News (Media Awareness Project) - US NC: Edu: Marijuana Legalized In Denver |
| Title: | US NC: Edu: Marijuana Legalized In Denver |
| Published On: | 2005-11-09 |
| Source: | Technician, The (NC State U, NC Edu) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-15 09:05:24 |
MARIJUANA LEGALIZED IN DENVER
Now that marijuana has been legalized in Denver, the "Mile High City"
definitely means something new.
Denver residents voted 54 percent to 46 percent to legalize the
possession of an ounce of marijuana for those over 21 years of age.
State possession laws, however, will still be applied according to authorities.
Those who support the law agree that use of marijuana is safer than
cigarettes and second-hand smoke. Members from the group Safer
Alternatives for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) educated voters on the
more harmful effects of alcohol on society as opposed to marijuana.
At N.C. State students are split on the issue of whether or not any
amount of marijuana should be legal. Ryan MCcauley, a junior in
sports management, said he believes that making marijuana legal is
safer for its users.
"It's a smart idea [to make marijuana legal] because so many people
are doing it anyway, and if it's legal there is less danger involved
in people buying and selling it," McCauley said.
Less violence is one reason that some are in favor of the law, other
reasons include decreasing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths.
"Marijuana should definitely be legal," Kelly Clark, a junior in
political science, said. "If it's made legal than people would get
into less trouble trying to hide it."
Denver is not the only state to follow these laws; Seattle, Oakland
and even a couple of college towns have made laws on possession
minimal priority for law enforcement.
According to Clark, making possession of marijuana legal will cut
down on drinking and drinking related deaths.
"Kids [who] are smoking pot aren't drinking and driving, nor are they
nearly as impaired as a drunk person," Clark said.
Some feel that to legalize marijuana would cause increased drug
addiction percentages and higher chances of school age children using
it as well.
"If pot is made legal, then kids won't be afraid to do it," said
Lucia Lazarowski, a junior in Education, said. "If it's made legal
more people would do it and become addicted."
Now that marijuana has been legalized in Denver, the "Mile High City"
definitely means something new.
Denver residents voted 54 percent to 46 percent to legalize the
possession of an ounce of marijuana for those over 21 years of age.
State possession laws, however, will still be applied according to authorities.
Those who support the law agree that use of marijuana is safer than
cigarettes and second-hand smoke. Members from the group Safer
Alternatives for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) educated voters on the
more harmful effects of alcohol on society as opposed to marijuana.
At N.C. State students are split on the issue of whether or not any
amount of marijuana should be legal. Ryan MCcauley, a junior in
sports management, said he believes that making marijuana legal is
safer for its users.
"It's a smart idea [to make marijuana legal] because so many people
are doing it anyway, and if it's legal there is less danger involved
in people buying and selling it," McCauley said.
Less violence is one reason that some are in favor of the law, other
reasons include decreasing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related deaths.
"Marijuana should definitely be legal," Kelly Clark, a junior in
political science, said. "If it's made legal than people would get
into less trouble trying to hide it."
Denver is not the only state to follow these laws; Seattle, Oakland
and even a couple of college towns have made laws on possession
minimal priority for law enforcement.
According to Clark, making possession of marijuana legal will cut
down on drinking and drinking related deaths.
"Kids [who] are smoking pot aren't drinking and driving, nor are they
nearly as impaired as a drunk person," Clark said.
Some feel that to legalize marijuana would cause increased drug
addiction percentages and higher chances of school age children using
it as well.
"If pot is made legal, then kids won't be afraid to do it," said
Lucia Lazarowski, a junior in Education, said. "If it's made legal
more people would do it and become addicted."
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