The origins of
420

From Colorado U...1969 Colorado State Legislature Archives Proposition 420

 In the late 60's, a new rallying cry was needed for the new societal sect of the pot smoker. 
Such standards as 'Lets burn one', 'MaryJane wants to talk to you' and 'Time for desert' were well known and well used. A new standard was forthcoming from the Colorado State Legislature when Proposition 420 was introduced onto the floor in the summer session of 1968.
Soon, signs like "Yes to 420", "420 Pass It On"  and "Its time for 420" were showing up not only in Colorado, but across the country. On April 20th, at 4:20, a large rally in support of Proposition 420 was disrupted when officers in attendance began making arrests for possession of marijuana. Over a hundred were arrested and detained. No data can be found on how many appeared later or the outcomes of the cases.
By the end of 1969, when the Colorado State Legislature voted down Proposition 420, 420 had become a national rallying cry, and a national rallying time! 420 has become more than a legendary loss to the pro-marijuana movement, it has become a legendary icon.

PROPOSITION 420
REQUIREMENTS

--SHALL THERE BE AN AMENDMENT TO THE COLORADO STATE CONSTITUTION FORBIDDING THE COLORADO STATE GOVERNMENT AND ALL COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES AND ITS POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FROM ENFORCING ANY FEDERAL LAWS AND GUIDELINES REGARDING THE PROHIBITION OF THE PLANT CANNABIS HEMP. FURTHERMORE, SHALL ANY LAWS CURRENTLY ON THE STATE OF COLORADO BOOKS WITH REGARDS TO CANNABIS PROHIBITION OR REGULATION BE IDENTIFIED AND REMOVED FROM THE RECORD.

PROPOSITION 420, if approved, would install a 3 PERMIT CLASS SYSTEM for regulation of the cannabis/hemp industry, to be presided over by an appointed non-partisan board of citizens from both private and public interests. The purpose of this “Cannabis Industry Board” (CIB) is to identify and install a 3 permit system for the sale and taxation of cannabis products. The 3 permit system will follow these permit guidelines, with the permits being issued for set fees by the CIB board or its designated regulatory agency.

PERMIT CLASS 1
COMMERCIAL SELLER/ON-SITE USAGE PERMIT
Grants commercial selling rights to coffee shops, bars, restaurants, night clubs, dance clubs, hotels, and bed & breakfasts, etc…A Class One permit grants the establishment the ability to stock and sell cannabis for SALE and CONSUMPTION on their premises.




PERMIT CLASS 2
COMMERCIAL SELLER PERMIT
Grants sale of actual potent Cannabis (higher than 4.2% THC content) rights, including the sale of smoking paraphernalia, seeds, and growing accessories. The Class 2 store can sell any amount of cannabis and accessories but the purchaser cannot smoke or ingest the marijuana on the premises.


PERMIT CLASS 3
COMMERCIAL GROWERS PERMIT
Grants cannabis growing permission to the bearer for Cannabis grown for the purpose of selling elsewhere. This permit will be for people who want to make a living, or have a second income, by growing cannabis in their home or on land they own, etc... The grower then must sell the cannabis locally to a registered Class 2 or Class 1 permit holder at a specifically designated tax rate.


IN ADDITION TO STRIKING CANNABIS PROHIBITION WORDING FROM THE BOOKS, AND ESTABLISHING THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY BOARD AND 3-PERMIT ISSUANCE SYSTEM, INITIATIVE 420 MUST ALSO HAVE THE FOLLOWING WRITTEN INTO IT.

- Establishes the age limit for purchase of high potency (4.2% T.H.C. content and higher) cannabis to 18 years of age.

- Establishes a special concession granting the clear legal ability for any individuals to grow cannabis for private use and to distribute to friends and family at no cost or exchange of goods or services, without purchasing a class 3 permit.

- GRANTS IMMEDIATE RELEASE to all non-violent cannabis crime prisoners in Colorado state prisons, including all cannabis prisoners in halfway houses, ankle bracelets, in prison or on parole. For cases in which other crimes have been committed in addition to cannabis crimes, each case will be individually reviewed by the district attorney or a non-partisan group appointed by the CIB.

- Establishes a special exception for growers of Hemp that eliminates all fees for growing or selling hemp on an industrial basis. Hemp to be defined as cannabis grown for industrial purposes other than smoking or ingesting, or cannabis with T.H.C. at less than 4.2%.

- Forces the Cannabis Industry Board to establish zoning and hours restrictions for Class 1 and 2 permit business. Stores cannot be too close to schools, etc… Set up similar to liquor store zoning restrictions, but the zoning restrictions cannot exceed the restrictions currently on place for liquor licenses.

- Establishes that the commercial sale of the plant form cannabis (with higher than 4.2% THC content) that is for the purpose of smoking or ingesting be taxed at a rate similar to the current alcohol/tobacco tax setup, to be determined finally by the CIB upon passage of the initiative. Taxes on all other hemp products and foods will not be taxed at the additional tax setup, they are to be taxed as normal commercial products. Taxes on the sale of high potency cannabis for the purpose of smoking or ingesting, as well as the money made from the sale of the 3 different classes of permits, will be divided as follows:
50% to Colorado Public Schools Education System General Fund.
30% to the formation and maintenance of addiction treatment centers throughout Colorado. These centers will offer free or greatly discounted addiction treatment services to any Colorado citizen with a wide variety of methods to be employed and tested. Any addict to any substance can get treatment, provided they have an actual physical address in Colorado.
20% to the creation of a Senior’s Prescription Assistance Program (SPAP) for Colorado citizens over 55 to be able to get greatly discounted or free medication. Not just for low income patients, this program will benefit everyone who needs prescription medication.