Supporters of an initiative to make adult possession of marijuana the “lowest law enforcement priority” in the Mile High City say they’re willing to bargain with members of the Denver City Council and the Mayor.
Instead of putting the issue up for a vote–the course the measure is likely headed for now–proponents are willing to withdraw it as long as Denver officials put a stop to marijuana possession citations during the Democratic National Convention in 2008. But that’s not all.The campaign behind the initiative, Citizens for a Safer Denver, is also requesting that city representatives take a stand and examine their positions on marijuana.
From the press statement released today.
1. The Denver City Council and Mayor shall formally recognize that adult marijuana use poses less harm to the user and to other Denver residents than adult alcohol use.
2. The Denver City Council and Mayor shall commit to exploring what marijuana policies the City can implement that reflect the fact that adult marijuana use poses less harm to the user and to the City than adult alcohol use.
3. The Denver City Council and Mayor shall enact a moratorium on citations for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana by adults 21 and older during the Democratic National Convention in August 2008.
If that city chooses not to abide by such terms, then it’s business as usual. Voters will presumably go on to decide the fate of the proposal in the next local election.