BIG MOMENT FOR MARIJUANA

Battle Over Amendment 44 Heats Up As Voting Deadline Approaches

One side claims to be "troubled" by the idea of the legalization of
marijuana, while a member of the other side calls the current laws
"Draconian at best."

Either way, voters revisiting the polls on Tuesday to choose yes or
no on Amendment 44 will be deciding on a heated issue that burst into
flames recently when Gov. Bill Owens and supporters faced off at a
Denver rally.

The Amendment represents the only statutory change to Colorado law on
this year's ballot, so it's the only proposed amendment that will not
affect the Colorado State Constitution. This fact does not detract
from the passion exhibited by members representing both sides of the issue.

Mason Tvert, campaign director for the support of the proposed
amendment and director of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable
Recreation), headed up the drive to collect signatures to get the
amendment on this year's ballot. Tvert and other volunteers managed
to collect 130,815 signatures - less than 68,000 were required.

"The initiative is designed to remove the threat of arrest for adult
marijuana use because we think adults, over 21 - of age to use
alcohol - should be allowed to make the safer choice: to use
marijuana instead," said Tvert. "There are a number of positive
health effects of marijuana, and they're well-documented."

Beverly Kinard, the former director of Drug Watch Colorado and
president of the Christian Drug Education Center, has been inspired
to be a leading opponent to any efforts to legalize marijuana by the
story of her son, who began smoking at the age of 12. Kinard, who
also directs GOCAM (Guarding Our Children Against Marijuana), and her
husband, David (a retired Denver Police detective) were approached by
their son when he was 17 because he felt he needed help. He suffered
a subsequent mental breakdown and was labeled disabled by his doctors.

"I went to 30-some different cities in Colorado from back in June and
July," Beverly said. "I first started working on this Dec. 29 of last
year when it (news of the amendment) first hit the newspapers last
year in Denver."

Dr. Robert Melamede, associate professor at the University of
Colorado in Colorado Springs, has researched free radicals (highly
reactive chemicals our bodies produce as a byproduct of how we burn
fuel) and DNA repair for decades. Dr. Melamede has been interested in
cannabinoids for years, having started to consume cannabis when he
entered college at age 16.

"What we now know is that we all make marijuana-like compounds, and
those compounds help to homeostatically regulate and balance our
biochemistry, and they do that literally almost everywhere in your
body," says Dr. Melamede. "Marijuana mimics the way our bodies
normally work. In many respects, it can be viewed as an anti-aging drug."

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, Governor Bill Owens and
Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton disagree with Dr. Melamede's findings.

"I am particularly troubled by the message of the proponents that
marijuana is a safe alternative to alcohol," said Suthers. "I think
it is both a incorrect and irresponsible message. I am particularly
concerned about the message it sends to kids."

Contrary to debate regarding the amendment's function to legalize
marijuana distribution to minors, the amendment will preserve the
Class 4 felony of distributing the substance to minors.

"The only thing that will change in Colorado if this initiative
passes is that if someone over 21 is found to be in possession of
less than an ounce of marijuana, they will no longer receive a $100
citation and Class 2 petty offense and will no longer have that drug
crime on their record," said Tvert.

Tvert says that there are no laws against private use of marijuana,
only laws against public use and display. These laws will not change
under the provisions of Amendment 44.

Michael Moore, a father a Drug Enforcement Administration employee
from the Denver area field division, stands against the amendment.

"I wouldn't say it's a major issue, but it is an issue. It opens up a door."

Some Local and Regional Voices

Summit Cove resident Stan White has lived in Summit County since
1982. He has two children.

"I think Colorado can be a better place to live by not lying to
children ... As a parent, I just cannot lie to my children. I will
lose their credibility," says White. "If we lie to our children and
tell them that cannabis is bad, and then they try it and find it not
to be bad while we tell them not to use hard drugs, then they're
probably not going to believe us.

"It's really insane that the federal government places cannabis in
the same category as heroin and LSD."

State Representative Gary Lindstrom supports the passage of Amendment 44.

"I was a police officer for several years, and I've always felt that
(Colorado and national) marijuana laws are Draconian at best. They
virtually have no purpose whatsoever," said Lindstrom. "I just think
that the time has come."

Summit County Sheriff John Minor is against the legalization of
marijuana and says he'll uphold the law whatever the outcome.

"I will follow the will of the people for justice with compassion," said Minor.

[Sidebar]

AMENDMENT 44 STATES:

"Shall there be an amendment to section 18-18-406 (1) of the Colorado
revised statutes making legal the possession of one ounce or less of
marihuana for any person twenty-one years of age or older? (YES or NO)."