Mason Tvert

Amendment 64 sales tax proposal at 10 percent, but Smart Colorado wants it higher

Update: Yesterday, we shared a draft proposal that would repeal Amendment 64, which allows adults 21 and over in Colorado to use and possess small amounts of marijuana, if voters don't approve a 15 percent sales tax during a November election. Also included was an opinion by attorney Ed Ramey that s ... More >>

Marijuana: Mason Tvert says limiting pot sales to Colorado residents would be unconstitutional

Should marijuana pot shops in the state be limited to Colorado residents? This was one controversial debate to emerge this month as the governor's task force began its work dedicated to implementing Amendment 64. But Mason Tvert, one of the law's proponents, says there shouldn't be a debate at all, ... More >>

Marijuana rescheduling not Amendment 64 "silver bullet," says Mason Tvert

Last week, a number of mainstream media outlets suggested that rescheduling marijuana might bridge the gap between conflicting state and federal laws following the passage of Amendment 64 -- this despite the fact that the federal government took nine months to shrug off Colorado's rescheduling sugge ... More >>

Marijuana: Mason Tvert thinks Amendment 64 boosted national poll favoring legalization

Earlier today, Sam Levin posted about business organizations calling for a federal crackdown on Colorado to prevent the implementation of Amendment 64, passed by voters last month. Meanwhile, though, 58 percent of voters quizzed nationwide favor legalizing marijuana according to a new poll -- and ac ... More >>

Marijuana: Amendment 64's Mason Tvert on Bill Maher's invite, advocate advice

During a recent appearance on his HBO discussion show, Bill Maher asked Mason Tvert, one of the primary proponents behind Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, to relocate in California and push through a similar measure there -- and Tvert lightheartedly said he would; see the video ... More >>

Video: Marijuana Amendment 64's Mason Tvert should help pass act in Cali, says Bill Maher

If you had any doubt that the passage of Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, would turn proponent Mason Tvert into a national figure, look no further than this weekend's episode of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. Maher, a vocal supporter of marijuana policy reform, devoted seven ... More >>

Amendment 64 pushes need for pot banks: Could tribal nations be the solution?

While Governor John Hickenlooper had a conference call with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to talk about the federal response to the passage Amendment 64, and Mason Tvert, the architect of that victory, was chatting with Bill Maher, hundreds of people gathered in Denver for the National Marijuana ... More >>

Marijuana: Amendment 64 opponents' response to charges of lying? A box of Kleenex

In this space yesterday, Mason Tvert, a proponent for Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, accused the leading No on 64 group of lying and intimidation in fighting against the measure. In response, the opponents' campaign director sent Tvert a note essentially accusing him of bein ... More >>

Marijuana: Amendment 64 opponents lying, intimidating supporters, says Mason Tvert

For months, there's been tension aplenty between supporters and opponents of Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act -- and with the election a week away, it's still rising. Example: The No on 64 campaign says claims by backers don't hold up under scrutiny, prompting proponent Mason Tv ... More >>

Marijuana: Amendment 64's lead in poll won't lead to complacency, campaign says

A new poll shows Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, with majority support among likely voters -- the first time that's happened in the campaign. Opponents of the measure are responding by blasting the initiative from every angle, while a proponent stresses that no vote will be ta ... More >>

Marijuana: Amendment 64 backers lose Blue Book fight, rip government deception

Update: The backers of Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, have lost their court fight to restore arguments in favor of the initiative that were stripped from the Blue Book voters guide during a hearing last week. Proponent Brian Vicente admits to frustration over this ruling and ... More >>

Photo: Pro-marijuana billboard erected near Mile High stadium, liquor store

The woman seen here looks like a highly polished business owner, perhaps, or maybe a suburban soccer mom. But as portrayed on a billboard being formally unveiled today at a high-profile location near the Denver Broncos' home, Sports Authority Field at Mile High (see it below), she's also a fan of g ... More >>

Marijuana: Majority of Denver Republican Assembly supports Amendment 64

In the past, Democrats were more likely to support regulating marijuana for recreational use, while Republicans felt otherwise. But growing evidence suggests this may no longer be the case. Take the Denver County Republican Assembly, a majority of whom appear to support Amendment 64, the Regulate Ma ... More >>

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act: Mason Tvert on campaign's allies, challenges

Update: Now that the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act has been approved for the November ballot (get more details below), proponent Mason Tvert is busily lining up allies for what should be among the season's most interesting campaigns -- and at a 2 p.m. news conference, he'll be introducing thre ... More >>

Regulate Marijuana backers plan to submit 12,000 signatures to cure petition

Mason Tvert.​Supporters of the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act need 86,105 valid voter signatures on petitions to qualify for the November ballot. But while they submitted over 160,000 signatures in January, the Secretary of State's Office nixed so many that backers fell 2,407 signatures s ... More >>

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act falls 2,400 signatures shy of ballot

Earlier this week, Brian Vicente, one of the primary proponents of the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, told us that news about whether the measure qualified for the November ballot could come as early as Friday. This prediction proved accurate, but the word isn't one Vicente and fellow backer M ... More >>

Operation Sweet Leaf raids boost marijuana regulation, says Mason Tvert

Mason Tvert.​To pot prohibition supporters, Operation Sweet Leaf, a raid on 25 reputed cannabis grows, paints the picture of growing criminality that begs for a police crackdown. But Mason Tvert, one of the main proponents of the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, which recently submitted ab ... More >>

Reader: Drunk drivers are more lethal than stoned ones

In our post about a University of Colorado Denver study that found traffic fatalities declined in medical marijuana states, weed advocate Mason Tvert argued that pot smokers drive more cautiously than do those who use alcohol and get behind the wheel. This statement spurred a lively conversation exe ... More >>

Med. marijuana laws = 9 percent traffic-death decline, 5 percent beer-sales dip, study finds

The subject of driving under the influence of marijuana has been much debated in these parts. A bill to set a THC driving limit was shelved in May, shortly before an HDNet report demonstrated pot-related driving impairment -- and in August, the Colorado Department of Transportation launched a drugge ... More >>

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol celebrates Supreme Court wins with Signature Bomb

Mason Tvert.​The Colorado Supreme Court has rejected two title-board-related challenges to the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 -- one by gadfly Doug Bruce, another from advocate Corey Donahue. Although these matters may have seemed like distractions, Regulate proponent Mason Tvert ... More >>

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act endorsed by ACLU, petition signatures reach 60,000

Mason Tvert.​The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 hasn't sparked up love from all pro-marijuana activists, but it continues to win support from other sources. According to Regulate proponent Mason Tvert, the latest organizations to endorse the measure are the American Civil Libertie ... More >>

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act: Mason Tvert upbeat despite infighting claim

Mason Tvert.​"Infighting Trips Up Supporters' Legalization Bid," a story on the front page of today's Denver Post, missed the mark for Mason Tvert, among the most prominent proponents of the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012, and not just because much of the information in it had alr ... More >>

Proponents of marijuana legalization know that where there's smoke, there's ire

Marijuana: Great Legalization Debate quickly goes to pot

​If only Ron Paul and Barney Frank had introduced their federal marijuana-legalization proposal one day earlier, the Great Legalization Debate might have turned into a truly great discussion. Instead, last night's "debate" at Casselman's more closely resembled an episode of Family Feud -- whic ... More >>

Marijuana legalization debate preview: Meet the advocates who'll be hashing it out

Free me.​It's fitting that Wednesday night's debate between Colorado cannabis activists has been dubbed "Round One." The event is being advertised as a "lively and friendly" debate -- but if it's as impassioned and fiery as the comments on our marijuana blogs have been, it might be closer to ... More >>

Marijuana: Mason Tvert can't pimp paperback deal on Facebook because book is about pot

Mason Tvert.​In general, the Internet is a marijuana-friendly place -- but that doesn't mean every door is open to weed, as pot advocate Mason Tvert learned firsthand. His publisher wanted to use Facebook to tout a special deal on his book Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to D ... More >>

Reader: Marijuana legalization advocates -- can't we all just get along?

