cannabisnews.com: MJ Foes and Supporters Worked for Smooth Launch
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MJ Foes and Supporters Worked for Smooth Launch
Posted by CN Staff on January 03, 2014 at 12:45:53 PT
By Christopher N. Osher, The Denver Post
Source: Denver Post
Colorado -- Some public officials predicted unruly customers would fight over scarce supplies when recreational marijuana went live in Colorado. Others feared images of public toking would be beamed around the world. Instead, a peaceful, respectful and mellow crowd greeted the advent of recreational marijuana sales on New Year's Day.Marijuana industry representatives and public officials credited the smooth launch to months of planning and cooperation. Former foes agreed along the way to work together to settle such nettlesome issues as whether armed security would be permitted.
"We all realized at some point that our priorities are pretty much the same," said Mike Elliott, executive director of the Marijuana Industry Group, which considers itself the chamber of commerce for recreational marijuana. "We all want to keep businesses safe and secure and keep the customers safe."Public officials and pot supporters created fliers. Police and recreational marijuana shop owners agreed to increase police patrols. Industry advocates encouraged the hiring of security guards at recreational stores.Denver elected officials, worried about long lines and a lack of supply, worked behind the scenes to double the number of licenses issued in the city for recreational marijuana sales."We were trying to come up with a game plan for every possible scenario," Elliott said.Guns and MarijuanaIn the past, no armed security guards worked at medical marijuana businesses, in part because store owners feared federal officials didn't want guns mixing with marijuana, Elliott said.Jack Finlaw, chief legal counsel to Gov. John Hickenlooper, checked with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Colorado and was told armed security would be OK. Many recreational marijuana shops then hired security firms and employed former Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans to keep a watchful eye on opening day.SnippedComplete Article: http://drugsense.org/url/9rNgqKV0Source: Denver Post (CO)Author: Christopher N. Osher, The Denver PostPublished: January 3, 2014Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Website: http://www.denverpost.com/Contact: openforum denverpost.comCannabisNews  -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on January 03, 2014 at 15:19:21 PT
Denver Post
There's a video with this article. Cool to see that smile on so many faces... not the one that was illegal... just that same smile I've had for days now, myself. Just a smile of pure joy that it was finally done, people are safer, and there is some more liberty, freedom and rights restored. I did, in the video, see a sign that said "Pre-rolled Joints... $10.00 each". Ouch! That's steep.... but I guess if you can afford that and want it... there ya go. It's sweet. Sweet indeed. It's wonderful. A weekend in Colorado sounds better than ever!
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Comment #1 posted by Hope on January 03, 2014 at 14:55:14 PT
 "A peaceful, respectful and mellow crowd"
"Some public officials predicted unruly customers would fight over scarce supplies when recreational marijuana went live in Colorado." "Fight"? Good grief. That sounds wrong for sure. Cannabis enthusiasts don't usually "fight" among each other over "Supplies", scarce or not, as it is, so I can't imagine why they would in a legal scenario. That's laughable. Rather idiotic... but laughable for that very reason.And apparently, and I'm very thankful, the feds didn't send any professional trouble makers disguised as cannabis buyers to start trouble. Nor did the prohibitionists. I feel sure that some of them wanted to, though.I was concerned that with what I thought might be such long lines and such a long wait someone might get in trouble with nit picking police. But Obviously, that didn't happen. I'm so glad. But, of course, there is no reason to expect cannabis users to be trouble makers.
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