Breckenridge Legalizes Marijuana
The ski town of Breckenridge, Colorado, is the latest municipality to remove all penalties for private adult marijuana possession and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. As the Summit Daily reported:
Breckenridge residents voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana and paraphernalia Tuesday under town law. In early returns, some 72 percent of voters approved the measure.The vote means that, effective Jan. 1, people 21 and up in Breckenridge will be able to legally possess one ounce or less of the drug.
This is a noteworthy event in and of itself, but one has to wonder whether legal marijuana could be just what Colorado's slumping ski industry needs. Ski resorts are offering everything from large discounts to specialty cheeseburgers to attract people to their towns. Perhaps offering skiers and snowboarders a hassle-free environment in which they can relax and recreate with marijuana could do the trick.
As the organizers of the measure pointed out in their press release, the measure could also give extreme sports enthusiasts a safer alternative to alcohol when it comes to post-ride partying.
"This votes demonstrates that Breckenridge citizens overwhelmingly believe that adults should not be punished for making the safer choice to use marijuana instead of alcohol," said Sean McAllister, Breckenridge attorney and chair of Sensible Breckenridge.
After all, when's the last time you heard about a bar brawl breaking out because people got a little too stoned? Or a man becoming abusive with his wife because he had been out smoking pot? Chances are not very often, according to virtually every objective study ever done on marijuana and alcohol. Whereas alcohol has been found to contribute to aggressive and violent behavior, a link has never been established when it comes to marijuana.
It's too early to tell how the city's law enforcement officials will handle marijuana in light of the vote, but it's safe to say there is plenty of support behind letting marijuana consumers alone. As the presser mentioned:
The campaign, which had no formal opposition, received a chorus of local support including endorsements from Breckenridge Town Councilman Jeffrey Bergeron, Former Colorado State Representative and Breckenridge resident, Gary Lindstrom, and the Summit Daily News.
Mason Tvert is executive director of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation) and coauthor of Marijuana Is Safer: So why are we driving people to drink? (Chelsea Green, August 2009)
Follow Mason Tvert on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SAFERchoice
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The nine-member council that's to be sworn into office Nov. 17 will reflect a sharply divided city, with the real progressives holding a tenuous 5-4 majority.
When even old George Will thinks Mary Jane is riding the Freedom Express, you know that national legalization can't be too far away.
Jessica Corry and Robert J. Corry, Jr.: Pot Wars: A Bipartisan Failure
Democrats calculate they will have nothing to gain by legalizing. Republicans fear angering a socially conservative base of voters all too eager to forget its beer-bonging college days.
Jessica Corry and Robert J. Corry, Jr.: Colorado Can Lead Nation In Marijuana Policy
While some regulation of any industry may be appropriate at times, medical marijuana is being unfairly villainized by those who disagree with the state's voters
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Medical Marijuana Hearing Wraps Up In IA
The last of 4 hearings took place inside Harrah's Casino in Council Bluffs. The board now must issue its recommendation to the Legislature.
Terry Mitchell supports the use of medical marijuana. He suffers from a degenerative disc disease causing him to slouch and use a cane to get around.
"I can't stand straight up," Mitchell said. "With smoking cannabis, I can get just as close as I can get."
Without the drug, Mitchell said his ability deteriorates.
"By the time two weeks rolls around, I look like a gorilla. I'm dragging my knuckles on the ground and my knees are buckled, and it even hurts to try and straighten up."
WAY TO BRING IT BRECKENRIDGE !!!!!!!!
Resort employees still need to pee in a cup.
Will be a surge in sales of detox teas I suppose.
Cannabis unlike Alcohol leave the user ready to ride hard again in the morning, not hung over craving fast food.
Ha! Unless you pick up the bong as soon as you wake up......then it's a non-event day, spent on the couch, calling in sick, and wondering why you can't get anything done. What the f*&^ happened to my lighter? Oh, never mind. It's in my hand.
Well done Mason, we applaud your efforts.
What is your take on the recent ruckus with the health board regarding MM growers/caretakers?
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