DENVER (Reuters) – Throughout his presidency, Barack Obama hasn’t exactly been a
friend to marijuana users.

Sure, he has acknowledged smoking pot as a young man, but he has disappointed
marijuana advocates by opposing its legalization, regulation and taxation like
alcohol.

And the Justice Department’s occasional crackdown under his administration on
medical marijuana dispensaries, which 17 states and the District of Columbia
allow, has angered others.

So now, with Obama facing a stiff challenge from Republican Mitt Romney in the
November 6 election, it’s ironic that his chances of winning the key state of
Colorado could hinge on marijuana legalization, supported by a growing number of
Americans.

At issue is whether Obama will get a boost from young voters expected to be
among the most enthusiastic backers of a Colorado ballot initiative that would
legalize possession of up to an ounce of pot for recreational use – and give the
state the most liberal marijuana law in the nation.

The initiative is a reflection of Colorado’s unique blend of laid-back
liberalism and anti-regulation conservatism that helped make the state the
birthplace of the Libertarian Party.

It’s a state where people of different political stripes see marijuana laws as
an example of government needlessly sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong.

It’s also a proving ground for advocates who see legalization as a way to ease
crowding in prisons, generate much-needed tax revenues, create jobs and weaken
Mexican cartels that thrive on Americans’ appetite for illegal drugs.

The Rocky Mountain State already allows the use of marijuana for medical
purposes such as severe pain relief, and some communities have embraced it
enthusiastically.

The prevalence of medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver has moved pot into
the mainstream in Colorado’s capital city.

In Denver County, home to about 600,000 people, one in every 41 residents is a
registered medical marijuana patient, leading to chuckles about the “Mile High
City.” Denver is roughly a mile above sea level.

The number of places licensed to sell medical marijuana products has reached 400
here, according to the Denver Post. That means there are more dispensaries in
the capital than there are Starbucks coffee shops (375) statewide.

A similar bill is on the ballot in Washington, another state that already allows
use of medical marijuana. If approved, the initiatives would put the states
squarely in the crosshairs of federal law, which classifies cannabis as an
illegal narcotic.

PATH TO THE WHITE HOUSE

It’s unclear precisely how the U.S. Justice Department – whether led by Obama or
Romney – would respond if Colorado, Washington or other states legalize
marijuana for recreational use. Both politicians oppose legalizing the drug.

But in a close presidential election in which Colorado could be a tipping point
- and with polls showing Obama has up to a 30-point edge over Romney among
voters age 30 and under – the state’s marijuana initiative could be a factor if
it inspires waves of young voters to cast ballots on November 6.

“This is an issue that is really meaningful to young people, people of color,
disenfranchised communities,” groups that typically lag in registering and
showing up to vote, said Brian Vicente, 35, executive director of Sensible
Colorado, a group seeking less restrictive marijuana laws.

“Democrats and Obama need these groups to win,” Vicente said. “The path to the
White House leads through Colorado. We feel we can motivate these groups.”

Last winter, Public Policy Polling found that 49 percent of Coloradans favored
legalization, while 41 percent opposed it.

As much as some Democrats feel they have the wind at their backs, they are
fighting history in Colorado. Obama won the state in 2008, but he was the first
Democratic presidential contender to do so in 16 years.

And even though a majority of the delegates at the Colorado Democratic Party’s
convention last month said they supported legalization, some party officials are
skeptical the politically diverse movement will help Obama much this fall.

They note that Colorado voters rejected such a legalization measure in 2006, and
that Californians blocked a similar initiative two years ago.

“If they get 40 percent” of voters supporting legalization, “they should throw
themselves a party,” said Matt Inzeo, spokesman for Colorado’s Democratic Party.

Others see more potential in the legalization debate’s impact on the
presidential race.

Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling said that if the state-by-state race for the
270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency comes down to Colorado’s 9
electoral votes, marijuana “could be a difference maker.”

BROADENING SUPPORT

During a recent visit to Colorado, Romney seemed irritated when a local
television reporter quizzed him on his views about gay marriage, immigration
reform and marijuana legalization.

“Aren’t there issues of significance you’d like to talk about?” an exasperated
Romney asked.

In Colorado, however, marijuana is significant. And its acceptance hasn’t been
limited to more liberal areas.

Colorado Springs, home to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the evangelical
Christian group Focus on the Family, is one of the most conservative cities in
the United States. But the city of 400,000 about 70 miles south of Denver has
nearly as many marijuana dispensaries as churches, according to city records.

Supporters of Colorado’s initiative point to a broadening coalition of those who
support legalization, including local civil rights and union leaders.

Those opposing marijuana legalization often cite the drug’s impact on youths.

Roger Sherman, a strategist for the campaign against Amendment 64, said “there’s
a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and a high level of concern” among those who
oppose legalization. His group cites increased drug use among children and
increasing cases of impaired driving.

Nationwide polling on marijuana legalization, although sparse, suggests that
support now equals support for marriage equality, which just found a new backer
in Obama.

In October, 50 percent of Americans said “yes” when asked by Gallup, “Do you
think the use of marijuana should be made legal, or not?” When Gallup asked that
in 1969, 12 percent said yes.

Last week, a Rasmussen Reports survey said 56 percent of likely U.S. voters
favored legalizing and regulating marijuana.

QUESTIONING OBAMA

Supporters of legalization also argue that regulating marijuana – and capturing
tax revenue from its sale – could help governments, cities and towns face
increasingly tight budgets.

In 2011, taxes for medical marijuana generated $5 million for Colorado.
Denver-based political strategist Rick Ridder said that depending upon the cost
of an ounce, legalization would likely generate $20 million to $80 million in
annual tax revenue for Colorado and local communities.

As designed, Amendment 64 would designate its first $40 million in tax revenue
for rebuilding public schools. As part of a bond issue, that amount could turn
into a treasure chest for public education funding in Colorado.

Legalization advocates see Obama’s crackdown on some medical marijuana outlets
as hypocritical, noting that in his memoir “Dreams from My Father” he
acknowledged smoking pot as a youth.

“It’s really insulting with this president. He actually smoked pot in high
school and college. The only difference is he didn’t get caught. If he had
gotten caught, he would not be president,” said Wanda James, 48, whose business,
Simply Pure, supplies 300 Colorado dispensaries with edible marijuana.

She tells community leaders that legalization is not just about pot smokers
having a good time, legally. She sees it as a way to ease prison crowding, help
cash-strapped governments, provide jobs and weaken drug cartels.

Legalization, of course, would mean a larger market for James’ indica sesame
brittle bars and sativa peppermint cups.

To James, legalizing marijuana boils down to what could be a good slogan for
this year’s elections: “Jobs, jobs, jobs.”

Yahoo! News, 02.06.2012

http://news.yahoo.com/marijuana-initiative-could-break-obama-colorado-131529087.html