Marijuana Laws? (illegal, drugs, March, Denver)

[Vickeri]

I am disabled and we are going to move to Colorado. I need to know some towns at low altitude that are Medically marijuana friendly......Any input would be awesome.
Love and Peace, Keri

[nirvanablu]

Friday, March 30, 2007

Justice: Colorado Style

The Government continues to prosecute those who obey their laws:

Would Branson give consent to these officers to conduct a warrantless search of his home in Thornton?

Well, of course he would consent - especially after, as Branson tells it, the dozen or so armed cops explained, in detail, the needless tragedies that would befall his home if they were forced to go through the trouble of returning with a warrant.

In they went.

The police, naturally, knew exactly what they were looking for and quickly seized about a dozen marijuana plants Branson was growing in the backyard.

Charged with felony cultivation and possession with intent to distribute, the 38-year-old Branson, who is in a 20-year fight with HIV, is now facing a maximum six years in prison.

Branson, who had no previous criminal record, claims that a physician named Dr. Cynthia Firnhaber verbally recommended medical marijuana to him in 2002 to help ease his pain.

"That or pick out a hospice which you'd like to die in," Branson alleges the doctor told him.

Colorado legalized medical marijuana in 2000, but you need the written recommendation of a doctor, and Branson only had oral recommendation because the doctor worked for the University of Colorado, and they could lose federal funding if they gave out medical marijuana prescriptions.

Branson says he'll commit suicide if convicted or forced to stop taking marijuana.

Sadly, this case is far from unique. The government really seems to enjoy finding people who are suffering and using semi-illegal drugs to ease their suffering, then prosecute them and take the drugs away, and watch them suffer in pain in prison. And for what? We kill our own innocent civilians, nearly 1 out of every 150 people is in prison, and the drugs have not stopped flowing. The drug war is ridiculous, and it's tearing apart our country.

[ColoradoHereWeCome]

What are the laws in Colorado regarding Marijuana?
Is there a certain amount you are allowed to have on you?
I heard in the past that it was "legal" in Colorado but have found that very hard to believe, is it legal medically?

[tfox]

The city of Denver did legalize possession less than 1 oz, but it's mostly symbolic since state law didn't change. However, voters did subsequently pass a measure instructing law enforcement to make cases of simple possession of less than 1 oz "the lowest law enforcement priority." So, in Denver, it looks like it's decriminalized if not actually legal, provided it's a case of simple possession less than one oz.

Statewide, medical marijuana IS legal, but of course not according to federal law. So, what that means is that if you pursue the medical route, state law enforcement will not be able to prosecute under state law but could refer the case to federal authorities.

[SheridanL]

Huh????????

[esya]

In about 1977 it was legal in Boulder to have a small amount, beyond that I don't know but Colorado puts one in every 100 people in jail so don't expect any sort of judicial leniency around here, as everywhere else in the country we've become a nation advocating forced behaviors and excessive punishment for miscreants.

[bhcompy]

Marijuana is illegal on a federal level. Any laws below that technically don't mean jack because they are superceded. The only difference is the level of enforcement by each level and state vs federal sentencing and institutions. Medical marijuana is "legal" in california and "legal" growers and "legal" marijuana bars are busted routinely with their marijuana confiscated and people being prosecuted at the federal level. Basically, you're not truely safe anywhere, so don't do it unless you're willing to accept the consequences, just like any other crime.

[suzco]

Originally Posted by tfox

The city of Denver did legalize possession less than 1 oz, but it's mostly symbolic since state law didn't change. However, voters did subsequently pass a measure instructing law enforcement to make cases of simple possession of less than 1 oz "the lowest law enforcement priority." So, in Denver, it looks like it's decriminalized if not actually legal, provided it's a case of simple possession less than one oz.

Statewide, medical marijuana IS legal, but of course not according to federal law. So, what that means is that if you pursue the medical route, state law enforcement will not be able to prosecute under state law but could refer the case to federal authorities.

And in the news today (March 5, 2008)

Pot arrests up in Denver despite initiatives, group says : Breaking News : Boulder Daily Camera (http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/mar/05/pot-arrests-denver-despite-initiatives-group-says/ - broken link)

Citations and arrests for minor possession of marijuana continue to rise in Denver, even though voters have passed two initiatives to reduce such enforcement, a group says.

"More and more people want the police and prosecutors to stop, but they're citing and prosecuting more and more people," said Mason Tvert, executive director of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation. . .

[ryanek9freak]

1 in every 100 people in Jail. I have a new Idea for a colorado bumper sticker:

"We don't educate, we incarcerate"

[greatmuta]

Possession of up to an ounce is a petty offense in Colorado. So it's even lower than a misdemeanor, which is exactly how it should be. The police honestly have much more important things to worry about and real criminals to go after. Legalize it.