Yes on 64 Campaign Calls on Colorado Law Enforcement Officials to Focus on Serious Crimes

DENVER, CO – In response to opposition from some members of law enforcement, the Campaign to Regulate is calling on Colorado law enforcement officials to focus their time and resources on serious crimes, such as domestic violence, sexual assaults, and shootings.

Last month, the National Latino Officers Association and Blacks in Law Enforcement of American endorsed Amendment 64. A group of former Colorado police officers, prosecutors, and judges also released a letter expressing support for the initiative, citing the waste of time and resources they witnessed during their time in law enforcement.

According to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, passage of Amendment 64 would produce approximately $12 million annually in instant criminal justice savings each year, which could rise to $40 million in annual savings.

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“It is unfortunate that these law enforcement officials are taking a position that actually serves the interests of criminals,” said Lauren Davis, a former senior deputy disctrict attorney in Denver. “The goal of Amendment 64 is to eliminate the underground market by having marijuana sales conducted by taxed and regulated Colorado businesses. By opposing this measure, these law enforcement officials are fighting to keep marijuana sales in the hands of gangs and cartels.

“Polling consistently shows that the people of Colorado want law enforcement to focus on serious crimes, not marijuana possession arrests. It is time for law enforcement leaders to stop trying to scare the voters of Colorado into maintaining marijuana prohibition. Instead, they should start listening to the people they have taken an oath to protect.”

Tags: Amendment 64