Conservative activist: Pot needs lobbyists
Corry urges advocates to participate in politics
By Ryan Morgan (Contact)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
dailycamera.com
CORRECTION 4/19/09: This story incorrectly reported the location of today’s 4/20 marijuana smoke-out at the University of Colorado. Organizers are planning to congregate on CU’s Norlin Quadrangle.
A self-described conservative "soccer mom" told marijuana legalization advocates that they'll need to do more than smoke pot in public to get drug laws changed during a speech on the University of Colorado campus Saturday.
Jessica Corry, the executive director of the Colorado Civil Rights initiative, said 4/20 "smoke-out" events like the one planned for Farrand Field on Monday are a good way to bring attention to the issue.
But she said people fighting marijuana prohibition also need to participate in the political process -- and, she said, advocates need to show lawmakers a sober, serious side as well.
"They're laughing at us," she said. "The 4/20 events are fine... but let's also get people down to the Capitol in suits."
Corry's speech kicked off a two-day "National Forum on Marijuana," hosted by the CU-Boulder chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
The forum, which continues today with panel discussions on campus, precedes the annual 4/20 pot-smoking extravaganza on CU's Farrand Field, which organizers say will take place on Monday. CU administrators have urged students not to attend the event.
In the past, police and administrators have doused smokers with sprinklers and posted incriminating photos of them online enjoying the illegal substance.
Corry pointed out that the last time marijuana decriminalization was on the statewide ballot, in 2006, it received a higher share of the vote -- 41 percent -- than did the Republican gubernatorial candidate, Bob Beauprez.
"Just because close to 6 out of 10 people voted against the initiative, it doesn't mean all six of those people are against us," she said. "It means we haven't gone out there and done our jobs. We need to lawyer up. We need to put suits on and start playing with the big boys down at the Capitol."
She also told the crowd -- most of whom, she said, were almost certainly to her left politically -- to put pressure on Democratic politicians.
"For all of you Democrats in the room, you need to hold President Obama accountable," she said.
Corry's speech included questions and debate with the audience, which consisted of about 50 people of all ages who braved the rain Saturday night to make their way to a CU lecture hall.
Mitch Shenassa was one of those who peppered Corry with questions and asked for debating advice. After the event, he said he agreed with her diagnosis. For too long, he said, legalization advocates haven't been taken seriously.
"We've been marginalized, as a group, by this sort of stereotypical, illegitimate role that's given to us as the lazy stoner," he said. "By donning that role, and just standing out on the field and smoking joints, we play right into that. We do need to start playing their game."
Contact Camera Staff Writer Ryan Morgan at 303-473-1333 or morganr@dailycamera.com. |
