The pro-cannabis group NORML has formed a new Denver chapter that says it plans to work to revive a social cannabis use ballot measure that was dropped last summer.
Activists had worked last summer to pass a ballot measure that would have allowed the use of cannabis at bars and other public businesses, but they gave up on the plan in September. The Marijuana Policy Project has been working with the law firm Vicente Sederberg to convince city officials to compromise on some sort of social use bill, but said they might refile a ballot measure if that fails.
NORML’s Denver chapter is now saying they want to move forward with the ballot measure idea. According to the Cannabist, executive director Jordan Person said:
“We greatly appreciate the previous attempt to bring this issue to Denver voters, but we want to get this done. The need is obvious as residents and visitors continue to have no legal place other than private homes to enjoy a legal product with like-minded adults.”
The chapter has not yet made it clear whether a new ballot measure would take the same tack as last summer or seek a narrow proposal that would focus on allowing cannabis use in designated clubs only.
Mason Tyvert, of the Marijuana Policy Project, said in an email that he could envision the two groups working together on a proposal:
“We hope to reach consensus (with city officials) about a sensible path forward in the coming months, and at the same time we are also beginning to plan for a 2016 initiative should it be needed. We want to work with everyone we can to bring about the best possible law for Denver, so we hope to speak with the Denver NORML folks soon.”