Regents oppose marijuana legalization ballot measure

The University of Colorado Board of Regents on Wednesday passed a resolution opposing Amendment 64, a measure on the November state ballot that would legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for people 21 and older. The proposal would tax and regulate marijuana much like alcohol. Five regents voted in favor of the resolution, with Regents Stephen Ludwig, Irene Griego and Chair Michael Carrigan abstaining. Regent Joe Neguse did not attend the meeting.

Regent Kyle Hybl sponsored the resolution. He said if Colorado voters pass it in November, the measure could discourage out-of-state parents from sending their children to Colorado, and might encourage in-state parents to choose to send their children elsewhere.

Ludwig made a motion to table the resolution indefinitely, saying the board had not had enough time to understand the measure’s potential impact. “Normally, when we are asked to look at a resolution that may or may not impact the university . . . . we’re deliberative, we think it through, we’re presented  with the facts,” he said. “In this case we haven’t looked at the pros and cons, the fiscal impact, any positives and negatives, all those things. We’re being asked to vote on our personal opinions rather than more deliberative method we ‘ve voted in the past.”

Regent Tilman “Tillie” Bishop said the resolution was a matter of doing what’s right. “This issue is not a new issue. This is an issue that, by not taking some kind of action, it is endorsing that’ it’s ok. Here, we stress to parents and students that we oppose the amendment because it’s against the state law and federal law.”

Regent James Geddes also opposed the motion to table the resolution, “I don’t need to know what other people think about this. We need to do the right thing. In this case the right thing is to oppose Amendment 64.”

Griego seconded Ludwig’s motion, but it failed 5-2, with Ludwig and Griego dissenting.