Supporters of a pro-marijuana initiative Wednesday called Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper a hypocrite for opposing their efforts.
During a rally outside the City and County Building, they unveiled a banner that read: “What is the difference between Mayor Hickenlooper and a marijuana dealer? The mayor has made his fortune selling a more harmful drug: alcohol.”
Although he has not actively campaigned against Initiative 100, Hickenlooper has said he opposes the measure on the Nov. 1 ballot that would make it legal for adults over 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana in the city. Hickenlooper said he views marijuana as a gateway drug that could prompt more drug use.
His spokeswoman called the rally a publicity stunt.
“Mayor Hickenlooper is too busy focused on issues that actually matter to Denver to spend time debating a legally irrelevant initiative that – due to existing state law – will change nothing in Denver,” said his spokeswoman, Lindy Eichenbaum Lent.
Even if the measure passes, police say they will enforce a state marijuana-possession law.
The mayor’s office, though, didn’t want any hard feelings. The protest prompted Cole Finegan, Hickenlooper’s acting chief of staff, to contemplate whether he should orchestrate a shipment of Oreos and Doritos to the 20 pro-marijuana backers who attended the rally.
Staff writer Christopher N. Osher can be reached at 303-820-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com.
