On November 6, Colorado became one of the first states to legalize the use of recreational marijuana. The passing of Amendment 64 looks to be just the beginning of what may be a long political process. So, how does Amendment 64 affect you?
What Amendment 64 Does Do:
- People over the age of 21 will be allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and/or up to six marijuana plants (the same allowed for medical marijuana). It will also allow individuals to give small amounts of marijuana away.
- The cultivation and sale will be managed (in theory) by the Department of Revenue, which could impose a 15% sales tax—the first $40 million of which would be used to help build public schools. Local sales tax will also apply.
What Amendment 64 Doesn’t Do:
- It doesn’t change driving laws. You still can’t drive under the influence of marijuana.
- It doesn’t change employment policies. An employer can still require that you do not smoke marijuana (e.g., FRCC pharmacy technician students would not be exempt from passing a drug test).
- It doesn’t change local law. Any locality can still ban the sale of marijuana.
- It doesn’t change the FRCC student code of conduct. You still can’t smoke pot on campus, or in any public setting (including Front Range and the parking lot). You still can’t come to class or campus functions under the influence of marijuana. In short, it will be under many of the same regulations as alcohol.
- It doesn’t mean you can smoke anything any time. Amendment 64 legalizes the distribution and use of marijuana; it is not a blanket statement that allows any possession or distribution of marijuana. It is expected that it won’t be legally available from a retail site until late 2013 or early 2014.
- It doesn’t change how marijuana affects your brain. Although there is conflicting research about the addictive power and harm of marijuana, marijuana use still affects your brain development, ability to use sound judgment, and motivation.
You can read the full text of the amendment.
Want to talk about marijuana? We’ll be hosting an open forum at 12 p.m. on January 23 at the Westminster Campus. For more info, email Beau.Johnson@frontrange.edu.
