SAFER

About me:

SAFER envisions a society in which adults can use marijuana responsibly without fear of legal penalties or other punishment. Thus, SAFER's mission is to educate the public about the harms of alcohol compared to the much safer, yet illegal substance: marijuana.

Moving Forward in Colorado

Denver voters approved Initiated Question 100 in Nov. 2007, making private adult possession of small amounts of marijuana the city's lowest law enforcement priority.

The measure also established the Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel, which is charged with implementing the law to the greatest extent possible. The panel has only met twice, but it has already proposed a major policy recommendation that will be up for a vote at its next meeting May 28th.

The proposed recommendation directs the Denver CIty Attorney's Office to stop prosecuting cases of simple adult possession unless ther is a compelling resaon to do so. The recommendation comes on the heels of news that Denver prosecutors and police have completely defied the will of the voters and taken no action to change the way they handle adult marijuana use.

In August, just as the Democratic National Convention is arriving in town, Denver officials will have to report the numbers of arrests and prosecutions so far in 2008. It is hoped the press will take notice and foster discussion of the marijuana issue in light of Denver being at its forefront!

SAFER Campuses Initiative

SAFER got its start organizing on college campuses and speaking out against university policies that punish students more for marijuana use than for alcohol use.

Since then, the organization has worked with students at schools around the country -- including several NORML and SSDP chapters -- to introduce and campaign for SAFER referendums and resolutions that demonstrate the students' opinion that universities' penalties for marijuana use should be no greater than their penalties for alcohol use.

SAFER referenda campaigns are currently underway at: