Colorado Initiative 40 Seeks To Legalize Marijuana For All Colorado Residents
I just read an AP article that yet another effort for marijuana reform is underway in Colorado. The AP article is pasted below, along with the full text of the proposed legislation:
DENVER–Another measure to legalize marijuana could be headed to Colorado ballots this fall.
Pot activists are headed to the state title board Wednesday for permission to start gathering signatures for a ballot measure to make the drug legal. It’s a more liberal proposal than the “Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol” measure currently awaiting clearance for inclusion on ballots.
The measure under discussion Wednesday would not limit the amount of marijuana a person could have, nor would it set an age limit for possession. The second version also states that marijuana would not be taxed, unlike the rival proposal.
The second proposal comes from activists who argue the first proposal is too heavy-handed. Additional pot proposals are possible because of disagreements within the marijuana activism community.
RELIEF FOR POSSESSION OF CANNABIS ACT 2012
Be it enacted by the people of Colorado
Article XVIII of the constitution of the state of Colorado is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:
Section 16. Relief for the possession of cannabis.
(1) Purpose and findings.
(a) THE PURPOSE OF THIS SECTION IS TO DIRECT THE JUDICIARY BRANCH OF ALL GOVERNING BODIES IN THE STATE OF COLORADO TO PROHIBIT AND RELIEVE THEIR COURTS FROM IMPOSING ANY FINE OR SENTENCE FOR THE POSSESSION OF CANNABIS.
(b) IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO THAT THE COURTS BE PROHIBITED AND RELIEVED FROM IMPOSING A FINE OR SENTENCE FOR THE POSSESSION OF CANNABIS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE FIND THAT THE PUNISHMENT FOR POSSESSION OF CANNABIS EXCEEDS THE FISCAL AND SOCIAL COSTS THAT POSSESSING CANNABIS IMPOSES ON THE PEOPLE OF COLORADO.
(c) IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO THAT THE COURTS BE PROHIBITED AND RELIEVED FROM IMPOSING A FINE OR SENTENCE FOR THE POSSESSION OF CANNABIS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE FIND THAT THE PUNISHMENT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE DAMAGE POSSESSING CANNABIS IMPOSES ON THE PEOPLE OF COLORADO.
(d) THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO FURTHER FIND AND DECLARE THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY AND FAIRNESS IN THE APPLICATION OF THIS SECTION THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND THAT, THEREFORE, THE MATTERS ADDRESSED BY THIS SECTION ARE DECLARED TO BE MATTERS OF STATEWIDE CONCERN.
(2) Definitions. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES:
(a) “CANNABIS” MEANS
(I) THE GENUS OF THE CANNABIS PLANT AND ALL ITS SPECIES, LIVING OR DEAD,
(II) AND IN ANY AMOUNT.
(b) “COURTS” MEAN ALL TRIBUNALS ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADMINISTERING JUSTICE, INCLUDING ANY JUDICIAL OFFICERS OR “OTHER COURTS” ESTABLISHED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF COLORADO AND ALL MUNICIPAL AND POLICE COURTS ESTABLISHED BY HOME RULE CITIES AND TOWNS.
“POSSESSION OF CANNABIS” MEANS HAVING CANNABIS:
(I) IN OR ON ONE’S BODY OR CLOTHING OR;
(II) WITHIN ONE’S BUILDING THAT A PERSON OWNS OR;
(III) WITHIN ONE’S AUTO.
d) “RELIEVE” MEANS ALLEVIATE.
(3) Other laws unchanged.
NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO MODIFY ANY PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE OR ANY OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OR STATUTORY PROVISION CONCERNING CANNABIS.
(4) Costs of implementing this section.
THIS SECTION ADDS NO FISCAL COSTS TO THE STATE AND IMPOSES NO TAX UPON THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE.
(5) Self-executing, conflicting provisions.
THIS SECTION IS SELF-EXECUTING AND SHALL SUPERCEDE ANY CONFLICTING STATE, LOCAL, OR MUNICIPAL STATUTES, CODES, ORDINANCES, OR PROVISIONS.
(6) Effective date.
THIS SECTION SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON OFFICIAL DECLARATION OF THE VOTE HEREON BY PROCLAMATION OF THE GOVERNOR, PURSUANT TO SECTION 1(4) OF ARTICLE V OF THIS CONSTITUTION AND SHALL BE APPLIED TO ANYONE WHO HAS A SENTENCING HEARING ON OR AFTER SUCH DATE.
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Proponent #1:
Michelle Louise LaMay
303-886-7998
Proponent #2:
William A. Chengelis
720-628-2639
