After months of silence on marijuana legalization, Colorado's governor says he opposes making pot legal for recreational use.

Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper said in a prepared statement Wednesday afternoon that making marijuana legal would send the wrong message about drug use. Colorado is one of three states considering ballot measures this fall to legalize pot in defiance of federal drug law.

Hickenlooper has previously avoided taking a position on the marijuana proposal. The measure would allow adults over 21 to possess and grow small amounts of marijuana.

Colorado is currently one of 17 states that allow marijuana use by people with certain medical conditions.