What happens if amendment 64 passes

The measure legalized marijuana in the state. A similar measure was on the ballot in the state , where it was defeated. The initiative was filed eight different times with Colorado's Legislative Counsel around the date of May 20, , in hopes of making the ballot. All of the initiatives asked whether or not to legalize the use and possession of, at most, an ounce of marijuana for residents who were 21 and older.

In addition, all eight initiatives were designed to allow the state to regulate retail sales of the drug. The proposal was filed eight times, with some differences, in order for supporters to see which one would pass the Title Setting Review Board, and allow for circulation of petitions.

In April the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled to uphold the firing of a man who used medical marijuana while not at work. Brandon Coats, a quadriplegic who has a prescription for the drug in the state, contested his termination by claiming he was protected by the Colorado Lawful Off-Duty Activities Statute. The law prohibits employers from firing employees for engaging in legal activity outside of work; however, it is silent on the matter of federal versus state law.

The court refuted the claim by ruling that the statute does not extend to protecting individuals who violate federal law outside of work. Amendment 64 explicitly stated the intention of a state sales tax to be used to fund the regulation of the marijuana industry as well as education improvements throughout the state. This is the proposed execution of the tax funding regulation and education intended by Amendment Read about all the details of Proposition AA and the controversy surrounding it here.

Results via Colorado Secretary of State. The ballot language of the measure read as follows: [5]. The full text of the initiative is available here. Medical marijuana is legal in Colorado under the terms of a bill signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter , but some marijuana activists said that the time is right to expand the legality of marijuana to cover recreational use also. Editor's Note : The following studies do not reflect the views of the neutral Ballotpedia.

Studies are reported in this article as they are presented, and conflicting arguments may be made against certain studies. According to reports, Colorado was a key state in the presidential election, and the marijuana measure had potential for broad implications that November.

Reports said that President Barack Obama 's and Republican candidate Mitt Romney's stance regarding marijuana legalization, regulation and taxation like alcohol had the potential to influence voters in Colorado.

A lawsuit was filed on July 11, , against the proposed ballot measure, stating that the proposal did not make it clear that taxes would be raised. However, Brian Vicente of Sensible Colorado stated that the five-business days allowed to challenge the measure had already passed. A spokesman for the Colorado Secretary of State claimed that since the ballot measure language was revised, the legal challenge could move forward.

Proponents of the measure filed a lawsuit to delay the printing of 's ballot information booklet, also known as the blue book. According to reports, the booklet was sent to voters in the state to provide details on ballot measures that are on the general election ballot. The lawsuit argued that the legislative committee struck key language in the section describing arguments in support of the initiative from the final draft of the booklet.

They said it would shed light on the black-market marijuana industry and ultimately case dangerous cartels to wither. Critics argued that passing the amendment would make Colorado a destination for drug tourists and prompt a federal crackdown. They cited concerns about increased use of the drug by children and more drugged driving. Among the opponents was Gov. This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through.

Questions about regulation and enforcement still abound. The first recreational stores would be slated to open in January and would be separate from existing medical marijuana dispensaries.

Local governments could ban marijuana sales, and employers could still bar employees from using the drug. More importantly, voters are more informed about marijuana than ever before.

They have also experienced the emergence of a state-regulated medical marijuana system that has not produced any serious problems, but has provided a number of benefits. We now know that marijuana cultivation and sales can be regulated, and that medical marijuana businesses do not contribute to increased crime.

We have also seen marijuana use among high school students decrease since the state began implementing regulations, whereas it has increased nationwide where there are no regulations. And, of course, localities and the state have seen how much revenue can be generated through the legal sale of marijuana that would have otherwise gone into the underground market. Voters in Colorado no longer need to imagine what a legal and regulated system of marijuana sales would look like; they have seen it.

It's also worth noting that is a presidential election year, so we will benefit from increased voter turnout compared to an off-year election like Historically, the more people who vote, the more support marijuana reform initiatives receive. On the same night that Colorado passed Amendment 64, Washington state passed Initiative which regulates and taxes sales of small amounts of marijuana for adults, The Associated Press reports.

Oregon also had a similar recreational marijuana measure on the ballot, but as of publishing and with 47 percent of precincts reporting, it looked as if it would not pass. Under Amendment 64, marijuana is taxed and regulated similar to alcohol and tobacco. It gives state and local governments the ability to control and tax the sale of small amounts of marijuana to adults age 21 and older.

We will create new jobs, generation million of dollars in tax revenue, and allow law enforcement to focus on serious crimes. It would certainly be a travesty if the Obama administration used its power to impose marijuana prohibition upon a state whose people have declared, through the democratic process, that they want it to end. The big unknown still is if the federal government will allow a regulated marijuana market to take shape.

Attorney General Eric Holder, who was a vocal opponent of California's legalization initiative in saying he would "vigorously enforce" federal marijuana prohibition, has continued to remain silent on the issue this year.

In September, Holder was urged by nine former heads of the U.