Breckenridge Votes to Legalize Pot

(AP)  Breckenridge made pot legal, Denver rejected a get-tough proposal on unlicensed drivers, and tax hikes were turned back around the state Tuesday in municipal elections that appeared to show a public in an anti-government mood.

In Breckenridge, 72 percent of voters in early returns voted to make up to 1 ounce of marijuana legal for adults over 21. The measure is largely symbolic — pot possession is still against state law — but supporters said they wanted to send a message to local law enforcement to stop busting small-time pot smokers.

"We believe this a signal to the state of Colorado and the nation as a whole," said Sean McAllister, a Breckenridge lawyer who pushed the decriminalization measure. Denver approved a similar decriminalization in 2005.

The Breckenridge vote came as communities nationwide are struggling with how to enforce pot laws at a time when medical marijuana has surged in popularity, especially in Colorado and California.

McAllister said the vote shows people want to skip medical marijuana and legalize pot for everyone.

"They're saying, 'We've seen this drug war, and it has failed,"' McAllister said.

Special Report: Marijuana Nation


CBSNews.com Election Night Coverage:

Results

All Election Night 2009 Results
Republicans Sweep N.J., Va. Gov. Races
N.Y. Democrat Owens Wins House Seat
Maine Voters Reject Gay Marriage
Breckenridge, Colo., Votes to Legalize Pot


Analysis

What McDonnell's Win Means for the GOP, Obama
Corzine's Fall Has Been Festering for a While
What McDonnell's Win Means for the GOP, Obama
Lessons for the White House from '09 Election Results
Why Christie Won in New Jersey
McDonnell Won Due to Turnout, Independents
Exit Polls in Va. and N.J.: The Obama (Non) Factor?

[dano-92984]

I am just getting into this study also. Its interesting I found out the truth about so much before researching the "Tree of Life" as some say it could be, it does bring joy to the heart, It does produce 12 fruits from its branches right? wood, cloths, food, etc etc. It kills cancer, Stimulates the Brain, It cures a lot. THe first medical doctor to write a book in 1850 wrote canna bis (kanna bosim) is the best cure for many things, THe best cure on earth for a headache. It was used in 100's of pills in 1920. It also is givin to epilipsy,parkinsins, and alzhimers patients today and is known to show amazing results. The bible says a special gift in the cluster and man will try to destroy it. Its up to you to decide, i havent done enoough research yet, but as a christian triing to please God I havent found a real good reason to not smoke but children may change that until there 18 or so. No bad effects but a lots of good effects, means what to us all? apparently it means nothing. Lets hope we can find the truth together as followers of Christ, Amen

[dano-92984]

And you could grow coco leaves and chew them every day of your natural life as South American's do and live a long healthy life as if its a morning cup of coffee. Speaking of coffee, isn't cocaine "Americas cup of coffee" at 35 billion a year.
Another view could be to make drugs legal. It would create major regulation, save police lives,save trillions in prisons, and Unite the Country in a new job market. Hemp alone could replace at least 12 things like cotton, lumber, medical cures by doctors. THEY DONT WANT US TO BE CURED AND HAPPY! They need "Sick" "Users" "Criminals" or a lot less lawyers, judges, police, prison guards, and criminals. They got scared in 1930 when hemo could out produce WOOD and COTTON....

[sarcasticfrog]

This is just the beginning. I will tell you this, if you are a person afraid cannabis will kill and ruin millions of lives... what country do you live in? Must not be America, because millions of people already use the illegal substance. It is a far safer substance than alcohol.

Cannabis is ON THE ROAD to decriminalization/legalization. Nixon didn't listen to the first commission (Shafer Commission) that recommended allowing adult American citizens to possess and use cannabis.

Currently, today we have a senator (stuck in the 1950s - Chuck Grassley - Iowa) who is trying to tell, again (Nixon), what a commission should do regarding recommending marijuana's decriminalization/legalization and our correctional system failure. This is a disgrace and a pathetic move from a politician in America. This is in fact, a Gag Order Amendment. I'm sorry, but why the hell should you have a system in checking laws and failures, if you aren't going to listen and accept the research and scientific data put into a report?

I know Grassley went to Sunday School, but I doubt he went to anything beyond the 8th grade.

[MsEllaneous]

Endurorob - google " kaneh-bosm " and/or " kaneh bosem "

Here is an article from the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/jan/06/science.religion

[petewhite52]

Thank god there is a town in the US that gets it.
The governemet has no idea how many people actually smoke weed in this country and how much revenue we are losing.
When, it comes down to it. I would rather be in a car with a pot smoker than someone drinking...and yes that happens. Or half the legal prescribed drugs that people drive under the influence of that are way more dangerous.
And forget the old adage about it leading to harder stuff...been doing it for years and that is all the drug I need.
Hallelujah. Congratulations to the populace of Breckenbridge....
You have just made life easier for a lot of people in that community.
Unfortuantely, the rest of us have to contend with a lot of narrow minded, perhaps alki drinkers....that think their stuppor doesn't stink.

[pickaguitar1]

I wanna move to Breckenridge now!

[endurorob_5]

dragon8me November 4, 2009 7:47 AM EST
Up untill prohibition, Cannabis was the most prescribed medicine in the world, at least in the US. It was an ingredient in hundreds of medicines. It's also one of the ingrediencts in the anointing oil that Jesus was anointed with (Kanna Bossim, not sure about the spelling).



I would like to see references to that because I believe you are full of it.

[Sloughfoot]

I'll bet you have a source for your assertions, or are you the source?

[Android64]

There is a State Criminal code and a Federal Criminal code. There is no municipal criminal code. Therefore the town cannot decriminalize what it doesn't have jurisdiction over. The most the town can do is order their municipal police officers not to arrest persons in possession of less than 1 ounce. Unfortunately, every Police Officer and every elected municipal politician took an oath to uphold the law when they got their job or took office. Ordering the PD not to enforce State and Federal laws would be a violation of their oaths.

The Great American Society was built upon great American values. We need to remind ourselves that the privilege of being an American comes with a small price to pay - to uphold the laws. Let's show some backbone, and say no to something that is unnecessary.

[jtdev1]

get real!

[answerman420]

and what if the govt makes reading illegal; should we stop for the privilege of being an american?

[Android64]

There is a State Criminal code and a Federal Criminal code. There is no municipal criminal code. Therefore the town cannot decriminalize what it doesn't have jurisdiction over. The most the townn can do is order their municipal police officers not to arrest persons in possession of less than 1 ounce. Unfortunatley, every Police Officer and every elected municipal politician took an oath to uphold the law when they got their job or took office. Ordering the PD not to enforce State and Federal laws would be a violation of their oaths.

The Great American Society was built upon great Amedican values. We need to remind ourselves that the privilege of being an American comes with a small price to pay - to uphold the laws. Let's show some backbone, and say no to something that is unnecessary.

[answerman420]

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." --Declaration of Independence as originally written by Thomas Jefferson, 1776. ME 1:29, Papers 1:315

[ratty18]

It is about time that New York Gov Patterson legalizes medical Marijuana I know too many termainal cancer patients that have to get unknown pot from street vendors not knowing what it contains. Most are too afraid of arrest to grow their own. So NY makes criminals out of terminal patients who are looking for some relief for pain, inability to eat etc. Let's grow up American and New York. It is time for change. Look at the savings, less jail costs, new tax revenues, better care for people requiring or at least wanting to try this as a medication.