LEGAL POT ACTIVISTS ANGRY AT POLICE

Possession Busts Rise Despite City Voters' OK

Marijuana legalization advocates say they are furious with Denver
police for arresting more people for misdemeanor possession after
city residents voted to legalize the weed in 2005. Mason Tvert, who
led the charge to get marijuana legalized, said the group will hold a
noon news conference today at the steps of City Hall to decry the findings.

Arrests for most minor crimes rose in Denver last year, and rose
faster than marijuana arrests, following a change in policing philosophy.

But Tvert said nothing can justify an 11 percent spike in marijuana
possession arrests last year.

"If there's one, it's too many," Tvert said. "They (police) have the
discretion not to arrest."

Although 54 percent of Denver voters approved legalizing possession
of small amounts of marijuana by adults, it is still illegal under
state law. Denver police have always said that they would continue to
enforce state law.

By December of last year, Denver reported that arrests for all crimes
were up 14 percent, more than the increase in marijuana arrests.

And misdemeanor arrests were up even more.

Tvert said that blacks make up 32 percent of those arrested for
possession, while comprising 11 percent of the city's population.

Tvert plans to have retired Denver police Lt. Tony Ryan on hand to
speak for retired law enforcement officers who favor legalization.

Ryan said that many lawmen have known for years that "marijuana is
not the evil, demonic gateway drug that some want you to believe it is."

One person not sharing that idea is City Councilman Charlie Brown.

"It's still state law," Brown said. "We can't be selective about the
laws we enforce."

[sidebar]

MISDEMEANOR POT BUSTS

. 2003 2,151

. 2004 1,912

. 2005 2,196

. 2006 2,446

Source - Denver Safety Office Of Policy Analysis