Denver Voters Will Decide If Weed is "Low Priority" for Police

The Frat Boy News Daily Pause for the Cause

University of Denver (compiled by Stuart Steers, Rocky Mountain News)

Denver voters will have the final say on whether the city should change its marijuana laws, but that didn't stop several City Council members from accusing pot activists of turning city elections into a farce.

"You're trying to make a joke out of the electoral process in Denver," said Councilwoman Carol Boigan. "I think this is aimed at street theater and capturing media attention."

The council voted unanimously Monday to refer to voters a ballot initiative that would direct Denver police to make the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana "the city's lowest law enforcement priority." Backers of the proposed ordinance turned in several thousand signatures to earn a spot on the November ballot.

Council members made it clear they believe the proposal will have little effect even if it passes, since state law bans marijuana possession. Even those who favor changing the nation's drug laws have found fault with the measure.

"The war on drugs is as misguided as the war on Iraq," said Councilman Chris Nevitt, who compared the country's drug laws to the failure of Prohibition. "This issue needs to be taken to the state and federal level. Denver voters have already spoken."