Pubdate: Mon, 11 Jun 2012
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: John Ingold

OUTSIDE CASH PERMEATES POT ISSUE

Friends, Foes of Initiative Lean on Out-Of-State Gifts

Supporters of a ballot initiative to legalize limited possession of 
marijuana in Colorado have collected and spent millions of dollars, 
much of it from out-of-state sources, according to the most recent 
campaign-finance filings.

Meanwhile, a group formed to oppose the initiative has received the 
majority of its contributions from outside Colorado.

Five groups registered with the Colorado secretary of state's office 
to support Amendment 64 have collected just shy of $2 million in 
combined monetary and in-kind contributions. That includes about $1.8 
million in monetary contributions. All but about $16,500 of the 
monetary contributions have come from groups or individuals listing 
out-of-state addresses, according to a Denver Post analysis of the filings.

The five campaign committees have spent close to $1.2 million on 
everything from signature-gathering to polling to office supplies.

Mason Tvert, a leader of the pro-Amendment 64 campaign, said the 
contributions indicate the national interest the measure has generated.

"This is the best opportunity we've ever had to end marijuana 
prohibition at the state level and begin regulating it like alcohol," 
said Tvert, whose group calls itself the Campaign to Regulate 
Marijuana Like Alcohol.

The excitement for the campaign doesn't extend to the offices of 
Smart Colorado, a group registered to oppose Amendment 64.

Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck announced last week that he 
would be organizing the "leadership group" for the committee, which 
he said would have help from behind-the-scenes politicos Maria Garcia 
Berry and Roger Sherman.

"Marijuana is a dangerous drug. It's an addictive drug," Buck said.

Smart Colorado has reported $15,000 in contributions - $10,000 of 
that coming from the Florida-based Save Our Society from Drugs.

Smart Colorado's biggest reported expenditure so far has been to a 
polling firm. It has reported only a $104 payment to Berry and 
Sherman's consulting firm and no in-kind contributions, causing Tvert 
to question its filings.

Sherman told The Colorado Independent that the firm is donating its time.

Amendment 64 would legalize possession for any purpose of 1 ounce of 
marijuana for people 21 and older.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom