Plainsman1963

Marijuana panel recommends no arrests for possession next week
08-21-2008 | DenverPost.Com | Tom McGhee

A panel set up to review Denver's marijuana policies has recommended that police refrain from busting adults who fire up during the Democratic National Convention.

Police will have to deal with numerous security issues next week when thousands of people - ranging from protestors to delegates - descend on Denver, said Mason Tvert, leader of a group that sponsored a law mandating that marijuana be a low-enforcement priority.

"It is absolutely absurd for the police to be spending any of their time worrying about adults using a drug that is less harmful than alcohol," he said today.

Tvert, who also sits on the Marijuana Policy Review Panel, said he would deliver the recommendation to Mayor John Hickenlooper, Police Chief Gerald Whitman and City Council president Jeanne Robb.

Earlier this week, a police spokesman said officers will continue to enforce a state statute barring possession and use of marijuana, despite the voter-approved city ordinance making small amounts of marijuana the "lowest law-enforcement priority."

Police and the mayor's office weren't immediately available for comment today.

The panel recommended police not arrest, detain or issue a citation to anyone over 21 who possesses up to one ounce of pot for private use during the convention.

In 2005 city voters approved a referendum that mirrors the panel's recommendation, but arrests continued as police continued to enforce state law.

In 2007, voters approved making marijuana the city's lowest law enforcement priority.

But in the first six months of this year, Tvert said, 927 adults were prosecuted for possession.

"The people of Denver have made it clear they do not want adults in this city punished for simply possessing a drug less harmful than alcohol," said Tvert. "Now a panel appointed by the mayor of Denver has echoed that call, and we hope police will not defy the people of this city or its mayor when the international spotlight hits the Mile High City next week."