News (Media Awareness Project) - US CO: Medical Marijuana Foes Irked |
| Title: | US CO: Medical Marijuana Foes Irked |
| Published On: | 2000-09-07 |
| Source: | Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 09:34:53 |
MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOES IRKED
Legislative Blue Book Omits Group's Argument
Critics of a plan to legalize the medical use of marijuana say the November ballot issue sends the wrong message to Colorado's children, but they won't get that argument in the state's official Blue Book.
Lawmakers decided against adding the warning Wednesday after the measure's supporters said its passage actually would send the right message to youngsters that marijuana is not for recreational use.
Rather than sending mixed signals in the state's official publication explaining the pros and cons of ballot issues facing Colorado voters on Nov. 7, members on the Legislative Council voted to scrap both arguments.
About 1.6 million Blue Books will be printed by the state to describe the 12 measures that will be on the ballot. The medical marijuana proposal was discussed at length as legislators spent a second full day working on the pamphlet's wording.
If Amendment 20 is approved by voters, it would allow the medical use of marijuana in Colorado for those seriously or chronically ill if approved by a doctor.
Former U.S. Attorney Mike Norton, who is general counsel and treasurer for Coloradans Against Legalizing Marijuana, urged that the pamphlet include a warning that "government endorsed and approved marijuana, even though by a vote of the people, would send a terrible message to our children."
But Luther Symons, a spokesman for Coloradans for Medical Rights 2000, argued that passage of similar measures in Oregon, Washington and elsewhere actually had sent a good message to youngsters.
"When viewed as medicine, it sends the opposite message to children," Symons said. "It sends a message it is a serious drug and is not to be used recreationally."
Opponents and backers of the various ballot issues jockeyed for the wording that they thought was most favorable to them. In one case, the argument involved whether to use bullets or checkmarks to explain requirements of Amendment 24, a ballot measure designed to control unchecked growth.
Attorney Joan Fritsche, who represented opponents to the measure, argued that bullets should be used in place of checkmarks which "connote approval while bullet points are neutral." Legislators, with their staff's recommendation, agreed and approved the change.
The Blue Books are scheduled to go to the printer Monday.
Legislative Blue Book Omits Group's Argument
Critics of a plan to legalize the medical use of marijuana say the November ballot issue sends the wrong message to Colorado's children, but they won't get that argument in the state's official Blue Book.
Lawmakers decided against adding the warning Wednesday after the measure's supporters said its passage actually would send the right message to youngsters that marijuana is not for recreational use.
Rather than sending mixed signals in the state's official publication explaining the pros and cons of ballot issues facing Colorado voters on Nov. 7, members on the Legislative Council voted to scrap both arguments.
About 1.6 million Blue Books will be printed by the state to describe the 12 measures that will be on the ballot. The medical marijuana proposal was discussed at length as legislators spent a second full day working on the pamphlet's wording.
If Amendment 20 is approved by voters, it would allow the medical use of marijuana in Colorado for those seriously or chronically ill if approved by a doctor.
Former U.S. Attorney Mike Norton, who is general counsel and treasurer for Coloradans Against Legalizing Marijuana, urged that the pamphlet include a warning that "government endorsed and approved marijuana, even though by a vote of the people, would send a terrible message to our children."
But Luther Symons, a spokesman for Coloradans for Medical Rights 2000, argued that passage of similar measures in Oregon, Washington and elsewhere actually had sent a good message to youngsters.
"When viewed as medicine, it sends the opposite message to children," Symons said. "It sends a message it is a serious drug and is not to be used recreationally."
Opponents and backers of the various ballot issues jockeyed for the wording that they thought was most favorable to them. In one case, the argument involved whether to use bullets or checkmarks to explain requirements of Amendment 24, a ballot measure designed to control unchecked growth.
Attorney Joan Fritsche, who represented opponents to the measure, argued that bullets should be used in place of checkmarks which "connote approval while bullet points are neutral." Legislators, with their staff's recommendation, agreed and approved the change.
The Blue Books are scheduled to go to the printer Monday.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
