BRECKINRIDGE, Colo.(AP) -- The Colorado ski town of Breckenridge has voted overwhelmingly to legalize marijuana.
Early returns Tuesday night showed the proposal winning with 72 percent of the vote. The measure would allow adults over 21 to have up to 1 ounce of marijuana.
The measure is largely symbolic because pot possession remains a state crime for people without medical clearance. But supporters said they wanted to send a message to local law enforcement to stop busting small-time pot smokers.
The vote comes as communities nationwide are struggling with how to enforce pot laws at a time when medical marijuana has surged in popularity.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
11/04/2009 7:07AM
Should marijuana be legalized in Illinois?
Share your thoughts.
11/04/2009 8:12AM
YES
Marijuana should have never been banned in the first place. Legalize it and tax it.
11/04/2009 8:37AM
about time!!!!!
there are more deaths every year from ciggs an alchol every year !!an they are legal only because the polations are getting money from the taxes.
11/04/2009 9:17AM
Legalize it
If you legalize it there will be less money going into the justice system because of less people getting arrested and having to pay court fines. In addition There will be less people to imprison therefore costing us tax payers $30k /year less to take care of these small time offenders. The bad: The state will begin taxing the regular tax payers more to recoup the lost money...I should be a politician
11/04/2009 9:40AM
pot
To the above; very few, if any, pot smokers go to prison soley on marijuana charges. So, your figures are off.
11/04/2009 11:01AM
TO THE ABOVE
My uncle served 6 mos for 1-1/2 lbs, my co-wokers bro served 1 year for 1lb... my two friends in HS served 2 years for 5 lbs... A cousin served ONLY 5 days for an ounce.. and I served only 2 days for a dime bag... SO YOUR FIGURES ARE OFF!!! By the way.... They weren't distrubuting, they were consuming
11/04/2009 11:04AM
to "POT"
ps...notice that I said "having to pay less court fines"...I never said that they all get convictions....you may have to stop smoking so much yourself..
11/04/2009 11:15AM
to the above
To "Legalize it" you also said "in addition, less people to imprison". My point is that I don't think it will be much of a finacial difference. Slinging immature accusations such as "you may have to stop smoking so much yourself" is out of line. And unintelligent. Not surprising though...
11/04/2009 11:25AM
jail?
Gee...cousin, brother, uncle...all in jail for pot? How did you dudes get caught? Must have done something stupid
11/04/2009 11:37AM
I apologize
I am out of line and for that I apologize. But I disagree with the financial difference. There will be a significant difference since these people who are convicted have to pay fines. The above people who I mentioned who had over 1 lb had to pay over $10k in fines, not to mention lawyer fees. But all in all they are criminals for smoking, therefore they should be punished.
11/04/2009 11:53AM
impressed
Very impressed with the analysis! The fines barely cover the court costs, etc. forget about the jail costs-an incredible drain on society.
The tax revenues would be fantastic. Budget deficits could be reduced and new social programs could be added (think universal healthcare - Canada)
11/04/2009 11:56AM
Sleepy
Don't y'all just love how every comment collection turns into a pissing contest? Y'all need to chill out, smoke a joint and we'd all get along better. Any one got chips?
11/04/2009 12:03PM
Mr Voter
I say make this legal and tax it, sell in stores, 21 age limit, all laws apply as if you do something it's your ass....
I'm tired of this war on Americans ( War on drugs) as this money flows to mexican cartels, now it can go for local schools, roads, and state budgets, this is about time we did this. them silly nancy ragan just say no and 1939 reefer madness are not true...
Vote Yes and tax it!my property taxes are high enough, let's stop the drug dealers on the corners, and let the police catch some of those thugs shooting up the town!
11/04/2009 12:09PM
agree
Bravo! Here's to you, Mr Voter! I couldn't agree more.
11/04/2009 1:15PM
pounds
anything over an ounce is not holding for personal consumption. Comeon now 5 lbs in hs aint for selling, gimmee somea what u been smoking.
11/04/2009 1:34PM
jail?
I used these family members as characters inmy story to prove a point...though if it were real, they probably got caught supplying you...
11/04/2009 3:38PM
stop it
im moving to this place! i just want to blow a b in front of a police and laugh at thm clowns
11/04/2009 7:14PM
idiots
you stoners are messed up
11/04/2009 8:35PM
Choice
It's all about the freedom of choice. Smoking marijuana can cause health problems like alcohol does, but it least it makes most people mellow, not abusive like drunks. I think a person should have the choice to do what they want in the privacy of their home.
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