AP

Colorado voters will decide next month on Amendment 64. It would legalize marijuana use for recreational purposes. The Colorado Springs City Council passed it five to one Tuesday. Below is the content of that resolution.

A RESOLUTION OPPOSING AMENDMENT 64
LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL USE

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS:

WHEREAS, Amendment 64 would make Colorado the first state in the United States to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 64 would allow anyone twenty-one years or older to possess and consume up to one ounce of marijuana; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 64 would permit opening marijuana retail stores, growing facilities, manufacturing facilities and testing facilities in our community; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 64 conflicts with federal law and jeopardizes federally funded projects because drug-free workplace requirements may not be met; and

WHEREAS, passage of Amendment 64 would result in an increased use of marijuana, harming our children and the educational environment in Colorado; and

WHEREAS, passage of Amendment 64 would harm Colorado’s image as a healthy place to live, work and raise a family; and

WHEREAS, passage of Amendment 64 would undermine workplace safety programs, expose workers to an increased risk of injury and increase liability to employers; and

WHEREAS, passage of Amendment 64 would put Coloradans in danger of increased impaired driving; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 64 dictates tight timelines for burdensome compliance by the Colorado Department of Revenue and local governments; and

WHEREAS, Amendment 64 is a constitutional amendment and the state legislature is limited in implementing regulations; and

WHEREAS, by approving this resolution, the Colorado Springs joins many regional and statewide leaders and organizations in opposing the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS:

Section 1. That the City Council opposes Amendment 64 and the legalization of marijuana for recreational use and supports the “No on 64” campaign to defeat this harmful measure on the November 2012 ballot.

Section 2. The City Council authorizes distribution of this resolution in accordance with the City Code and the Fair Campaign Practices Act.

Supporters of Amendment 64 argue that the drug should be legal for anyone over 21. At a debate on October 1st on the campus of UCCS, pro-marijuana activist Brian Vicente told the crowd, "Marijuana is a substance that can be effectively and safely sold in this state and it can be effectively and safely sold, it's taxed in communities for sick people, why can't it be for adults 21 and over."

As part of that same debate El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa pointed out that he believes regulating marijuana would be very difficult.

"What constitutes a scientific level of driving under the influence? We couldn't agree on it, couldn't determine it, so here we go into another legislative session where we can't treat it like alcohol," Maketa said.

Amendment 64 would allow people 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana.