Mason Tvert

Amendment 64 opponents threatening to repeal measure if tax rates aren't high, campaign says

Amendment 64 opponents are threatening to force a repeal of the measure allowing adults 21 and over to use and possess small amounts of marijuana if legislators don't approve a sales tax that's higher than necessary to cover costs. That's the claim of A64 proponents, who have scheduled a press conf ... More >>

Cure the 4/20 munchies at these culinary events tomorrow

Happy Friday! It's 4/20 tomorrow, man, so here's a pinch of foodie events to satisfy the munchies -- whether you partake in the "festivities" or not. And if you know of any other happenings, feel free to puff-puff and pass them along in the comments section below. See also: - The 4/20 party list: W ... More >>

Ask a Stoner, 4/20 edition: Pot critic William Breathes answers your cannabis queries

See also: How marijuana activist Mason Tvert stirs the pot

In honor of 4/20, marijuana activist Mason Tvert discusses the future of pot

See also: Pot critic William Breathes answers your cannabis queries in a special 4/20 edition

Marijuana showdown: Mason Tvert to take on Patrick Kennedy prior to Project SAM launch

Project SAM, a national organization that opposes marijuana legalization, is scheduled to formally launch during a 10:30 a.m. press conference today at the Denver Press Club. The event is only open to accredited journalists, but Marijuana Policy Project spokesman and Amendment 64 proponent Mason Tve ... More >>

Marijuana: Project SAM, anti-legalization group, launches Colorado chapter, Mason Tvert attacks

A national organization that opposes the legalization of marijuana and is advocating "smarter approaches" launched today in Denver -- and also announced that the group will soon open a chapter in Colorado, where voters in November passed Amendment 64. The advocates behind the group, called Project S ... More >>

Marijuana: Project SAM touts public-health approach to pot in fighting legalization

The signing of Amendment 64 has plenty of folks talking about marijuana legalization -- even the Obama administration drug czar. Project SAM, which will formally launch in Denver tomorrow, is against the wider availability of cannabis. But the group, whose acronym stands for "Smart Approach to Marij ... More >>

Marijuana petition asks Joe Biden not to push for crackdown on Colorado, Washington

The longer the federal government waits to tell Colorado and Washington whether it will allow the states to determine their own marijuana policy after each passed pot-reform measures, the more theories surface about who in the administration might prove to be an impediment. The latest involves Vice ... More >>

Video: Barack Obama says targeting recreational marijuana users not a priority, but....

In teasing her interview tonight with President Barack Obama on 20/20 (see a preview below), Barbara Walters naturally starts with...pot. But while the headline statement involves Obama's assurance that the federal government has larger priorities than to go after recreational marijuana users in Col ... More >>

Amendment 64 approved: Mason Tvert celebrates, John Hickenlooper talks Cheetos

Moments ago, 9News projected that Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act had won approval from a majority of Colorado voters. Proponent Mason Tvert, speaking amid a boisterous celebration at the measure's victory party, puts the historic achievement in perspective.

The history of cannabis in Colorado...or how the state went to pot

See also: William Breathes looks back on three years as the country's first pot critic

Marijuana: Amendment 64's opponents want new ad pulled, backers respond

This week, the folks behind Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, have been ballyhooing a new ad featuring the endorsement of singer Melissa Etheridge. But act opponents are focused more on another commercial -- a spot highlighting revenues for school construction. They say the spot ... More >>

Marijuana: Amendment 64 blasted by Douglas County sheriff, Mason Tvert responds

The powers-that-be in Douglas County really, really oppose Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act. Yesterday, the Dougco commissioners passed a strongly worded resolution against the measure, while Sheriff David Weaver launched a salvo that paints a world in which Amendment 64 is law ... More >>

Marijuana: Amendment 64 opponents dub Tony Ryan, decorated Denver officer, a rent-a-cop

Yesterday, the backers of Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, held a press event at which retired Denver Police Lieutenant Tony Ryan appeared alongside other law-enforcement representatives who support the measure. Afterward, the head of the main anti-64 group dubbed him a "pro-po ... More >>

John Hickenlooper opposing marijuana Amendment 64, both sides react

Late yesterday afternoon, in the biggest surprise since the sun rose in the east, Governor John Hickenlooper announced his opposition to Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act. Amendment proponent Mason Tvert responded with a statement charging Hick with hypocrisy -- a theme that echo ... More >>

Marijuana: Would Amendment 64 really prevent 12,000 pot arrests?

