I am a pretty conservative guy, probably due in part to the fact that I was a police officer for 47 years, with the last 25 years being spent as the chief of police for the Westminster Police Department. I’ve been around, and I certainly paid my dues as a young cop working narcotics and vice, and as an older cop, sitting on the governing boards of the North Metro Drug Task Force and the West Metro Drug Task Force. I vigorously enforced marijuana laws for all 47 years of my public service, and I would do it today if I was still actively employed as a cop.
Constitutional Amendment 64 proposes the legalization of growing and possessing marijuana, but it would not impact those who have the legal and appropriate authorization to grow and use marijuana for medicinal purposes. Moreover, even if the voters approve Amendment 64, which I sincerely hope they do not, marijuana growing and possession would still be a federal offense. In addition to still being a federal offense, legalization of pot would result in more traffic accidents and fatalities, as well as an increase in crime. Talk to most police officers and they will confirm this observation. Take it to the bank.
We do not need more stoned drivers on the road, and we do not need more crime. And we certainly do not need a law that would be in direct conflict with the federal law. What’s next — home-brew methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, PCP or heroin? Where do we draw the line? In my opinion, we need to draw the line right now and vote no on Amendment 64. As Archie Bunker used to say, “This is pure crapola.”
Dan Montgomery
Westminster
Westminster Chief of Police (Retired)