Colorado Springs Recreational Cannabis Initiative Qualifies for November Vote

Activists intent on legalizing the sale of recreational cannabis in Colorado Springs, Colorado, cleared a significant hurdle this week by announcing that two related cannabis sales initiatives have qualified for the November vote to have.

The first ballot measure proposed by the group Your Choice Colorado Springs would legalize the sale of recreational cannabis in Colorado Springs, while the second would impose a 5% tax on adult cannabis purchases. If approved by voters, tax revenues from recreational sales would fund public safety improvements, expand mental health services and support PTSD programs for veterans.

“Voters across the city have stood up and demanded that their voices be heard when it comes to ending Colorado Springs’ ban on recreational cannabis sales,” Your Choice campaign manager Anthony Carlson said Monday , after announcing that the measures qualified for the vote. “Especially during these trying economic times, it’s critical to ensure that every tax dollar that rightfully belongs to Colorado Springs taxpayers stays in our community and works to improve the quality of our lives.”

Colorado voters legalized the sale of recreational cannabis with the passage of Amendment 64 in 2012, and regulated sales began in the state two years later. However, the Colorado Springs local government banned the sale of recreational cannabis in 2013, even though the city is home to more than 100 medical dispensaries.

Your Choice Colorado Springs announced its plan for the ballot measure to legalize the sale of recreational cannabis in January and began spreading petitions in March to qualify the ballot measure. Activists had to collect 19,245 signatures from Colorado Springs residents by June 20. The group far exceeded the requirement, submitting more than 98,000 signatures in the past month.

Pot taxes go to other cities

Your Choice Colorado Springs claims that city dwellers who legally purchase adult-use cannabis must travel to other communities that reap the tax benefits of recreational cannabis sales. If the initiatives succeed in November’s elections, a portion of the tax revenue will help fund mental health services and support PTSD programs for military veterans. Colorado Springs has one of the highest veteran populations in the state, with 17% of adult residents identifying as veterans, compared to the national average of 7.1%, according to a recent report by The Center Square.

“Our area was the nation’s leader in suicides last year,” Carlson said, noting that 30% of those who took their own lives were veterans. “This initiative will provide significant funding to ensure we finally have the resources to get a grip on this crisis.”

No additional retail cannabis stores would be allowed in the city as part of the legalization initiative, but existing medical cannabis retailers would be able to offer recreational cannabis on the same premises as their medical location. Karlie Van Arnam, a small business owner and key voter who sponsors the initiatives, said the campaign is “about practicality”.

“There is no point in continuing to ban a product that is 100% legal to own and consume in our city,” Arnam said. “This campaign isn’t just about revenue. It is about personal freedom and choices for our residents. It’s about supporting our small businesses and the thousands of people who employ them. It’s about expanding access to mental health for citizens and ensuring our veterans have access to world-class PTSD programs here in Colorado Springs. It is time that this decision was taken out of the hands of some politicians and handed over to the people.”

Colorado Springs Mayor Opposes Legalization

Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, who has opposed the sale of recreational cannabis in the city for years, issued a statement warning voters about potentially negative aspects of legalization.

“I remain vehemently opposed to the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs. There are no regulations in Colorado to limit THC levels, which continue to rise and adversely affect young marijuana users,” Suthers said. “In recreational marijuana cities, it doesn’t pay the full cost of the damage it does. Denver, in particular, offers a cautionary tale. In three years, it has fallen from #2 to #55 in US News & World Report’s rankings for the best city to live in. The ubiquitous influence of marijuana is a major factor.”

Carlson said voters are likely to approve the voting measure in November’s general election, despite opposition from city leaders.

“Colorado Springs residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of Amendment 64 in 2012. Our city council and mayor have repeatedly defied the will of Colorado Springs voters by squashing recreational cannabis — and its tax revenues — for the past decade stayed away from Colorado Springs with a loss of $150 million,” Carlson said in an email to High Times. “Now our citizens have spoken again and submitted a record 98,000 signatures – more than 2.5 times more than required – to get these measures on the ballot. The will of the people of Colorado Springs is crystal clear: They want to keep Colorado Springs recreational cannabis tax revenues to support efforts like mental health and veterans services.”