BRECKENRIDGE — Marijuana laws could be coming up for a public vote in Breckenridge.
A marijuana advocacy group[, Sensible Breckenridge,] is gathering signatures to put pot laws to voters in municipal elections this fall. The group wants to see an ordinance to remove all criminal penalties from the town code for the private use of marijuana, under 1 ounce, by adults 21 and older.
Smoking in public and drugged driving would remain illegal.
The proposal has the support of some town officials. Breckenridge Town Councilman Jeffrey Bergeron joined an affidavit filed in support of the ballot initiative.
“It’s a cause I believe in, and I think the initiative reflects the will of the people of Breck,” Bergeron said. “I don’t think there’s any public safety concerns in regards to an adult possessing less than one ounce of marijuana.”
Local police, though, oppose the initiative.
“I worry about the collateral affect of the youth of the community,” Breckenridge Police chief told the Summit Daily News. Holman pointed out that even if the initiative were passed, marijuana would still be illegal under state and federal law.
Chief Holman, you point out that marijuana would still be illegal even if the Breckenridge initiative were passed. I infer that you mean you would continue to keep busting people for marijuana after the initiative passes just like you bust them now. So what, exactly, would be this collateral effect on the youth? Are you telling us the youth will be harmed by the people merely discussing and voting for marijuana?
BTW: I thought cannabis is decriminalized in the state of Colorado and only carries a max 100 dollar fine for possession of one ounce or less ? Is Sensible Breckenridge trying to get rid of the 100 dollar fine too ? Doesnt decriminalized mean no criminal record ?
“I worry about the collateral affect of the youth of the community,” Breckenridge Police chief
How is letting an adult do something make it ok for the youth. Since when do the police have the youths best interest anyway? They have no problem arresting a youth for cannabis, creating a permanent criminal record that will haunt that youth, by limiting the kind of jobs he can get and taking away any federal school aid he might need. O thank heavens police are so caring about the youth. Big help on ruining someones life. O well, as long as they know whats best for us. I think they should just get to make the laws and enforce them too. Conflict of interest ? O course not.