Colorado Ski Resort Legalizes Adult Use

By Brian Vicente Sensible CO Executive Director

In a decisive victory for equality, a high-profile Colorado ski tourist destination voted to legalize adult possession of cannabis. Breckenridge voters on Nov. 3 passed Measure 2F by a 73 percent vote to remove from the Town Code criminal penalties for private possession of up to one ounce by adults 21 and older.

In a cutting-edge move, the ordinance also removes criminal penalties for the possession of drug paraphernalia. This is the first ordinance change in Colorado — and likely national — history to remove penalties for both cannabis and associated paraphernalia.

“This vote demonstrates that our Breckenridge citizens overwhelmingly believe that adults should not be punished for making the safer choice to use marijuana instead of alcohol, said Sean McAllister, Breckenridge attorney and chair of Sensible Breckenridge.

“As state and national focus grows on this important issue, the popular ski town of Breckenridge has taken center stage on marijuana reform — and not just for medical purposes, said Brian Vicente of Sensible Colorado, the statewide nonprofit which assisted the local effort. “With this historic vote, Breckenridge has emerged as a national leader in sensible drug policy.

The campaign, which had no formal opposition, received a chorus of local support including endorsements from Breckenridge Colorado Town Councilman Jeffrey Bergeron, former State Represen­tative and Breckenridge resident Gary Lindstrom, and the Summit Daily News.

Measure 2F was placed on the ballot when over 1400 local supporters signed a petition supporting the reform measure. The ordinance change goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2010.