Roachclip
New Member
Boulder County is getting normal – well, a NORML chapter anyway.
Two local Libertarians got word last week from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws that their Boulder County chapter is official. Longmont resident Paul Tiger and Boulder resident Jeff Christen-Mitchell are hoping to grow the chapter beyond its current five members.
"We decided that, look, there's a whole mess of card-carrying NORML members in the county and no organization to support them," Tiger said.
There are about 105 NORML chapters nationwide. The Boulder chapter will bring the number in Colorado to two. The other chapter is at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
A chapter previously existed at the University of Colorado, but folded a few years ago.
"Boulder is sort of a natural place to have a chapter," said Kris Krane, associate director of NORML.
In addition to lobbying for the decriminalization of marijuana, Krane said the nonprofit also tries to fight the stereotype often associated with its users.
"Most pot smokers are good citizens; they pay taxes and raise families," Krane said. "We don't feel they should be treated as criminals and we shouldn't be using taxpayers' dollars to do so."
NORML also supports a legally controlled market for marijuana.
Tiger, who is running for the District 2 seat on the Boulder County Board of Commissioners, said he's upset that federal law enforcement is cracking down on Coloradans using marijuana for medical purposes.
In 2000, Colorado voters approved Amendment 20, which legalizes marijuana use for people who can legally claim a medical need. Those on the state registry may possess 2 ounces of marijuana and six marijuana plants and smoke or eat marijuana in their home.
"We want to educate legislators that the government – the federal government – is infringing on the state; and here in Boulder County see an end to the drug task force," Tiger said.
The Boulder County Drug Task Force isn't following its original charge to crack down on hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, Tiger said.
Instead, the largely county-funded group spends it time busting marijuana offenders, he said.
"Marijuana is an illegal drug on the books," said Lt. Steve Prentup, head of the Boulder County Drug Task Force. "We're charged with a task to enforce the law."
Prentup said that while the task force's name may sound ominous, it's really just a way to collaborate law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions. Less than 3 percent of local law enforcement resources go to drug enforcement, he said.
Christen-Mitchell, a founding member of the new Boulder NORML chapter, said what law enforcement is doing isn't working.
He hopes the local chapter will spark others in Colorado.
"Our next step is to try to organize at the state level," Christen-Mitchell said.
Camera
By Kate Larsen
September 7, 2004
Copyright 2004, The Daily Camera and the E.W. Scripps Company.
Boulder DailyCamera.com Colorado, News, Business, Sports, Homes, Jobs, Cars and Information - Boulder Daily Camera
Two local Libertarians got word last week from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws that their Boulder County chapter is official. Longmont resident Paul Tiger and Boulder resident Jeff Christen-Mitchell are hoping to grow the chapter beyond its current five members.
"We decided that, look, there's a whole mess of card-carrying NORML members in the county and no organization to support them," Tiger said.
There are about 105 NORML chapters nationwide. The Boulder chapter will bring the number in Colorado to two. The other chapter is at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
A chapter previously existed at the University of Colorado, but folded a few years ago.
"Boulder is sort of a natural place to have a chapter," said Kris Krane, associate director of NORML.
In addition to lobbying for the decriminalization of marijuana, Krane said the nonprofit also tries to fight the stereotype often associated with its users.
"Most pot smokers are good citizens; they pay taxes and raise families," Krane said. "We don't feel they should be treated as criminals and we shouldn't be using taxpayers' dollars to do so."
NORML also supports a legally controlled market for marijuana.
Tiger, who is running for the District 2 seat on the Boulder County Board of Commissioners, said he's upset that federal law enforcement is cracking down on Coloradans using marijuana for medical purposes.
In 2000, Colorado voters approved Amendment 20, which legalizes marijuana use for people who can legally claim a medical need. Those on the state registry may possess 2 ounces of marijuana and six marijuana plants and smoke or eat marijuana in their home.
"We want to educate legislators that the government – the federal government – is infringing on the state; and here in Boulder County see an end to the drug task force," Tiger said.
The Boulder County Drug Task Force isn't following its original charge to crack down on hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, Tiger said.
Instead, the largely county-funded group spends it time busting marijuana offenders, he said.
"Marijuana is an illegal drug on the books," said Lt. Steve Prentup, head of the Boulder County Drug Task Force. "We're charged with a task to enforce the law."
Prentup said that while the task force's name may sound ominous, it's really just a way to collaborate law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions. Less than 3 percent of local law enforcement resources go to drug enforcement, he said.
Christen-Mitchell, a founding member of the new Boulder NORML chapter, said what law enforcement is doing isn't working.
He hopes the local chapter will spark others in Colorado.
"Our next step is to try to organize at the state level," Christen-Mitchell said.
Camera
By Kate Larsen
September 7, 2004
Copyright 2004, The Daily Camera and the E.W. Scripps Company.
Boulder DailyCamera.com Colorado, News, Business, Sports, Homes, Jobs, Cars and Information - Boulder Daily Camera
