Pubdate: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2007 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n000/a169.html Author: Mason Tvert IN DEFENSE OF DENVER MARIJUANA INITIATIVE Re: "Council shouldn't pass lousy pot law," Aug. 17 editorial. Regarding your claim that our "lowest law enforcement priority" initiative would be unconstitutional under state law, suffice it to say the omission of the phrase "home rule" speaks volumes. The one court that considered such an initiative ruled it was legal and must be implemented. More glaringly, your editorial asserted marijuana possession would remain illegal under federal law if this initiative were adopted. Federal law is 100 percent irrelevant to this debate. As we've seen with medical marijuana, states are completely free to determine how they handle marijuana enforcement. The editorial also called the initiative "fundamentally flawed," ignoring the success of similar initiatives that have been enacted in Seattle and other cities. In fact, the Seattle councilmembers who serve as the co-chairs of the panel overseeing implementation of the Seattle law sent a letter to the Denver City Council touting its effectiveness. Most importantly, the editorial's headline called the initiative a "lousy pot law." Yet, aside from your claim that the initiative would be unworkable and unconstitutional, you didn't cite a single negative outcome that could result from its implementation. Editorials like this are why more people every day turn to blogs for trusted reporting and analysis. Mason Tvert, Denver The writer is campaign director for Citizens for a Safer Denver. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake