Face The State Staff Report
DENVER - In Civic Center Park Sunday, more than 5,000 people came together to call for marijuana legalization. But while the annual event—part party and part protest—has in the past been defined by dozens of arrests, this year’s event saw few, with organizers emphasizing a larger message of freedom.
Rally at Civic CenterFTS Staff Photo
“When we talk about marijuana legalization, we shouldn’t just be talking about pot,” said Denver attorney Robert Corry. "At today's event, there was a real emphasis on the fact that everyone should be concerned about the fact that we’re wasting incredible amount of public resources on enforcing the prohibition of a peaceful, organic substance.”
Corry represented the event’s organizers and helped them secure a park permit, a first for supporters who had traditionally held only an impromptu rally at the park. While attendance was up significantly over last year’s estimated 800 attendees, just 10 marijuana citations were issued. At last year’s event, 78 people were cited for marijuana smoking.
Mason Tvert, director of SAFER Colorado and the lead proponent of city and statewide initiatives on marijuana legalization, says public opinion is shifting in favor of major reform in drug laws. "Public support is growing for a new, more rational approach to marijuana," he said. "More and more people are recognizing that marijuana laws are far more harmful than marijuana and it's time for a change."
Under an ordinance passed last November by Denver voters, enforcement of marijuana prohibition was to become the city’s lowest law enforcement priority. The passage came on the heels of a successful 2006 initiative, which saw Denver become the first U.S. city to legalize small amounts of marijuana for adult usage. In 2000, Colorado voters passed a constitutional amendment allowing for medicinal marijuana use upon a doctor’s recommendation.
Despite building public support for legalization, marijuana consumption and possession remain illegal under state and federal law.
Crowd Helped?
On April 21st, 2008 prk166 says:
I'd suspect a larger crowd would help make it less likely that those, at least in the middle of things, would get busted for toking. I can't imagine the cops wanting to wade through to the middle of a crowd to pull that off.
So when are the Feds going to start recognizing state rights & let the states decide on this issue? Seems like more and more Colorado is showing they don't want to waste state dollars on non-violent pot smokers (not that all pot smokers are non-violent).