Endorsement war wages on for Amendment 64

An endorsement war has been going on across the state for and against Amendment 64.

Election Day is less than a month away and if the ballot measure passes it would end marijuana prohibition in the state.

Colorado’s Campaign to Regulate Marijuana, has added more than 300 Colorado physicians to its list of supporters.

In Dr. Larry Bedard's 25-plus years as an emergency physician, he says he's seen virtually no injuries, accidents, or deaths associated with marijuana.

"The majority of physicians support the legalization of marijuana," Bedard said.

He joins hundreds of doctors from across Colorado, including several here on the Western Slope, advocating for Amendment 64 to be passed by voters.

"Regulate it, tax it, and you're going to control it," Bedard said.

Mesa County Sheriff Stan Hilkey sees it quite differently.

He says it’s important to look at who's endorsing it.

"I think from the perspective of a doctor you don't get the opportunity to see it from a public policy perspective. A doctor deals with a patient. It’s an individual relationship between a doctor and a patient,” Hilkey said. “When I speak about this I’m talking from a very large public policy aspect of somebody who is responsible for community safety."    

Hilkey's stance mirrors several members of law enforcement in the state.

Just last month, however, a group of former law enforcement personnel came out in favor of the proposed policy.

Still Hilkey thinks the cons outweigh the pros.

Voters in Colorado, Oregon and Washington State will all be considering whether or not to legalize marijuana for recreational use this November.

It’s the second time legislation has been brought to voters of Colorado about legalization.