Pubdate: Wed, 26 Sep 2012 Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO) Copyright: 2012 Colorado Springs Independent Contact: http://www.csindy.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536 Author: Bryce Crawford A Q-AND-A ON 64 64 questions The Coloradans 4 Cannabis Patient Rights group has a busy week coming up. There's the monthly patient meeting at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 26 at Lofty's (287 E. Fountain Blvd., c4cpr.org). But in sexier news, Audrey Hatfield's group is hosting a question-and-answer session addressing the pros and cons of the marijuana-decriminalization issue, Amendment 64. The event - scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27 at the Penrose Library (20 N. Cascade Ave., c4cpr.org) - became necessary after C4CPR's Facebook page was inundated with both sets of arguments throughout the month of August. Supporters in each camp changed their Facebook profile photos to "Yes on ..." and "No on ..." versions of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol's logo. Despite the Q-and-A, the argument goes on, with the event's Facebook listing acting as the newest focal point for arguments around provoked federal intervention, current state standards and (of course) ad hominem attacks. As Colorado Springs patient and MMJ advocate Jesse Vriese wrote in response to one comment, "I certainly feel persecuted. At least on this page ..." You (don't) like me Speaking of the amendment, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has been the target of both a flurry of antagonism and support in the past week, with the usual suspects weighing in. The Colorado Education Association issued a statement opposing the measure, with president Kerrie Dallman saying she was "incredibly concerned" about how a greater availability of marijuana would affect students. In its own release, CRMLA struck back, saying, "It was CEA that suggested tax revenue raised through the initiative should benefit public school construction in Colorado. We agreed it would be a good use of new revenue, and we are proud to say that Amendment 64 would direct tens of millions of dollars per year toward improving Colorado schools." Later, groups Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Blacks in Law Enforcement of America, and the National Latino Officers Association all endorsed Amendment 64. The most intellectually stimulating part was the head of anti-64 group Smart Colorado calling LEAP member and retired Denver police lieutenant Tony Ryan a "pro-pot rent-a-cop." The most recent endorsement comes from the Big Ball of Crazy. Former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo wrote he is "endorsing Amendment 64 not despite my conservative beliefs, but because of them." Here we go again, again The Associated Press reported Sept. 14 that Republican state senator Steve King will again push his THC-DUI bill in this upcoming session of the Legislature. As Ivan Moreno wrote, "Lawmakers have previously rejected the measure three times." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom