Boulder Weekly, 20 Jun 2013 – Among the reasons I voted for Amendment 64 was that I was tired of people being arrested and sent to prison for simple possession of marijuana. I had read stories and anecdotal reports over the years about disproportionate arrest numbers for blacks and whites, and that law enforcement was using pot possession busts to boost arrest numbers. But I still wasn’t ready for "The War On Marijuana – In Black and White," released by the American Civil Liberties Union last week. Using data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program and the U.S. Census’ annual county population estimates by age, sex, race and ethnicity, the report is the first to document arrest rates per 100,000 for marijuana possession for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
US CO: Carbondale Starts Recreational Pot Rulemaking Process
Glenwood Springs Post Independent, 19 Jun 2013 – CARBONDALE — With retail pot shops likely to open in Colorado by early next year, the Carbondale trustees on Tuesday night dove headlong into a debate about how to regulate Carbondale’s recreational marijuana industry. The board appears unlikely to ban the recreational pot shops approved with the passage of Amendment 64 last November, but the trustees will likely make rules governing the number, size and location of shops, as well as the fee required to open a recreational store.
US CO: Steamboat Dispensary Owner Questions Marijuana Legalization
The Steamboat Today, 18 Jun 2013 – Steamboat Springs – A state ballot initiative that would legalize marijuana possession for recreational use is getting a lukewarm reaction from the owner of Steamboat Springs’ largest medical marijuana dispensary. Although he supports adult recreational marijuana use, Rocky Mountain Remedies co-owner Kevin Fisher said legalizing pot for all Colorado adults could jeopardize the business model he and other state dispensary owners have worked hard to create. Specifically, Fisher said he’s concerned approval of a system that permits recreational marijuana use would lead to increased federal intervention in Colorado.
US CO: Marijuana Joints Spark Fear, Loathing At Town Forum
The Norwood Post, 19 Jun 2013 – Attendees cite spousal abuse and violent crime in pleas for board to opt out of retail pot sales Accompanied by bursts of applause, the crowd of over 40 Norwood and Wright’s Mesa citizens at Wednesday’s Amendment 64 forum plead with the Norwood Town Board of Trustees to opt out of licensing retail cannabis stores, testing facilities and grow operations.
US CO: Vail Dodges Pot Issue Again
Vail Daily, 18 Jun 2013 – VAIL — The town of Vail has to decide by Oct. 1 whether it wants to ban or allow the commercial sale of recreational marijuana in town. The town council discussed new state marijuana regulations Tuesday, specifically the state legislation that outlines how recreational marijuana retail businesses will be licensed and taxed.
US CO: Longmont City Council Votes 4-2 To Ban Pot Businesses
Longmont Weekly, 16 Jun 2013 – LONGMONT – Pot shops were shot down Tuesday by the Longmont City Council, which voted 4-2 to ban recreational marijuana businesses. "As it stands, you can grow, smoke and possess marijuana, medical or recreational, in the city of Longmont," Councilman Brian Bagley said in voting for the ban. "To me, the issue is, do we want to see stores in Longmont providing this?"
