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Grand Junction Police no Longer Citing for Pot Possession up to an Ounce

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Nov 15, 2012 at 8:34 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 16, 2012 at 7:39 AM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- State law enforcement agencies and district attorneys are tackling uncharted territory with the passage of Amendment 64.

Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger discussed what would happen if an adult is cited under the current law and goes to court after Amendment 64 is passed. "That's a complicating factor. It's something we'll probably have to be talking to the jury about, educate them ... look, the law's changed since then. What matters is the law that was in effect on the date of violation."

The Grand Junction Police Department recently stated: "Although the final certification of the election results have not yet occurred, effective immediately it is the policy of the GJPD not to cite persons age 21 or older that possess and/or consume marijuana, 1 ounce or less of marijuana, and/or cultivate and possess six or less plants as allowed by the amendment."

Hautzinger said, "I'm completely fine with any police agency or any individual officer making their own decision as to whether they want to write tickets in this gray period."

Over in Boulder, District Attorney Stan Garnett tweeted, "Due to Amendment 64, 20th JD DA's office dismisses pending possession of MJ less than an ounce/MJ paraphernalia cases for defendants over 21."

Hautzinger is taking a different approach. "I represent Mesa County, and Mesa County voted 2-1 against it, so I'm pretty comfortable that it's the right thing to do, and I'm going to continue enforcing the law as it currently exists."

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office will also be upholding the current law until the election results are certified.

Once signed into law, officials say they still have related legislation to conquer.

Hautzinger said, "The crime commission that I sit on passed a proposal last week to make driving under the influence of marijuana with 5 nanograms in your blood a per say or presumed crime."

Hautzinger says a DUID per say law is that much more crucial now that Amendment 64 has passed.

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Anonymous said on Monday, Dec 10 at 9:08 AM

The truth is you are a moron! If you think crack and pot are at all the same you deserve a hot rod in your eyeball! Shut up all you Jesus loving freaks. Go jump off a cliff somewhere and follow your god to doom!

Jim Kane said on Sunday, Dec 9 at 11:34 AM

When will all the non-violent marijuana prisoners be released?

Raymond Ford said on Sunday, Nov 18 at 12:13 PM

With the legalization of pot, the most important step is...it points us in the right political direction bringing us one step closer to addressing perpetual debt. How? Billions of dollars will be saved on not policing marijuana, as well as, reducing the black market and generating billions in taxes. Loads of other business will pop up due to the legalization of pot creating more jobs. A new tommorow is before us. "Free Flow"

The truth said on Friday, Nov 16 at 7:34 PM

And now it begins.....lol I can't wait for my crack to be legal too! I'm oh so proud of my state!

daniel heeter jr. said on Friday, Nov 16 at 1:20 PM

It looks like some are still afraid of the most benign plant on the planet, not only nontoxic, but the most versatile plant on the planet.

Anonymous said on Thursday, Nov 15 at 11:08 PM

krex is a brainless joke

tater said on Thursday, Nov 15 at 11:05 PM

"...presumed crime." WTF is that Pete? Guilty by assumption? Hautzinger is, per se, full of himself.

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