The Colorado Springs Gazette has endorsed Amendment 44 which would depenalize personal possession by adults of up to one ounce of marijuana.

The long journey toward a more rational and workable national drug control policy begins with a single step. Thats why were backing Amendment 44 in next weeks election. The text of Amendment 44 is simple. It reads: Any person under twenty-one years of age who possesses not more than one ounce of marijuana commits a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars. Not very complicated, but this change could make a big difference in how the judicial system deals with drug offenders, as well as send a strong message to Washington that Coloradans are ready for a more realistic and rational national drug policy.

According to SAFER Colorado, sponsor of the Amendment, the text of the ballot initiative is as follows:

Shall there be an amendment to section 18-18-406 (1) of the Colorado revised statutes making legal the possession of one ounce or less of marihuana for any person twenty-one years of age or older?