Marijuana Is Legal in Colorado…Now What?
On November 6, 2012 the citizens of Colorado and Washington voted to regulate marijuana like alcohol. In Colorado, where around 10,000 people are arrested for violating marijuana laws each year, 55 percent voted in favor of Amendment 64. On December 10, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper officially made Amendment 64 part of the state's constitution.
The governor also signed an executive order establishing a task force of government officials and other stakeholders to make recommendations to the legislature about how to establish a legal market for businesses to cultivate and sell marijuana to adults. For now, adults 21 years old and over can possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants.
How did the federal government respond? On the day after November's election, Justice Department spokesperson Nanda Chitre said, "The Department's enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act remains unchained."
November 6 was an historic day for drug policy reformers across the country, but at this point it's anybody's guess whether or not the feds will respect the will of the voters in Colorado and Washington.
Reason TV traveled to Colorado to see what residents there are thinking.
Approximately 2.30 minutes. Produced by Paul Feine and Alex Manning.
