DEA HITS THE FUND-RAISING TRAIL

The Drug Enforcement Administration is looking for donations to help
in its fight to keep marijuana illegal in Colorado. The DEA hopes to
defeat a statewide ballot measure that would allow adults 21 and older
to possess up to an ounce of pot.

SAFER Colorado, the organization that sponsored the ballot measure,
says the DEA, a federal agency, has no business using taxpayer money
to involve itself in political campaigns. But DEA officials maintain
that their actions are legal under federal law.

SAFER Colorado, an acronym for Safer Alternative for Enjoyable
Recreation, is the same organization that successfully campaigned last
year on a ballot measure that made it legal for adults over 21 to
possess less than an ounce of marijuana in Denver. Although that
measure passed, Denver officials have stated their intent to fine pot
smokers under state laws. The statewide ballot initiative would
eliminate that option, while leaving home-rule cities free to
prosecute marijuana users as they see fit.