Man hopes to legalize marijuana in Durango

Sensible Durango collecting signatures for 2010 ballot

by Shane Benjamin
Herald Staff Writer

Article Last Updated; Saturday, November 07, 2009 12:06AM

Photo by STEVE LEWIS/Herald

Corey Chavez, director of Sensible Durango, holds up a copy of the proposed ordinance to “remove criminal penalties from the City Code for the private possession and use of marijuana by those twenty-one (21) years of age or older.”

A group called Sensible Durango wants voters to decide in November 2010 whether to decriminalize marijuana - at least when it comes to the City Code.

Sensible Durango is gathering signatures from city voters in an effort to force a ballot question that asks: Should the city of Durango adopt "An Ordinance to Establish a Sensible Marijuana Policy in Durango" that would remove criminal penalties from the City Code for the private possession and use of marijuana by those 21 or older?

"People from all walks of life have experience with it and use it regularly."

- Corey Chavez, Sensible Durango

The possession limit would be 1 ounce.

The proposed ballot question is similar to one that passed earlier this week in Breckenridge, with 71 percent of the votes in favor. Denver approved a similar measure in 2007.

But they are largely symbolic measures, because the use or possession of marijuana remains illegal under state law unless individuals have medical approval.

Brian Vicente, executive director of Denver-based Sensible Colorado, said decriminalizing marijuana gives police discretion to decide whether to cite residents for marijuana.

"We're hoping (Breckenridge police) will choose not to use their discretion, to reflect the overall will of the voters," he said.

Efforts to reach a Durango Police Department spokeswoman for comment Friday afternoon were unsuccessful. City employees were on a furlough day Friday.

In order to trigger a vote in Durango, a certain percentage of registered voters must sign a petition.

Corey Chavez, 24, director of Sensible Durango, estimates about 1,200 city voters must sign the petition to force a vote. But he plans to collect about 4,000 signatures.

"I think Durango will be the next city to pass an initiative," Chavez said Friday.

Fifty-four percent of La Plata County voters approved Amendment 44 in 2007, which would have amended Colorado state law to remove all penalties for possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana by adults 21 or older. The measure failed statewide.

By decriminalizing marijuana in Durango, Chavez hopes to start a discussion that will eventually lead to the legalization of marijuana statewide.

As communities across the state begin to legalize marijuana, voters will be better educated and more willing to approve a statewide measure next time it is presented, Vicente said.

"It's local communities like Durango that lead the way," Vicente said. "We can't sit back and wait for the state to take action. We have to take local action."

Chavez said he supports the legalization of marijuana because it is safer than alcohol and should be treated accordingly. Legalizing marijuana would take it out of the hands of the "black market" and allow the government to regulate it, he said. And that could generate tax revenue for the state.

"It's widely used and a very popular recreational substance," Chavez said. "People from all walks of life have experience with it and use it regularly."

When contacted Friday, City Manager Ron LeBlanc said he was unaware of the group's petition effort.

But he said it will be important to evaluate the initiative from a "community perspective" - possibly even creating a task force to evaluate various viewpoints and concerns on the part of residents.

When residents bypass the governing body by going to the voters, some details are overlooked, LeBlanc said. For example, it is possible the new law will conflict with existing laws.

If such a ballot measure were to pass, LeBlanc said he'd like to be ready to enact any new ordinance that may be necessary to prevent discrepancies or address other concerns.

If there is overwhelming support for the ballot measure, it may not be necessary to put it to a vote, LeBlanc said, because the governing body may wish to change the code itself.

shane@durangoherald.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
at 2:41:48 AM

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SunflowerPipes says...

It is the stigma that scares many people who use smoking pipes to keep it a secret. One of the problems inhibiting legalization is that people who smoke a glass pipe are not considered serious or mature. It is the public to make our choices known and to make sure our voices are heard. With the economy the way it is today this is the best chance to change the law. Send a letter make, send an email make a phone call, every hand written Letter that makes it to a representative is considered to be the voice of thousands of people who did not take the time to write and that is a power we all have.
Sunflower Pipes
Sunday, November 08, 2009
at 3:22:35 PM

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RFWoodstock says...

Valid medicinal value, its a victimless crime, the War on Drugs WAY too costly, too many arrests for simple possession, tax it and use the money to pay for health insurance and to reduce the deficitNeed I say more?

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RFWoodstock
Sunday, November 08, 2009
at 2:11:50 PM

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Jade says...

I am a senior at Durano High School and i did a 6 page report on marijuana, about the pros, the cons, and the different effects marijuana can have on the brain and i did not find any reasonable argument against it. Medical marijuana can help up to 5 million Americans every year. It can help many people cope with Chronic Pain, Aids, Epilepsy, Glaucoma, Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, and so much more. The main effects on a person are temporary paranoia and temporary short term memory loss. There is a percentage of tar, but its not more than whats in cigarettes, and in order for it to affect any one they would have to excessively abuse marijuana. Now there has never been any overdoses from marijuana and no record of any lung cancer from it either. I agree that if we treat marijuana the same as we treat alcohol with penalties for driving under the influence, a legitimate age limit, and an understanding that this is a medication not something to abuse this can become something that can potentially help everyone in the long run. The government could tax it and gain an ongoing income from the constant flow of money. Now i could go on for days but unfortunately i cant so ill leave you with that.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 5:28:50 PM

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Iggy says...

