POT PETITIONS SEEK REDUCED ENFORCEMENT

Mason Tvert holds a news conference at the City and County Building
after submitting petitions for an initiative reducing enforcement of
the state law on marijuana possession. (Post / John Leyba)

A pro-marijuana group Wed nesday turned in well over the number of
signatures needed for a ballot issue that would make marijuana
possession Denver's "lowest law-enforcement priority."

"People here are sick and tired of their city police and prosecutors
punishing adults for using a drug less harmful than alcohol," said
Mason Tvert, spokesperson for SAFER (Safer Alternative for Enjoyable
Recreation) Denver.

The initiative, which will be on the ballot in November if enough of
the more than 10,000 signatures are verified, applies to adults over
age 21 and possession of 1 ounce of marijuana or less.

In 2005, the group spearheaded the measure that made it legal for
adults in Denver to carry a small amount of the drug.

But people continue to be arrested and prosecuted for marijuana
possession in Denver, a citation that according to state law carries a
$100 fine.

Denver police follow Colorado state law, said Sonny Jackson, a Police
Department spokesman.

"A law violation is a law violation," he said.

But the proposed initiative could change how police approach marijuana
possession. SAFER is asking that they ignore a marijuana infraction as
they would jaywalking, Tvert said.

Similar laws have been adopted in cities in Washington, California,
Montana and Arkansas.

In Seattle, the law led to a significant drop in marijuana arrests and
allowed police to focus on more-serious crimes, Tvert said.

While crimes against people take priority, Jackson said, there is no
pecking order when it comes to crime.

"You don't turn your head on one crime versus another," he said.