Colorado pastors urge voters not to legalize pot for recreational use
In this Oct. 2, 2012 photo, former Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo speaks out in favor supporting Amendment 64 to legalize marijuana in Colorado during a news conference at the Capitol in Denver. Joe Megyesy coordinator for the campaign to regulate marijuana like alcohol listens at left. Appealing to Western individualism and a mistrust of federal government, activists have lined up some prominent conservatives as natural allies to make pot legal, from one-time presidential hopefuls Tom Tancredo and Ron Paul to Libertarian presidential candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.
Ed Andrieski, Associated Press
DENVER — The stakes in Colorado's marijuana debate are getting much higher — as in, all the way to heaven.
A vigorous back-and-forth between pot legalization supporters and foes entered the religious arena Wednesday. A slate of pastors called on Coloradans to reject making pot legal without a doctor's recommendation.
"It's heading to a path of total destruction," warned Bishop Acen Phillips, who leads New Birth Temple of Praise Community Baptist Church in Denver.
About 10 pastors spoke at the event organized by the campaign to defeat the Colorado ballot proposal. If approved, the measure would allow adults over 21 to possess small amounts of marijuana for recreational use.
Colorado's legalization supporters responded quickly, releasing a list of clergy members who support legalizing the drug and ending criminal penalties for its use. Those ministers argued that religious leaders and parents should guide decisions about marijuana, not the law.
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The most destructive force on earth is alcohol. Why is this legal?
Colorado voters should follow the happenings in CA and its efforts to undo this pro marijuana possession laws. They have found the law is too liberal and uncontrollable. Pot heads are becoming to much of a nuisance and safety risk to the general More..
Not supporting legalized MJ but on the bright side - enough pot heads might vote for third party pro marijuana candidate Gary Johnson - that it will insure Mitt Romeny will win Colorado and the presidencey