Colorado Democratic Party officially supports measure to legalize marijuana

The Colorado Democratic Party expressed its official support for the initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol, Amendment 64, at its state convention and assembly in Pueblo on Saturday. It was adopted as a plank in the party’s 2012 “essential platform” and reads:

Item 17: Regulate and tax marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, limiting its use to those 21 or older. We support Amendment 64, the initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol.

The inclusion of the plank was in part a product of a strong grassroots effort that resulted in hundreds of precincts adopting resolutions in support of an endorsement. Fifteen counties – including eight of the state’s 10 largest – also reported adoption of resolutions in support of regulating marijuana like alcohol: El Paso, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, Boulder, Douglas, Weld, Pueblo, Garfield, Eagle, La Plata, Delta, Routt, Elbert, and Pitkin.

A couple Democratic leaders voiced their support in a press release from the campaign.

Cindy Lowery-Graber, chair of the Denver County Democratic Party:

“This is a mainstream issue. Polls show that more than 60 percent of Democrats and a solid majority of Independents believe marijuana should be treated like alcohol. A broad coalition is forming in support of Amendment 64 and I am proud to say that it now includes the Colorado Democratic Party.”

Jeri Shepherd, member of the Colorado Democratic Party 2012 Platform Committee:

“Most Democrats recognize that marijuana prohibition has been just as harmful and ineffective as alcohol prohibition. Amendment 64 presents a smart and responsible new approach. By regulating marijuana like alcohol we can take it out of the underground market and control it while also bolstering Colorado’s economy with significant new tax revenue and job creation.”

Please visit RegulateMarijuana.org to support Amendment 64 to legalize marijuana.