LOCAL POT GROUP PUSHING COORS BOYCOTT AT CU

The group that persuaded voters to legalize small amounts of
marijuana in Denver has set its sights on the University of Colorado
at Boulder.

SAFER (Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation) will ask CU
students today to boycott Coors products until the Board of Regents
agrees to reduce penalties for students caught on campus with pot,
executive director Mason Tvert said.

The Coors family and Molson Coors Brewing Co. have been longtime
supporters of CU. This year, for example, Molson Coors is paying
$392,000 to sponsor CU football and basketball. The agreement allows
the company to advertise in CU stadiums and on TV and radio broadcasts.

SAFER argues that alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana and that
if CU wants to reduce alcohol-related problems on campus, it should
lessen pot penalties and cut ties with Coors.

"Given the cozy relationship between CU and Coors, we see this
boycott as the best way to attack the university's pro-alcohol
policies," Tvert said.

CU-Boulder spokeswoman Pauline Hale declined to comment on the
proposed boycott, saying the university had not seen SAFER's leaflets.

A spokesperson for Molson Coors could not be reached for comment.

SAFER led this fall's successful campaign to legalize possession of 1
ounce or less of marijuana in Denver for people 21 and older,
although the local law does not trump the tougher state law. Last
spring, the group was involved in successful pro-pot referendums at
CU-Boulder and Colorado State University.

CU-Boulder students voted 3,926 to 1,866 to ask CU officials to make
penalties for students caught with marijuana equal to those for
students caught with alcohol. They also wanted CU to study whether
such a change would lead to fewer alcohol-related problems.

Students who are 21 and older may legally drink on campus, while all
students are prohibited from using marijuana. A "two-strike" policy
approved last year leads to suspension for any student with two
convictions for abuse of alcohol, marijuana or any other drug.