Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

Legalize Responsibly: Would you vote for it?
Posted: 11.03.2011 at 8:47 PM
Updated: 11.04.2011 at 7:15 AM
26
 / FOX21: file photo
Photo

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It's been almost 10 years since Colorado voters passed a constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana.

The Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry gives patients currently receiving treatment for a debilitating condition the option to use marijuana for medical use.

But now with rumblings of an initiative to legalize the drug in 2012 and a separate TV campaign focused on Colorado Springs, the idea is gaining momentum.

The Citizens for Responsible Legalization, an organization formed by Coloradans, is working on an education campaign for the legalization, regulation and taxation of marijuana.

The six week TV campaign was aimed at educating Colorado Springs voters and bringing a new approach to the current drug policy.

Marijuana issues in Colorado
Marijuana-shaped candy 
Banks close MMJ accounts 
Should marijuana be legal? 

So far, more than 90,000 people have signed off and agreed that legalizing marijuana needs to be taken to the voters.

Scott Allen of Colorado Springs is opposed to legalizing marijuana.

"It's not that I'm adverse to it," Allen said. "I think it has its place in medical pharmacology, but it should have limits."

However, Kim Madden, also of Colorado Springs, is all for it.

"I think there's a lot of people out there making money illegally, and I think it should be used to make our city and state better."

Marijuana is the most abused and widely-available drug in Colorado.

According to a U.S. Department of Justice report from 2003, 7.8 percent of Colorado residents ages 12 and older reported having abused marijuana in the year prior to the survey.

The goal of the legalize initiative is to regulate marijuana like alcohol, with the legal age of consent being 21 years old and with a limit of up to one ounce of marijuana.

It would be taxed and, according to the organization, bring in over $100 million annually in tax revenue and almost $120 million in police savings.

"It's our hope that if Colorado votes to regulate marijuana for adult use the Feds will once again go hands off and say 'let's let Coloradans decide what they want to do,'" Brian Vicente with Legalize Responsibly said.

A hands off approach is not how the federal government has responded to Colorado's expanding medical marijuana industry.

In a letter from the U.S. Attorney John Walsh to the Colorado Attorney General from April, Walsh wrote, "The Department of Justice remains firmly committed to enforcing the federal law and the Controlled Substances Act in all states. Thus if the provisions of H.B. 1043 are enacted end become law, the Department will continue to carefully consider all appropriate civil and criminal legal remedies to prevent manufacture and distribution of marijuana."

The controversial bill has since been signed by Gov. Hickenlooper and drew criticism for adjusting the legislation, allowing the manufacturing and distribution of marijuana, which is prohibited under federal law.

In a written statement the Department of Revenue Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, which regulates the sale of medical marijuana, said:

"The question of the legalization of marijuana is outside the scope of our purview, and therefore it would not be appropriate for the MMED to comment."

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA
Should marijuana for non-medical purposes be legal in the state of Colorado?
Read comments here

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Couple who died in Black Forest Fire identified
Travis Ruiz   |  1 hour, 35 minutes ago  |  6 comments
Thumbnail
Wildfires burn north of Colorado Springs
FOX21 Continuous News Desk  |  Today at 12:30 PM  |  14 comments
Thumbnail
Continuing to give back, after losing her home
Sam Baranowski  |  Today at 8:00 AM  |  9 comments
Follow FOX21
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
KidsCast
Your 4th, 5th or 6th grade child can do the morning weather
Beauty & Wellness
Tips to improve your health
Financial Services
Experts in financial planning
Recreation and Travel
Plan your trip
ADVERTISEMENT