Amendment 64 – As Important as the Presidental Election

Amendment 64, marijuana for recreational use has been perhaps the biggest political question facing Colorado voters outside the tight presidential contest. It is far from decided, and could directly effect us here in Colorado as much or more than who we pick as our next president.

Amendment 64 would allow adults over 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana. It also would allow people to grow as many as six marijuana plants in private, secure areas.

Many supporters do so simply because they believe government should play no role in regulating the market for marijuana--that government interference of any sort in the market is highly inefficient. One line of argument offered by the organization Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol suggests that regulation, in fact, reduces teens' use of marijuana, provides an alternative to teens' use of more dangerous drugs, and makes the sale and purchase of marijuana safe. Regulation would, moreover, both reduce the costs of current enforcement policies and provide economic benefits such as providing "$24 million annually in state revenue for the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) capital construction program" and creating new jobs.

The group No on 64 objects to Amendment 64 chiefly because it claims the amendment would lead to increased use of marijuana, a consequence the group considers harmful as such. In particular, the group sees marijuana as addictive and as damaging to children because they believe it "permanently affects brain development, impairs learning ability and contributes to depression."

The largest poll for the amendment, conducted October 23rd, indicated that "Colorado's amendment to legalize marijuana continues to lead for passage with 53% of voters saying they plan to support it to 43% who are opposed."