In our recent post about cannabis community division over Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, Mason Tvert, among the measure's main proponents, said passage of the initiative would prevent as many as 12,000 pot-related arrests per year. Is this estimate reasonable? A report on vie ... More >>

Marijuana: Amendment 64 study authors defend higher revenues than state predicted

Update:A Colorado Center on Law and Policy study predicting the economic impact of Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, has become a political football for proponents and opponents. Now, CCLP reps are defending the methodology of the report, whose totals differ from those of state ... More >>

Marijuana: Could Amendment 64's success hurt Barack Obama in Colorado?

The presidential contest between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will likely be very tight in Colorado, a key swing state -- and a close vote is also expected for Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act. But could a big turnout for the latter undermine Obama in the state? This theory is b ... More >>

Marijuana: Pat Robertson asks for Amendment 64 billboard featuring him to come down

Last week, we told you about a Grand Junction billboard in support of Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, featuring televangelist Pat Robertson, who'd made public statements in support of the measure. Nonetheless, one of Robertson's reps asked that the billboard come down -- and i ... More >>

Medical marijuana patient numbers in Colorado decline for fifth month in a row

For the fifth month in a row, thousands of patients have dropped off the Colorado medical marijuana registry. From October to November 2011, the registry lost more than 8,000 patients, according to statistics released yesterday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act aims 160,000 signatures at 2012 ballot

​In July, the folks behind the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 launched a petition drive to land the measure on the November 2012 ballot -- and at 11:30 p.m. today, they'll celebrate the effort at a press event before formally submitting nearly 160,000 signatures. Proponent Mason T ... More >>

Marijuana: Mason Tvert hopes AG John Suthers isn't hyping MMJ ban, his office says he's not

John Suthers.​The continuing war of words between marijuana advocate Mason Tvert and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers shows no signs of ebbing. The latest? Tvert hopes Suthers isn't implicitly campaigning for a medical marijuana ban in Eagle County at an event slated for this evening.

Marijuana activists ask John Suthers to take ethics pledge after Dan Hartman criticism

John Suthers.​At noon today, Mason Tvert and other Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act backers will stage an event at Attorney General John Suthers's office. Why? Suthers feels a letter by (outgoing?) Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division head Dan Hartman published in places mulling MMJ retai ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Study shows dispensaries may create safer neighborhoods

Do medical marijuana dispensaries make neighborhoods safer? That's the conclusion of a study by the RAND Corporation, which counters the widespread perception that MMJ businesses attract crime.

Marijuana: Great Legalization Debate II will be about unity, not bickering, says organizer

Laura Kriho.​In June, the first Great Legalization Debate, which was intended to seek common ground on the issue of legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana, deteriorated into a snipe-fest, with Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act proponent Mason Tvert pitted against most of the other participa ... More >>

Marijuana activist Miguel Lopez moving on after dropped Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol beef

Miguel Lopez.​Update: Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act proponent Mason Tvert decided this week not to pursue an official complaint against activist Miguel Lopez for allegedly snatching a signed petition from a Regulate volunteer in July. We've spoken with Lopez, who says he is happy to mov ... More >>

Marijuana activist Miguel Lopez admits taking Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act petition

Miguel Lopez.​Marijuana activist Miguel Lopez took a signed petition for the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol act of 2012 out of a voter's hands on July 17 and allegedly prevented volunteers from retrieving it. When the petition didn't resurface last week, Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol propon ... More >>

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012: Mason Tvert on petition drive launch

​Update below: At 2 p.m. today, backers of the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 will stage a press conference formally launching a petition drive to land the measure on next year's ballot. Read it below and get more details from Mason Tvert, part of a group hoping to make history a ... More >>

Marijuana legalization ballot measures language not likely to change much

​Today, eight proposed 2012 marijuana legalization ballot measures were considered by the Colorado Office of Legislative and Legal Services. However, few changes were made and little was said by the initiatives' backers.

Medical marijuana letter from U.S. Attorney early attack on 2012 pot legalization campaign?

Brian Vicente.​Medical marijuana advocates have been debating the intent of U.S. Attorney John Walsh's letter attacking portions of HB 1043, a bill intended to tweak MMJ regs that became law last year. Among the theories: The letter is a warning shot in what will be a full-scale federal effort ... More >>

Mason Tvert: Colorado attorney general John Suthers using scare tactics about teen pot stats

John Suthers.​Update below: A National Institute on Drug Abuse study showing pot use up among all grades surveyed, with eighth grade taking the largest leap, prompted strong words from Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, an opponent of MMJ dispensaries who blames their prevalence for much ... More >>

Top 25 marijuana stories in Colorado in 2010: The year in weed

​It's been a momentous year for marijuana in Colorado: landmark legislation, turf wars, huge profits, shocking arrests, enormous celebrations and more. Below, we've compiled links to and excerpts from 25 of the biggest weed stories to take place in the state during 2010. Page through and brea ... More >>

Proposition 19 loss gives CO chance to be first state to legalize marijuana, says Mason Tvert

Mason Tvert.​Update: Reached a short time ago, SAFER's Mason Tvert is philosophical about the defeat of marijuana legalization measure Proposition 19 in California. He sees a number of flaws in the approach of organizers there that may have contributed to it falling short -- errors he feels hi ... More >>

Pot versus beer: Are CO's two iconic industries destined to clash over weed legalization?

