Breckenridge Votes Overwhelmingly To Legalize Marijuana

DENVER — The Colorado ski town of Breckenridge has voted overwhelmingly to legalize marijuana.

Early returns Tuesday night showed the proposal winning with 72 percent of the vote. The measure would allow adults over 21 to have up to 1 ounce of marijuana.

The measure is largely symbolic because pot possession remains a state crime for people without medical clearance. But supporters said they wanted to send a message to local law enforcement to stop busting small-time pot smokers.

The vote comes as communities nationwide are struggling with how to enforce pot laws at a time when medical marijuana has surged in popularity.

Comments

[SunflowerPipes]

It is the stigma that scares many people who use smoking pipes to keep it a secret. One of the problems inhibiting legalization is that people who smoke a glass pipe are not considered serious or mature. It is the public to make our choices known and to make sure our voices are heard. With the economy the way it is today this is the best chance to change the law. Send a letter make, send an email make a phone call, every hand written Letter that makes it to a representative is considered to be the voice of thousands of people who did not take the time to write and that is a power we all have.
http://www.SunflowerPipes.com

[cookiecutter]

Marijuana was legalized in my home by a 100% margin in a referendum held here on Thursday. There will be no recount.

[jonjoncano]

I run a money management firm in Houston, TX. I do not drug test my employees. In fact, I know many of them that have stressful days who go home and smoke to take the edge off. They do not show up to work late or have hangovers. Some of the most productive employees I have ever worked for. I am a huge proponent for legalizing and if voters would just wake up and realize the stupidity of laws on the books we would become a much safer country for it. Stupid laws will never stop amusing me. Just so you know, it is illegal to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next door neighbor in Denver.

[bluize]

Over 70%, that is huge. Do us proud, show America how and why this will work.

[rdpuck]

AHHH Yes the Kingdom comes thru !

[FreedomAgain]

Considering that our society may be on the brink of collapse from running out of oil, it seems a big waste for cops to fly and drive around using the last of our oil to stop people from smoking marijuana, especially since its a victimless crime and shouldn't be a crime to begin with.

[GODZILLA1]

Way to go Breckenridge; maybe the trend will begin with you and spread throughout the state!

[washlib]

lets hope this is just the beginning of a new dawn of American compassion, pragmatism and support of human rights.

The time for mj & hemp legalization has arrived!

[MalloMel]

Real Democracy is great, isn't it?

[oscar420]

The ball is now rolling even faster! Now lets get California to be the first state to legalize. Help out in anyway you can; volunteer, donate or just pass the word along!

http://www.californiacannabisinitiative.org

Legalizes hemp, expunges marijuana related convictions from peoples records, doesn't limit you to a 5x5 square foot area to practice horticulture, allows non government entities to research this plant w/out government interferance and prohibits discrimination for the use of said plant. There is so much more to this but I'll let you all read this initiative at the above link.

Congratulations Breckenrigde for showing the U.S. how things get done!!

[IcemanXTS]

Is this the first town in America to legalize it for all uses? And is it allowed for retail sale or is this vote just about possession only? And how is it going to be taxed?

Ha! I'm so curious and I don't even smoke.

[OkieIntellectual]

Its not actually going to change anything. I lived up there a couple of years ago and the police pretty much do what they want. The Breckenridge police chief has already said that they will coordinate with the Summit County sheriffs office to arrest offenders and have them processed through that department instead of the city cop-shop. Things will continue as they have for some time; folks will still smoke, local residents will still usually be able to score a gram-bag whenever they want, and the cops will still bust you for it if they catch you, unless you give them your stash. Its typical small-town politics.

[drjasonmd]

Since when do we treat public health problems with law enforcement tactics anyway?

What is it we're supposed to be trying to achieve?

other than control...

[AndyWright68]

If you are going buy, grow, carry or smoke marijuana you have to see this:

http://www.nevergetbusted.com/

I watched all his dvds.(you can search and find the torrents for free) and he delivers. If you follow his techniques you will never get busted.

[AndyWright68]

WATCH this clip from Never Get Busted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z9ftq4yODQ

A former narcotics interdiction officer shows you how to hide your stash.

[drjasonmd]

Which part of the US Constitution gives the Congress the power to prohibit drug use anyway?

[Nicon]

I dont remember the number, but its the inter-state commerce clause.

[drjasonmd]

That's assuming you've crossed a state line, which is not necessarily the case. Pretty thin premise to launch a multi-billion dollar war with no end.

[sadwitness]

Meanwhile, not far from the mellow Breckenridge, Denver is ranked as the most stressed city in the Nation by the APA. More than one-third of Denverites ranked their average stress levels as an 8, 9 or 10, (on a 10-point scale) and nearly half of Denverites reported increased stress over the past year. They need a happy trip to Breckenridge. Can anyone say roadtrip?