Pubdate: Sat, 05 Sep 2015 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 PUBLIC POT BACKERS GET REAL Activists who decided to withdraw a proposed ballot initiative in Denver that would have allowed pot use in bars and other businesses seem to have awakened to reality. The public wasn't ready for such a proposal. There was a high probability it would have been defeated at the polls, even in liberal Denver where Amendment 64 passed with ease. At the very least, proponents need to narrow the measure's focus and secure wider support for whatever they propose next time. One big problem with their original proposal: It appeared to conflict with Amendment 64's ban on public consumption, which is now in the state constitution. Denver voters are not free to ignore that passage just because activists want a broader license to smoke pot. Organizations such as the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Colorado Restaurant Association have indicated they are open to discussions regarding a substitute ballot measure. That's good - so long as the goal is to substantially roll back previous language. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom