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