Pubdate: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO) Copyright: 2014 Colorado Springs Independent Contact: http://www.csindy.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536 Author: Bryce Crawford NO LOGO FOR YOU, OLD-YOUNG SPLIT ON POT REP AND COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH SAYS WEED AND SCHOOL DON'T MIX It seems like, in these parts, there's nothing quite like a new logo to piss the people off, and so it was when the state unveiled the byCOLORADO campaign last August, which was created as a royalty-free way to promote products made in Colorado. Those negative feelings came to a head at the beginning of the legislative session, when Carbondale lawmaker Rep. Bob Rankin introduced a bill that would ask the voters to decide if the logo stayed or went. (It died in committee.) It figures, then, that certain businesses that did want to use it were not allowed to: marijuana centers, as Colorado Springs resident Don McKay found out a couple weeks ago when he was told that companies in federally illegal industries were ineligible. "It surprises me that your department, supported by Colorado taxpayers, does not endorse an industry that was developed primarily by a majority vote indicating the desires of those same taxpayers," McKay, the co-owner of Southern Colorado Medical Marijuana, replied to the state in late January. "A requirement that every company that uses your logo is in full compliance of all state, local, and federal laws is unenforceable, arbitrary, and subject to significant personal bias while reviewing applications." Contacted by the Indy, logo program director Teri Cavanaugh said the decision stands, and explained further. "This goal is focused on building Colorado's reputation as a maker-economy, not just a vacation destination," she writes. "Since the program includes this outward focus, we are currently authorizing only businesses that are legal both locally and nationally. The program is just getting off the ground, as is legal MJ in Colorado. Our intention is to monitor national changes in MJ laws and be prepared to adjust the byCOLORADO rules as they evolve." Keef crumbs A new Quinnipiac University poll conducted between Jan. 29 and Feb. 2 revealed that a small majority of Colorado voters polled, 51 percent, think legalized marijuana is hurting the state's reputation. "Among voters 18 to 29, 57 percent say legal marijuana is good for the state's image," reported the Associated Press. "Among voters older than 65, 67 percent say it's bad." On Jan. 27, the El Paso County Board of Health passed Resolution No. 2014-04. The subject? Opposition to recreational marijuana, naturally. "WHEREAS marijuana is not a benign substance ... smoke is an irritant . use is associated with a higher likelihood of dropping out of school .... [it] compromises judgment," and for a host of other reasons, "the Board of Health encourages the governing boards of El Paso County, and municipalities within El Paso County, to discourage the non-medical use of marijuana." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D