Mason Tvert.​Yesterday, marijuana advocate Mason Tvert refuted claims that his group's filing of 2012 legalization initiatives wasn't intended to disrespect local activists. One commenter called for all parties in this particular dispute to put down their arms and give peace a chance.

Marijuana legalization: Mason Tvert touts initiative process openness, seeks more input

Mason Tvert.​The filing of eight 2012 marijuana legalization initiatives by a group led by Brian Vicente and Mason Tvert has come in for criticism from Cannabis Therapy Institute's Laura Kriho, who accuses organizers of ignoring local activists. But Tvert says nothing could be further from th ... More >>

Medical marijuana bans don't spell doom for pot legalization in 2012, says Mason Tvert

Mason Tvert.​This week, Grand Junction and Castle Rock banned retail sales of medical marijuana, joining Loveland and many other Colorado municipalities that have enacted similar prohibitions. Do these votes suggest that a proposed 2012 ballot measure to legalize pot for adult recreational us ... More >>

Marijuana legalization: Mason Tvert blasts John Hickenlooper and politicos who dodge issue

Mason Tvert.​At this hour, SAFER's Mason Tvert is slated to hold a press conference at the Denver City and County Building to highlight his pro-marijuana outfit's first-ever voter guides -- and to bash Mayor John Hickenlooper for what Tvert sees as his backwards stance on weed. But at least Hi ... More >>

Marijuana-book giveaway: Mason Tvert offers DARE instructors tome saying weed's SAFER

Mason Tvert.​Mason Tvert, the main man behind SAFER, lives to promote the theory that marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol -- and if he can hype his book Marijuana is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? at the same time, that's even better. These goals come together in Tvert's la ... More >>

Mason Tvert on marijuana protest at Aurora mall: Pro-pot, no problems

Mason Tvert at the protest, as seen on Channel 4.​On Friday, SAFER's Mason Tvert announced that he would lead a march at Town Center of Aurora to protest the treatment of John Gailey a week earlier. Back then, Gailey was cited for trespassing and banned from the mall for a year because he wor ... More >>

Mason Tvert wants Betsy Markey to honor medical marijuana industry

Mason Tvert's always got an angle.​Mason Tvert, executive director of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation), has spent five years arguing that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol -- and even critics would have to agree that his creativity in promoting this idea is off the chart ... More >>

Mason Tvert and SAFER celebrates five years of marijuana advocacy

Mason Tvert​The Grand Hyatt Denver will be hopping this Saturday, as folks gather to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, the local drug-policy reform organization better known as SAFER. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, Denver City Councilman C ... More >>

Mason Tvert on Fort Lewis College approving a marijuana initiative -- and what it means for legalization

These days, Mason Tvert is a big man on campus.​After an attempt to decriminalize statewide the adult possession of an ounce or less of marijuana failed at the polls in 2006, Mason Tvert, executive director of the drug policy reform organization Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation (SAFE ... More >>

Mason Tvert celebrates marijuana decriminalization in Nederland

Nederland: It's number three.​In its article about Nederland decriminalizing marijuana within town limits last night, the Boulder Daily Camera describes the town as the second in Colorado to take such a step, following Breckenridge, whose voters passed a similar measure last November. Marijua ... More >>

Mason Tvert touts marijuana-is-better-than-alcohol rallies at eighty-plus colleges nationwide

Mason Tvert prefers Emerald to Amethyst.​For indefatigable marijuana booster Mason Tvert, founder of the advocacy organization Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER), April 1 is a very big day. Rallies are scheduled to take place at more than eighty colleges and universities across ... More >>

Marijuana advocate Mason Tvert on why he joined a ballot-petition lawsuit -- and the future of his marijuana-legalization initiative

Mason Tvert doesn't think many current rules about petitioning make sense.​On Tuesday, we told you about a lawsuit over the rules pertaining to ballot initiatives that's supported by some strange bedfellows -- among them the Independence Institute's Jon Caldara and Mason Tvert, the marijuana a ... More >>

