POT VOTE MAY GET BACKING

Panel May Call for Few Prosecutions

The mayor's panel on marijuana policy might consider recommending
that the Denver city attorney halt most prosecutions of people who
possess less than an ounce of pot.

The idea was floated Monday by one of Mayor John Hickenlooper's
panelists, attorney Frank Moya. He said the panel would fulfill its
job to ensure last year's marijuana ordinance is implemented to the
"greatest extent possible" as required by the initiative.

More than 57 percent of Denver voters approved Initiative 100, an
ordinance making private adult marijuana possession of less than an
ounce the city's lowest law enforcement priority. As part of the
initiative the mayor was required to appoint an 11-member Marijuana
Policy Review Panel, which met for the first time Monday.

"Absent compelling reasons placed on record in open court, the Denver
city attorney will not seek convictions in city prosecutions for
petty offenses of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana,"
Moya said of his proposed recommendation.

Philip A. Cherner, another panel member and attorney, said he liked
Moya's idea, which the entire panel may consider voting on at its
next meeting. Cherner said the panel would simply be adhering to the
wishes of Denver voters.

"Politicians and law enforcement need to catch up to the public,"
said Cherner, who favored last year's initiative.

However, Vincent A. DiCroce, an assistant city attorney and another
panel member, said he felt that it may be too early for the panel to
vote on such a recommendation. DiCroce said he also wanted to see
whether the group had any authority to impose what types of
prosecutions his office should engage in.

Lawyer and panel member Brian Vicente said the group eventually will
prepare a report to the Denver City Council, which would include the
public safety, administrative and fiscal effects of the ordinance.