Denver Mayoral Race: Marijuana
Eleven years ago, Colorado voters supported an amendment to the State Constitution legalizing the use of medical marijuana. Residents registered with the state as approved patients with medical consent are allowed to use medical marijuana for the treatment of conditions such as cancer, chronic pain or nervous disorders, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, and multiple sclerosis. In early April, the Colorado House passed a bill defining new rules related to the cultivation and sale of marijuana that includes the extension of a moratorium on new dispensaries through next summer. And next year, Colorado residents may be asked to vote on whether or not marijuana should be legalized statewide.
In 2005, Denver became the first city in the U.S. to legalize the private use of small amounts of marijuana by adults aged 21 and over. Today, more than 100 medical marijuana dispensaries operate within city limits.
The following insights into how each candidate stands regarding the legalization of marijuana are gathered from comments made at two recent campaign events or published on-line or in printed campaign materials. Candidate names are listed in the order in which they appear on the ballot.
Michael Hancock
Bottom line:
Does not support medical marijuana or the legalization of marijuana for any use.
On his campaign website:
No mention of medical marijuana.
In his campaign flyer:
No mention of medical marijuana.
Issue-specific ideas or solutions presented at March 24 and April 6 events:
Indicated he does not support the legalization of marijuana
Issue-related comments:
In a February article by Metro Student Media’s The Met Online, Hancock was quoted as saying he believes marijuana is a dangerous “gateway” drug that leads users to more dangerous drugs. He added that one of his sisters struggled with drug addiction.
Experience Potentially Related to this Issue:
• City Councilman 2003-Present
--President 2006-2008
Chris Romer
Bottom line:
“Medical cases…compel us to come together and make truly common sense policy and regulations for a reasonable market for medical marijuana.”
On his campaign website:
No mention of medical marijuana.
In his campaign flyer:
No mention of medical marijuana.
Issue-specific ideas or solutions presented at March 24 and April 6 events:
Indicated he does not support the legalization of marijuana.
Issue-related comments:
In an April 2011 Westword blog post, a Romer spokesperson was quoted as saying the Romer campaign had decided not to accept donations from members of the medical marijuana industry because Romer had been “so involved in crafting the legislative compromise” related to the industry.
A July 2010 Westword blog post regarding HB1284, the main medical marijuana bill which Romer co-sponsored, Romer was quoted as saying “the intent of the bill was clearly to get control of the wild west.” Romer added an important part of the bill was the requirement that those involved in ownership of Denver medical marijuana dispensaries “not have felonies for the past five years, or drug-related felonies period.” Romer noted that while that requirement could affect the overall number of dispensaries allowed to open in Denver, “the bills’ sponsors view that as a positive.”
In a January 2010 Westword blog post about discussions around SB109, a Romer-sponsored bill designed to clarify steps doctors who prescribe medical marijuana are required to take related to patient care, Romer was quoted as saying passage of the bill represented “the beginning of the end of the wild west.”
In a January 2010 Huffington Post column, Romer wrote that Denver needs to establish “a model that will not only destigmatize medical marijuana by working to keep it out of the hands of those who would only seek to use it recreationally, but more importantly to create a fair and regulated market that is best for the patients who can benefit immensely from it.”
Experience Potentially Related to this Issue:
• Senator 2007-2010
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