Medical marijuana patient busted for driving under the influence makes TV news: Mason Tvert weighs in on sensationalistic coverage

Raghv Sharma doesn't look stoned to us...​TV-news coverage of medical marijuana often veers toward the sensational -- and a story on Channel 4 serves as a perfect example. Last night, the station reported that two people in Boulder, Raghv Sharma and Benjamin Gennis, were busted for driving un ... More >>

Marijuana and right-wing politics get together: Mason Tvert and Jon Caldara sign on to lawsuit about ballot petitions

"I agree with Mason Tvert about something? AARGH!"​At first blush (and second) (and third), marijuana advocate Mason Tvert and Jon Caldara, frontman for the conservative Independence Institute, are strange bedfellows. But today, they're partners in a legal love match. They're among the plaint ... More >>

Marijuana legalization: As a precaution, Mason Tvert files language to put it on November ballot

​Pot advocate Mason Tvert filed language on Wednesday for a November ballot initiative that would allow Coloradans 21 and older to use marijuana. Does that mean Colorado is about to be embroiled in a full-scale movement to legalize weed? Not necessarily.

Marijuana advocate Mason Tvert rebuffed: Mayor John Hickenlooper's office declines to pull Lieutenant Ernie Martinez from pot panel

Mason Tvert's latest demand hasn't been granted.​Last week, we told you how prominent pot advocate Mason Tvert, head of Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER), wanted the mayor-appointed Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel, on which he sits, to expel one of its members: Lieutenant ... More >>

Marijuana advocate Mason Tvert calls for the ouster of Ernie Martinez, his Denver pot-panel colleague

Mason Tvert is taking aim at an old opponent​In many ways the friction between Mason Tvert, head of Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) and Lieutenant Ernie Martinez, head of the Colorado Drug Investigators Association (CDIA), personifies the ongoing clash between law enforcemen ... More >>

SAFER's Mason Tvert calls for boycott of Starbucks, alleged sponsor of group backing restrictive medical marijuana laws

Apparently, caffeine isn't Mason Tvert's favorite stimulant.​Hardly a day goes by without Mason Tvert, head of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation), going after some individual or institution standing in the way of legalizing marijuana use for adults in Colorado and beyond. Still ... More >>

Marijuana advocate Mason Tvert on why you should boycott Starbucks

Mason Tvert isn't drinking the coffee.​Today, Mason Tvert, founder of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation), called for a boycott of Starbucks, saying the coffee chain supported the Colorado Drug Investigators Association, a lobbying group that has opposed to medical marijuana. T ... More >>

Mason Tvert wants Denver's pot laws to be more like Seattle's

Maybe Mason should follow our former restaurant critic Jason Sheehan to Seattle -- where the grub is tasty and the weed is slightly more legal.​Forget California dreamin'. These days Mason Tvert, the media-savvy founder of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation), has been dreaming o ... More >>

Mason Tvert sees good news in survey showing teen marijuana smoking up, binge drinking down

Mason Tvert thinks teens may be on the right track.​A new University of Michigan survey shows binge drinking among teenagers declined over the last year, but more tenth and twelfth graders used marijuana. Panic time? Not for Mason Tvert, founder of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recre ... More >>

Marijuana advocate Mason Tvert launches petition targeting drug czar

SAFER's Mason Tvert thinks drug czar Gil Kerlikowske has some splainin' to do.​

SAFER's Mason Tvert on medical marijuana, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers and a weed poll on the rise

Mason Tvert gets ready for Halloween. Busted!​It's already been a big week in marijuana. Yesterday, the Obama administration issued new, less strident rules about medical-marijuana, prompting Colorado Attorney General and anti-pot crusader John Suthers to demand tighter regulations on dispensa ... More >>

Mason Tvert bamboozles his way onto the Amazon bestseller list

Amazon.com is no match for Mr. Tvert.​Mason Tvert, executive director of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation), which ran a successful 2005 campaign to legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana in Denver, has long been the merry prankster of Colorado weed activists -- a ... More >>