By "Radical" Russ Belville on August 27, 2009
(Denver Post) Denver’s marijuana policy review panel agreed Wednesday to send a letter to the presiding judge of Denver County Court urging a $1 fine as penalty for possession of marijuana of less than an ounce.
The current fine schedule indicates a $50 fine for such offenses, plus a $100 drug surcharge required by the state of Colorado and a $10 “bureau fee.”
Mason Tvert, a member of the panel and the executive director of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, which has pushed decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, said state law requires the surcharge and the $10 bureau fee.
He said that if Presiding Judge Marcy Celeste accepts the recommendations, the penalty would still stand at $111.
Tvert said lowering the fine would send a message to police “that it is not worth their time or the court’s to issue any more citations.”
The panel agreed to send the letter to the judge on a 6-2 vote.
What can be done about this state law “$100 drug surcharge”? What’s that all about?
Posted in ACTIVISM, LEGISLATION, LITIGATION, SOCIETY | Tagged Colorado, Denver, Denver Post, Judge Marcy Celeste, Mason Tvert
I am the host of the NORML SHOW LIVE and The NORML Stash Blog. I'm married, live in Portland, Oregon, and I am a registered medical marijuana caregiver in this state. I've worked days as an IT geek and nights as a professional musician. Previously, I have been the host of my own political talk radio show on satellite radio. I've been the High Times "Freedom Fighter of the Month" for my work producing Oregon NORML's TV show, "A Cannabis Community Forum", and for helping to institute Portland's wildly successful medical marijuana cardholders meetings, where we help sick and disabled Oregonians acquire cannabis plant starts, learn gardening, and understand the medical marijuana law. I've dedicated my life to bringing an end to adult marijuana prohibition and re-legalizing cannabis hemp, and I'm honored to be chosen by NORML to be our daily voice.
