Colorado Marijuana Initiative, Amendment 44 (2006)
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Marijuana Possession Initiative, Amendment 44, appeared on the November 2006 ballot in Colorado as a initiated state statute, where it was defeated
- Yes: 636,938 (41%)
- No: 913,411(59%)
Ballot wording
The official ballot title read:
An amendment to section 18-18-406 (1) of the Colorado revised statutes making legal the possession of one ounce or less of marihuana for any person twenty-one years of age or older.
Supporters
Groups supporting the measure included the Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative Committee, Safer Colorado.Org, and Guarding Our Children Against Marijuana Prohibition.
Supporters argued that Amendment 44 strikes a balance between individual choice and public safety. State law allows adults 21 years of age and older to possess and consume alcohol, but prohibits the possession and use of marijuana. To the extent that some adults believe that using marijuana is a safer alternative to consuming alcohol, possession of a small quantity of marijuana should be a personal and legal choice for them.
They said that Amendment 44 presents a sensible change in priorities without jeopardizing public safety. The proposal could free overburdened state and local criminal justice systems from expending public resources on petty offenders and allow these systems to target their resources on the manufacturers, distributors, and traffickers of illegal drugs. Focusing resources on more serious offenses is logical for taxpayers, they said.[1]
Opponents
Groups opposiong the measure included Students Against Marijuana, Guarding Our Children Against Marijuana, Drug Free Schools Coalition of Colorado, Save Our Society from Drugs, Colorado Elks To Stop 44, and Colorado Family Action Issue Committee.
Opponents aregued that marijuana use may lead a person to use or possess other illegal drugs, leading overall drug use in the state to rise. They argued that the amendment would increase the availability and acceptability of marijuana, as well as the likelihood that minors will have access to the drug.
Opponents argued that state and local drug enforcement costs are minimal compared to the social costs of drug abuse and addiction. Public safety and health concerns, along with the fact that marijuana will remain illegal under federal law, make legalizing marijuana at the state level an unwise public policy decision.[1]
Campaign finance
Donors for the campaign for the measure:[2]
- Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative: $195,715
- Safer Colorado.org: $11,439
- Guarding Our Children Against Marijuana Prohibition: $13
- Total: $207,167
Donors for the campaign against the measure:
- Colorado Family Action Issue Committee: $1,027,777
- Save Our Society From Drugs: $37,971
- Guarding Our Children Against Marijuana: $17,724
- Students Against Marijuana: $3,285
- Colorado Elks to Stop: $844
- Drug Free Schools Coalition of Colorado: $110
- Total: $1,087,711
- Overall Total: $1,294,878
See also
- Procedures for qualifying an initiative in Colorado
- Laws governing the initiative process in Colorado
- Campaign finance requirements for Colorado ballot measures
- Colorado 2006 ballot measures
- Colorado Senate
- Colorado House of Representatives
