SAFETY AT HEART OF POT DEBATE

Amendment 44 Would Let People Possess Less Than an
Ounce

Among the many things voters have to consider Nov. 7 is a measure
that, if passed, would make Colorado the first state in the nation to
allow adults to possess small amounts of marijuana.

Amendment 44, which is similar to a law passed by Denver residents
last year, would make it legal for adults over the age of 21 to
possess up to one ounce of marijuana. Opponents say it will lead to
increased marijuana use among children.

Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is a petty offense
that carries a $100 fine.

"We feel it can only harm society by making it more accessible," said
David Evans of the Drug Free Schools Coalition of Colorado. "If it's
more accessible to adults, it's more accessible to children."

The proposal does not target children nor do supporters want to make
marijuana more accessible to children, said Mason Tvert, campaign
director for Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER,
which is campaigning for Amendment 44.

Marijuana is a safer alternative to alcohol, Tvert said, and
proponents want adults to be able to enjoy that alternative. Unlike
alcohol, marijuana use alone has never killed anyone, Tvert said, and
alcohol contributes to many problems such as violence and sexual assault.

"We punish adults who make a rational and safe choice to use
marijuana," he said. "What is wrong with simply making the choice to
use marijuana instead?"

If this measure is passed, an increase in emergency room visits, crime
and possibly car accidents will increase, Evans said. Marijuana is not
a safe drug and there are no provisions in the proposed law that would
require responsible use, he said.

"If you legalize marijuana, the rate of use will increase and we'll
have more problems," Evans said. "I just don't think we need to
legalize another problem."

If the measure is passed, possessing less than an ounce of marijuana
would be legal, but growing and selling it will remain illegal, as
will driving under the influence of the drug, Tvert said. It would
also still be illegal to give marijuana to anyone under 21, and
possession of marijuana by anyone under the age of 21 would still be
illegal, he said.

If an adult were to give marijuana to a minor, that adult could be
charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Contributing to the delinquency of a minor - which Colorado law
defines as encouraging or inducing a minor to break a law - is a
felony that carries a penalty of up to six years in prison.

"We want it to be a felony to give marijuana to a minor," Tvert said.