Pubdate: Tue, 11 Dec 2012
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Tim Hoover
Page: 8A

Pot Law Goes into Effect

HICKENLOOPER SIGNS PROCLAMATION

Gov. John Hickenlooper made it official Monday: Pot is now legal in 
the state of Colorado, according to the state constitution.

Hickenlooper, a Democrat, signed the proclamation that places 
Amendment 64 into the constitution. Andhe announced the creation of a 
task force to attempt to work out the many legal and logistical 
details that must accompany the amendment, which makes the use, 
1-ounce possession and limited home growing of marijuana legal for 
anyone age 21 and older.

Neither the law nor the constitution requires the governor to sign a 
proclamation, but state law and the constitution say the measure 
takes effect 30 days after the votes have been canvassed, regardless 
of whether the governor has signed it.

The governor said he was carrying out the wishes of Coloradans, who 
approved the amendment with 55 percent of the vote.

"Obviously, I didn't support it," Hickenlooper said. "Our voters very 
clearly said they thought this was a step forward. I think our job 
now is to do the very best job we can to respect the will of those 
voters and to make that step forward as thoughtful and constructive 
as we possibly can."

To help do that, the governor on Monday signed an executive order 
creating a task force on implementation. The 24-member body, composed 
of lawmakers, cabinet officials, civic leaders and officials with 
groups representing employers and marijuana advocates, will be 
co-chaired by Jack Finlaw, the governor's chief legal counsel, and 
Barbara Brohl, executive director of theColorado Department of Revenue.

Hickenlooper said the panel was supposed to make its recommendations 
by Feb. 28.

Mason Tvert, who served as co-director of the campaign in support of 
the Amendment 64, said Monday was a "truly historic" day.

"From this day forward, adults in Colorado will no longer be punished 
for the simple use and possession of marijuana," Tvert said. "We 
applaud Gov. Hickenlooper for issuing this declaration in a timely 
fashion, so that adult possession arrests end across the state immediately."

Amendment 64 also allows specially licensed stores to sell marijuana 
starting in 2014. In addition, Coloradans can own up to six marijuana 
plants, three of which may be flowering at any given time.

It is not legal to smoke or use cannabis in public under state law, 
and until the state passes and implements laws regulating the sale of 
marijuana, it's still illegal to buy or sell recreational pot.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom