Marijuana: Council's Amendment 64 Committee faces tough questions, has few answers

By Charles Trowbridge Wed., Jan. 23 2013 at 9:29 AM

Brown acknowledged the complexity of the retail question, but he kept an eye on the deadlines, settling on a decision to vote during the committee's third meeting.

Photo by Charles Trowbridge

The Amendment 64 Committee.

He also pointed out some of the funding complications that could come into play when developing Amendment 64. He noted, for example, that 46 percent of employees at the state's Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division were laid off last spring due to a lack of funds. This gap between program funding and personnel is a problem the committee can ill-afford to ignore when it comes to A64.

"If we're going to do this as a state, we're being watched nationwide -- if not worldwide -- of how we do it," Brown said. "And if we're going to do it right, we have to support it with our dollars, and it has to be, in my judgment, consistent dollars, and we know that they are there."

Other committee members questioned whether the social impact of non-medical marijuana had been sufficiently examined -- specifically the potential impact on teens and the homeless population. Another member noted that one of the task forces designated by Governor John Hickenlooper is looking at the implications of recreational marijuana legality on children.

Right now, the committee's next meeting is tentatively scheduled for February 18, but that could change. The plan right now is for members to get together every third week, but each session is subject to change within a week of the date.

As the committee moves forward, members will have to find ways to deal with these issues even as a potentially multi-million-dollar unknown remains: Will the federal government allow all of Amendment 64 to be implemented.

Broadwell admitted he is just as curious as everyone else about when the Obama administration will make its intentions known.

"I check the web, like, six times a day because I want to be the first to know when that happens," Broadwell said. But thus far, he added, there's been no news -- "absolutely nothing."

We Recommend

Monkey

Look, Denver suburbs still want to bust you for possession. Here is a scary thought from Greenwood Village;

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/can-colorado-cities-re-ban-marijuana-possession-because-they-own-streets

DonkeyHotay topcommenter

1 Like

@Monkey ... Good thing that A64 didn't establish any Right to Use and allowed every Government, Corporate and other entity the POWER to continue to discriminate against ALL marijuana users, eh?

betweenthelines

2 Like

Fuck these losers....They stonewalled the MMJ and they will do the same here....66% of Denver-ites voted for A64, which meant a vote for commercial retail outlets.The language on the ballot was CRYSTAL clear in regards to this......

DonkeyHotay topcommenter

1 Like

@betweenthelines ... which is why MORONS LIKE YOU surrendered TOTAL CONTROL of marijuana over to these "losers" via A64, eh numbnuts?

Dubley

2 Like

@betweenthelines Hi. Go back and read what was passed before you go about saying what the ballot language was. Because you're wrong.

Cognitive_Dissident topcommenter

"To allow or not allow."

Of course, you're asking the wrong question. The real question is "To have a black market, or to have a white market." The commerce is already taking place. The question is whether to accommodate it above-board. Smart bureaucrats get out of the way of commerce.

DonkeyHotay topcommenter

1 Like

@Cognitive_Dissident ... a FREE "black" market is way more efficient than a Government REGULATED "white" market.

But you already knew that ... if you were really a "principled" libertarian.

gustavo.picciuto

@DonkeyHotay @Cognitive_DissidentThat is the MOST stupid thing you have EVER said; and you've said quite a few of them. Poor little person.

DonkeyHotay topcommenter

1 Like

@gustavo.picciuto = the shitstain who asserted, repeatedly, that he is glad when children receive FELONY prosecution/convictions for marijuana offenses.

Go fuck yourself, scumbag, and fuck your mother for bringing a worthless piece of shit like you into this world.

Any questions?

Cognitive_Dissident topcommenter

2 Like

@gustavo.picciuto I'm sorry you're an ignorant jackass with no imagination.

Pro tip: When criticizing "stupid" people, tell them why you think they're stupid, not that they're stupid. That only makes you look stupid, and unqualified to be the elitist you pretend to be.

Cognitive_Dissident topcommenter

1 Like

@DonkeyHotay @Cognitive_Dissident Generally, it is. The only problem is it has to work in the shadows, because people don't like to be arrested, so you end up with things like sales to kids. In a free market, there would be market-based controls. That was supposedly the reason for legalization, or whatever it really is.