​Has the war between intoxicants formally begun? The California Beer and Beverage Distributors (CBBD), a trade association, recently made headlines for donating $10,000 to oppose Proposition 19, the California marijuana-legalization measure to be voted on in November.

Signed, sealed and rejected: These political activists are rabble with a cause

Marijuana movement for women urges: Spill the beans to your mom about pot on Mother's Day

Jessica Peck Corry, marijuana mom.​For the most part, the marijuana movement has long been seen as a predominantly male group -- but that's about to change. Just in time for Mothers Day, a variety of local pot activists (most of them female) are launching the Women's Marijuana Movement with th ... More >>

4/20 in Denver speaker, NORML executive director Allen St. Pierre, says Colorado has no peer when it comes to accepting cannabis

Allen St. Pierre loves green... ties.​As the executive director of NORML, the nation's best-known marijuana-reform advocacy organization, Allen St. Pierre could spend 4/20 anywhere in the U.S. So why's he coming to Denver for next week's spectacle at Civic Center Park? Two main reasons: "This ... More >>

Mason Tvert to Ben Roethlisberger: Maybe you wouldn't be in trouble if you'd been smoking weed

A Flickr photoMason Tvert's got a message for Big Ben.​You can always count on SAFER head Mason Tvert to defend the honor of marijuana. Note that he's previously praised a study showing teen toking is on the rise but binge drinking is falling and advocated a boycott of Starbucks, allegedly bec ... More >>

Personhood amendment backers consider suing over ballot-petition procedures, too

The personhood amendment is probably coming to a ballot near you.​On Tuesday, we told you about a lawsuit over ballot-petition rules filed by attorney David Lane on behalf of advocates as varied as the Independence Institute's Jon Caldara and SAFER's Mason Tvert. It's possible the group of pl ... More >>

Marijuana mother: Mason Tvert's SAFER weed crusade gets his mom's blessing

Mason Tvert, executive director of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation), has found an excellent advocate in the promotion of his new book, Marijuana is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink?: his mom. Diane Tvert co-stars with Mason in the piece above, which aired on an Arizon ... More >>

Mason Tvert and Brian Vicente's plan to legalize Colorado pot in 2012

​Mason, left, and Vicente: a match made in pot heaven.​Move over, Cheech and Chong: The two most important people in Colorado's marijuana scene are Brian Vicente and Mason Tvert -- and they're out to prove it by passing a statewide initiative in 2012 that will legalize marijuana for all ... More >>

Should Lance Armstrong's new team be sponsored by marijuana?

Lance Armstrong at rest.​Mason Tvert is brilliant at making any subject about marijuana -- but he's really outdone himself this time. In his latest media jeremiad, the head of SAFER (Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation) goes after bicycle racer Lance Armstrong for becoming the new spoke ... More >>

The Westword.com blog shortcut, August 21 edition

Roll out the barrel....​The line starts here. Today in Cafe Society: • Mountains of food and wine this weekend at the Mesa Verde Country Food, Wine and Art Festival. • Cherry Creek North Food and Wine Festival takes over Fillmore Plaza. • Mysteries of Sheehan's Desk: Day 8. • Andrews ... More >>

Wake-Up Call: Mason Tvert on the money

If the Colorado Legislature can tie a debate on the death penalty to the dismal economy, no reason California can't do the same for a discussion of legalizing marijuana. "Well, I think it's not time for (legalization), but I think it's time for a debate," Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesda ... More >>

It's almost 4/20 -- and here comes Mason Tvert

A Flickr photoMason Tvert hasn't turned narc. He's seen wearing a Halloween costume. April 20 isn't only the anniversary of the killings at Columbine High School. It's also 4/20, a national celebration of cannabis culture -- something long supported by Mason Tvert, executive director of SAFER (Safe ... More >>

Ron Zappolo Tells Marijuana Advocate to Keep Fighting the Good Fight

Are Travis Henry and Ricky Williams SAFER One Toke Over the Line?

Yappers’ Delight: City Council Puts Pot to Voters

Going to Pot

Greetings from the Mile High City.

Going to Pot

Smoke and mirrors at CU.