Post by BH on Jan 20, 2006 20:30:16 GMT -5
Jan. 2006 - A pro-pot group alleges that an Aurora police officer pulled over one of its members this week because he had a marijuana legalization sticker on the back of his vehicle.
Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER - which persuaded Denver voters to legalize adult possession of a small amount of marijuana - alleges the officer told Paul Wansing he was "offended" by the sticker and cited the 25- year-old chef for having a cracked windshield and an air freshener dangling from his rearview mirror.
The officer, who wasn't identified, allegedly told Wansing that he wouldn't have been cited if he didn't have the sticker on his vehicle and that he didn't want his children to see such "trash."
SAFER is planning a rally outside Aurora police headquarters today.
"This is just another case of law enforcement trying to intimidate someone for their political views," said Mason Tvert, who headed up the campaign for the Denver measure.
Aurora police Sgt. Rudy Herrera said the department would look into Wansing's allegations, and officers eventually would like to interview him.
Wansing couldn't be reached for comment on Thursday.
"There is little doubt this same individual would not have been pulled over if his car was displaying a Coors Light logo," Tvert said.
SAFER was able to get 54 percent of Denver voters to back the initiative on the November ballot that makes it legal for adults to possess up to 1 ounce of pot.
Denver officers, however, fall back on state law to continue ticketing people possessing small amounts of marijuana, prompting SAFER to pursue a statewide initiative.
The group needs to collect nearly 68,000 signatures from registered voters by August to get a statewide initiative on next November's ballot.
Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, or SAFER - which persuaded Denver voters to legalize adult possession of a small amount of marijuana - alleges the officer told Paul Wansing he was "offended" by the sticker and cited the 25- year-old chef for having a cracked windshield and an air freshener dangling from his rearview mirror.
The officer, who wasn't identified, allegedly told Wansing that he wouldn't have been cited if he didn't have the sticker on his vehicle and that he didn't want his children to see such "trash."
SAFER is planning a rally outside Aurora police headquarters today.
"This is just another case of law enforcement trying to intimidate someone for their political views," said Mason Tvert, who headed up the campaign for the Denver measure.
Aurora police Sgt. Rudy Herrera said the department would look into Wansing's allegations, and officers eventually would like to interview him.
Wansing couldn't be reached for comment on Thursday.
"There is little doubt this same individual would not have been pulled over if his car was displaying a Coors Light logo," Tvert said.
SAFER was able to get 54 percent of Denver voters to back the initiative on the November ballot that makes it legal for adults to possess up to 1 ounce of pot.
Denver officers, however, fall back on state law to continue ticketing people possessing small amounts of marijuana, prompting SAFER to pursue a statewide initiative.
The group needs to collect nearly 68,000 signatures from registered voters by August to get a statewide initiative on next November's ballot.