AMENDMENT WON'T MAKE MARIJUANA LEGAL

I often read, hear and see on TV the words "Amendment 44 would
legalize marijuana in Colorado." This is simply not true and again
uses fear and misinformation to "stir up" the public.

To quote one of the sentences in the overview of the amendment
proposal, "Judges have discretion when assessing fines, and the
maximum fine is not levied against all offenders." Under current law,
police in Denver can charge offenders under state law instead of city
law. In this context, marijuana is not legal. If it were completely
legal, one would be able to smoke it anywhere or have a bag of pot
sitting on a restaurant table without fear of retribution.

Marijuana won't be "legal" simply because one can still be fined,
thus it is still a misdemeanor and a crime. And this assertion from
an article in the News: "Amendment 44 . . . a statewide ballot
measure seeking to legalize marijuana use for adults . . . " is
completely incorrect. Will someone please inform the public with the
truth instead of fearmongering?

Marcel Peelen

Denver