Pubdate: Fri, 18 Sep 2015
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: John Frank

EVENT PUTS FOCUS ON POT

In Denver Visit, Martin O'Malley Seeks Local Input.

In a visit to Denver, Democratic presidential candidate Martin 
O'Malley said he is looking to Colorado as he considers whether to 
support federal legalization of marijuana. But for now, he said, it's 
a step too far.

"I think we still have to watch, and we have to learn in Colorado and 
Washington state," he told reporters after a meeting with marijuana 
industry and legalization advocates Thursday. "I'm not there yet, but 
I am watching very closely what's happening."

The focus on the issue is emerging as a hot topic in the 2016 
presidential campaign amid questions about how the federal government 
should respond to the increasing number of states moving toward legalization.

The former Maryland governor's discussion came the day after 
Republican presidential candidates sparred about marijuana in a 
televised debate and three months after Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul 
visited Denver for a fundraiser with the legal weed industry.

In Maryland, O'Malley signed a bill to decriminalize the possession 
of small amounts of marijuana, making it a civil citation and fine 
for those caught with less than 10 grams. He also supported the 
state's legalization of medical marijuana.

In the meeting, he asked a dozen or so questions about how it works 
in Colorado and the results after legalization in 2013.

"You didn't see everyone showing up three hours late for work every 
morning?" he asked with a smile.

If elected president, O'Malley said he would use his executive 
authority to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II drug, a move that 
will allow doctors to issue prescriptions and enable medical 
research. Right now, marijuana is a Schedule I drug at the federal 
level, akin to heroin, LSD and ecstasy.

Brian Vicente, an attorney who helped lead the campaign to legalize 
weed in Colorado, wanted the candidate to go further.

"It's a positive sign that you have a mainstream candidate discussing 
this issue in Colorado," said Vicente, who hosted the event at his 
downtown law office. But, he added, the schedule change is a "largely 
symbolic" step.

Others at the meeting included members of Gov. John Hickenlooper's 
administration, pot business owners and other legalization advocates.

Gina Carbone, the cofounder of Smart Colorado, an organization 
opposed to legalization, suggested the candidate received a onesided 
view that ignored the negative effects.

"The marijuana industry is trying to sell this idea that marijuana 
use is great and there are no problems," she said in an interview. "I 
definitely think he didn't get the whole picture."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom