WHERE THERE'S TOKE, THERE'S IRE

Backers of Denver's ballot measure on marijuana say Mayor Hickenlooper
has made a "fortune selling a more harmful drug: alcohol."

Supporters of a pro-marijuana initiative Wednesday called Denver Mayor
John Hickenlooper a hypocrite for opposing their efforts.

During a rally outside the City and County Building, they unveiled a
banner that read: "What is the difference between Mayor Hickenlooper
and a marijuana dealer? The mayor has made his fortune selling a more
harmful drug: alcohol."

Although he has not actively campaigned against Initiative 100,
Hickenlooper has said he opposes the measure on the Nov. 1 ballot that
would make it legal for adults over 21 to possess up to an ounce of
marijuana in the city. Hickenlooper said he views marijuana as a
gateway drug that could prompt more drug use.

His spokeswoman called the rally a publicity stunt.

"Mayor Hickenlooper is too busy focused on issues that actually matter
to Denver to spend time debating a legally irrelevant initiative that
- - due to existing state law - will change nothing in Denver," said his
spokeswoman, Lindy Eichenbaum Lent.

Even if the measure passes, police say they will enforce a state
marijuana-possession law.

The mayor's office, though, didn't want any hard feelings. The protest
prompted Cole Finegan, Hickenlooper's acting chief of staff, to
contemplate whether he should orchestrate a shipment of Oreos and
Doritos to the 20 pro-marijuana backers who attended the rally.