Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper announced on Wednesday his opposition to Amendment 64, Colorado’s marijuana legalization measure, Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. In a press release dated September 12, 2012, he stated: “Colorado is known for many great things –- marijuana should not be one of them,” He continued, “Amendment 64 has the potential to increase the number of children using drugs and would detract from efforts to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. It sends the wrong message to kids that drugs are OK.”
Governor Hickenlooper’s opposition is particularly important because Amendment 64 has no protections against drivers under the influence of marijuana, as there are DUI limits on alcohol. Fifty traffic deaths in the state last year were caused by marijuana-impaired drivers. In May, the governor addressed this issue and tried to pass a bill setting a DUI limit for marijuana, but the measure failed to pass.
We salute Governor Hickenlooper for taking a courageous stand against the state’s very powerful marijuana lobby. Amendment 64 to legalize marijuana would be a constitutional amendment, making it very difficult to change, but it is still leading in the polls.
Smart Colorado – No on 64, a grass roots group opposed to legalizing marijuana, is grateful to Governor Hickenlooper and is pleased with two other favorable actions which occurred that same day.
A judge dismissed Amendment 64 supporters’ attempt to change the language in the states Blue Book guide that goes to voters. The Blue Book gives Colorado voters a clear description of what A64 and the other Amendments on the November ballot will do. The Legislative Council Committee voted on the description when they approved the Blue Book on Sept 5.
The University of Colorado Board of Regents also took a strong stand on Wednesday, as they voted to oppose Amendment 64, saying it would have a negative effect on Colorado colleges and the desire of parents to send their children to schools in the state.
The group pushing marijuana legalization has raised a great deal of money from groups in New York and Washington and has been running television commercials. Please donate, even small amounts, as many people in Colorado outside of the Denver area are not aware of the referendum at this time. No on 64 – Smart Colorado has a long way to go in raising funds to compete with supporters of marijuana legalization. They continue to seek support from individuals, community groups, school groups and others.