2008 Woodie Awards
Marijuana: Federally illegal, locally acceptable
Ashley Moreland/Online Reporter
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Arts and Entertainment
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Denver voted to make possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults 21 or older the lowest law enforcement priority on Nov. 6.In 2005 the city voted to allow adults 21 or older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana without penalty in the city.
However, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, non-felony arrests rose from 2,200 in 2005 to approximately 2,500 in 2006. That's because possession is illegal under the Colorado state law. A city can adopt an ordinance weaker, but not stronger than the state law.
While the 2007 vote does not make possession legal, it makes it enforcement a low priority. This means that the police are to focus on other issues. They do not go out of their way to make arrests for possession.
According to Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, Mayor John Hickenlooper and other city officials have said that this city ordinance will not be enforced. SAFER says that if officials don't comply, they will be breaking more laws than those they are trying to arrest.
Along with making enforcement of possession low priority, the ordinance creates the Marijuana Policy Review Panel. The panel is will be composed of one member of the city council, one representative of the police department, one representative of the Denver County District Attorney's office, one representative of the City Attorney's office, three criminal defense attorneys (one of which will be a public defender), two Denver residents, one drug and alcohol prevention councilor and one member of the Denver Metro Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, who is not also a member of the law enforcement.
They are to review all police activity dealing with marijuana law enforcement.
Similar ordinances in Seattle and Missoula, Mont. have resulted in a significant decrease in possession arrests. SAFER believes that if city officials cooperate Denver will have the same results.
Is Charleston next? Doubtful. Sophomore history major Patrick Lindstrom says that he doesn't think that residents, at least in this part of Illinois, would go for it.
However, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, non-felony arrests rose from 2,200 in 2005 to approximately 2,500 in 2006. That's because possession is illegal under the Colorado state law. A city can adopt an ordinance weaker, but not stronger than the state law.
While the 2007 vote does not make possession legal, it makes it enforcement a low priority. This means that the police are to focus on other issues. They do not go out of their way to make arrests for possession.
According to Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, Mayor John Hickenlooper and other city officials have said that this city ordinance will not be enforced. SAFER says that if officials don't comply, they will be breaking more laws than those they are trying to arrest.
Along with making enforcement of possession low priority, the ordinance creates the Marijuana Policy Review Panel. The panel is will be composed of one member of the city council, one representative of the police department, one representative of the Denver County District Attorney's office, one representative of the City Attorney's office, three criminal defense attorneys (one of which will be a public defender), two Denver residents, one drug and alcohol prevention councilor and one member of the Denver Metro Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee, who is not also a member of the law enforcement.
They are to review all police activity dealing with marijuana law enforcement.
Similar ordinances in Seattle and Missoula, Mont. have resulted in a significant decrease in possession arrests. SAFER believes that if city officials cooperate Denver will have the same results.
Is Charleston next? Doubtful. Sophomore history major Patrick Lindstrom says that he doesn't think that residents, at least in this part of Illinois, would go for it.
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