I used to have a ton of problems falling asleep at night.
I could not calm my mind down and would end up having chronic
insomnia. However, earlier this year I tried MJ for the first
time and now after I get home from work at night I take 4 to 5 hits
and my mind calms down and I am able to sleep.
I think decriminalization is a great idea and I agree
we need to take the stuff off the black market, regulate it (sell by THC levels, like alcohol levels), add age limit, and give it same punishment
as drunk driving while operating a vehicle. It could work, never know unless we try.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 4:30:25 PM

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Patrick Lee says...

Legalizing Pot is not going to suddenly raise traffic fatalities or accidents. If a person is going to drive high or drunk NO LAW is going to prevent that!! Guaranteed there is more violence from continuing "archaic and puritanical laws". It is obsessive-compulsive for our local, state, and federal governments to pass one tyrannical law after another...wake-up America...vote Libertarian and kick the tyranny out of office!!!
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 3:55:34 PM

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Patrick Lee says...

Why couldn't they decriminilize it when I was there...LOL. Oh well, better late than never. Pot laws are stupid anyway, 'bout damn time!!! Elect Libertarians and these laws will become a thing of the past in most states!!
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 12:17:14 PM

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Corey Chavez says...

If you would like to get involved with Sensible Durango, please email: sensibledurango@yahoo.com
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 11:34:19 AM

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Nico says...

Personally I hope this goes through. Although it might not have a definite effect on the number of arrests county wide I still think it is a step in the right direction. I don't use marijuana however my mother is a licensed medical marijuana patient and I am her caregiver, she suffers from 5 of the ailments that qualify a person to receive a license. With this said I have seen how marijuana can help people but I still believe there is a distinct difference between use and abuse, and chances are if you are driving stoned you most likely fall under the the latter category.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 10:21:47 AM

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J C L says...

Marijuana is Not a Drug! The goverment say is a drug! It's just a plan and has madecin benefits! Stop say things without knolege!
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 10:21:36 AM

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Dallas J says...

Jat, The DOT would still have all of its drivers meet the requirements for having there CDL. So therefore a bus driver would not have the ability to have a license to perform such jobs.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 9:45:23 AM

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Ryan says...

Douglas, there is no doubt stoned drivers have been on our highways in droves since the 1960's. Also no doubt that drunks are responsible for numerous deaths each year. Problem is there is no way to determine how high someone is behind the wheel as there is for alcohol. Also the average THC content in the 1960's hovered around 1.5%. These days growers have become much more sophisticated and can now produce pot that is around 25% - 30% THC content. Until these matters can be addressed, you will not see Marijuana become fully legalized.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 9:37:17 AM

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Dennis Davis says...

Marijuana Helps Me Cope With My Hepatitis C. I Am 58 Years Old. I Have Had It For Over 27 Years. When People Understand What Medical Benefits Marijuana Has To Offer,They May Underdtand Why It Needs To Be Legalize. I Have Never Heard Of Medical Liquor. Look At All The People Dying From Smoking Cigarettes. In The 30 Years Of Smoking Marijuana, I Have Never Heard Of Someone Having Cancer From Smoking Marijuana. It Will Save Lives And It Will Bring In A Much Needed "CASH FLOW". legalizing Pot Will Be Good For Our Country.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 8:25:52 AM

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Carl Rastella says...

I, for one do NOT USE it!! But the government on all levels would save millions, mostly on the policing end! And the surest and fastest way to eliminate abuse is to make it legal to grow or use . Should anyone abuse that privilege, they should be prossecuted to the fullest! Our government is run ,for the most part, penny wise and Dollar foolish. Tax it like they do cigarettes and liquor and all will benefit, EXCEPT THE REAL DRUG RUNNERS! And in the long run, will help law enforcers to go after the real bad people. Looks like a sure win for the people, and a sure loss for the drug runners!
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 8:16:54 AM

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ponomo says...

Neither one, potsmokers or drunks, should be driving...Douglas Longcor.
I have had relatives (nephew and brother-in-law) killed by a driver that was "high." Put the pipe away, D. Longcor. Just go for a walk in he park.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 7:41:34 AM

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Douglas Longcor says...

Jat; You are naive to think that users haven't been on the highways in DROVES since the 1960's! Now I ask you to show me all these accidents & deaths, murders, caused by someone that was stoned. Please.... Now show me the #'s of people killed by a drunk.... I would rather meet the first than the latter on the road any day.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 7:32:14 AM

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ponomo says...

I agree with jat.
But wait---every irresponsibility will be covered under nationalized health
care. ... legal and "illegal." What a great feeling!
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 6:35:53 AM

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samuel says...

Jat's comments contain maybes, ifs, ands and buts,followed by an apology. Sorry, but thats not good enough anymore. Too many lives are being ruined by these ridiculous and cruel laws..........
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 4:43:49 AM

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Ali says...

Well, I'm a educated person with a degree and I Love Pot! Once a doctor tried to feed me pills for panic attacks . . . nothing better than smoking a doobie after doing chest compressions for 10-20 minutes. Some drink . . .I smoke =) Pot needs to be legal the world would be calm and nice.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
at 4:14:08 AM

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jat says...

maybe the next accident will be a "stoned" person that wrecks there auto into one of your family members or maybe the bus driver who can't make clear judgement and puts your kids in harm or let your kids smoke because your the cool parents and then deal with there problems as there drug use increases and they and you have to live with your right to smoke dope
- i am sorry-get use to it- you will here that alot out of drug abusers-
sorry