Pubdate: Thu, 24 Oct Nov 2002
Source: Colorado Springs Independent Newsweekly (CO)
Copyright: 2002 Colorado Springs Independent
Contact:  http://www.csindy.com/csindy/current/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536
Author: Mark Dalpiaz

SO MUCH FOR DEMOCRACY

I would like to remind fellow Colorado voters that even though the vast 
majority of us overwhelmingly approved the medical use of marijuana (in the 
last election), our elected servants seem determined to deny the people 
what they have so strongly and so democratically indicated they want.

Both Gov. Bill Owens and Attorney General Ken Salazar opposed the medical 
marijuana initiative right from the start. That's fair enough and these 
people are entitled to their private opinions. But, the initiative passed 
by an extremely clear mandate and is now Colorado law. It is not the public 
duty of these people to uphold and defend Colorado law as enacted by the 
democratic process?

Neither Salazar or Owens seem to think so. After this law took effect, 
Owens and Salazar sent a joint letter to the Colorado Medical Society 
warning that any doctors who prescribe marijuana risk the loss of their 
medical license. They then sent a letter to the U.S. (federal) attorney 
Richard Spriggs, calling on him to "enforce federal law" and asking his 
office to prosecute anyone (doctor or private citizen) that prescribes, 
uses or cultivates any marijuana for medicinal use (thus effectively 
bypassing Colorado law).

So much for democracy and the will of the people.

Regardless of where one stands on the issue of medical marijuana, I think 
most Coloradans would agree that democracy is kind of nice.

If you support either the democratic process and/or medical marijuana, 
please join me in boycotting the re-election of both Owens and Salazar. 
Luckily, there are several other well-qualified and less arrogant people to 
vote for. The Green Party has excellent candidates running for both 
positions. Both Ron Forthofer and Sunny Maynard are quite supportive of 
liberty and justice for all.

- -- Mark Dalpiaz

Salida, Colo.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom