Pubdate: Wed, 12 Sep 2012
Source: Colorado Daily (Boulder, CO)
Copyright: 2012 New Colorado Daily, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.coloradodaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1557
Author: Brittany Anas

CU REGENTS VOTE TO OPPOSE MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION UNDER AMENDMENT 64

Republican Tillie Bishop: 'We're law-abiding regents'

The University of Colorado Board of Regents on Wednesday approved a
resolution opposing Amendment 64, the state ballot measure that seeks
to legalize marijuana and regulate it like alcohol.

The measure passed 5-0 after an attempt by Regent Stephen Ludwig,
D-Denver, to suspend the motion indefinitely.

Three regents abstained from the vote: Ludwig, Irene Griego,
D-Lakewood, and board chairman Regent Michael Carrigan, D-Denver.
Regent Joe Neguse, D-Boulder, was absent.

Carrigan had said Tuesday he planned to vote for the measure, though
it is fairly common for the board chairman to abstain from votes
unless there is need for a tie-breaker. He said he decided Wednesday
to abstain because he wanted to be consistent, having abstained from
other votes that came forward.

Carrigan said that he plans to personally vote against Amendment 64,
and if he were not chair of the board he would have voted to support
the resolution by Kyle Hybl, R-Colorado Springs.

"As a former prosecutor, I believe that marijuana is bad for people's
health," Carrigan said.

Ludwig told his fellow board members that they haven't had enough time
to weigh the pros and cons of the legislation, evaluating -- for
example -- the potential effects it could have on the state's economy.
He said the board was being asked to vote based on personal opinions.

"If marijuana were legalized we wouldn't allow it on campus any more
than we do beer," Ludwig said.

Amendment 64 seeks to allow those 21 or older to possess small amounts
of marijuana without having a medical marijuana card.

Hybl raised concerns that if Amendment 64 passed, the legalization of
marijuana could deter parents from sending their students to colleges
in Colorado.

Regent Tillie Bishop, R-Grand Junction, opposed tabling the resolution
because, he said, the issue of legalizing marijuana is nothing new.

"We are expressing to parents and future students that we oppose
Amendment No. 64 because it's against state laws and federal laws and
we're law abiding regents," Bishop said.

The Amendment 64 campaign has argued that marijuana is a safer
substance than alcohol and on Tuesday slammed CU for being
hypocritical, turning a blind eye to alcohol-fueled tailgate parties
before football games and naming an athletics facility "Coors Events
Center."

Following the vote, Bishop offered an open invitation to his fellow
regents to attend the 21st annual Colorado Mountain Winefest, which
begins Thursday in Palisade.
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MAP posted-by: Matt