that appeals to law enforcement."

However, Tvert thinks the versions of the legalization initiative 
that were filed have the best possible language to achieve the goal 
of legalizing marijuana. He said while he might not agree with 
everything in the eight versions of the initiative, the language has 
been studied by lawyers, has taken into consideration the feedback of 
thousands of people and has a good chance of making it onto the ballot in 2012.

"It's unfortunate that (Legalize 2012) is spending its time and 
energy fracturing the marijuana reform movement and not working to 
build support for legalization instead," said Tvert. "It's easier to 
tear something down than it is to build something up."

Tvert is confident that their legalization initiative could pass even 
without the support of groups like Legalize 2012.

He pointed to polls that were issued this year that found 
approximately 50 percent of Coloradans support legalizing marijuana. 
SAFER ran a legalization effort in 2006 that failed on a 61-38 
percent vote, but Tvert believes more people have become in favor of 
legalization since then.

However, Legalize 2012 is less sure that the coalition's initiative 
will pass if it does not have the entire marijuana community's support.

"This unilateral move by MMP/DPA/Sensible/SAFER cast doubts that any 
cannabis law reform ballot initiative in Colorado would be 
successful," the group says in a press release.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom