(Newser)
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Feeding unsuspecting classmates pot brownies still isn't legal in Colorado, but smoking pot for your own recreational use now is, after Gov. John Hickenlooper today took the purposely low-key procedural step of declaring the voter-approved change part of the state constitution. Hickenlooper, a Democrat, opposed the measure but had no veto power over the voter-approved amendment to the state constitution. He tweeted his declaration today and sent an executive order to reporters by email after the fact.
He said he didn't want to make a big deal about the proclamation, a decision that prevented a countdown to legalization as seen in Washington. He technically had until Jan. 5 to declare marijuana legal, but told reporters he didn't see the point in waiting. "If the voters go out and pass something and they put it in the state constitution, by a significant margin, far be it from myself or any governor to overrule. I mean, this is why it's a democracy, right?" Hickenlooper said. Adults over 21 in Colorado may now possess up to an ounce of marijuana, or six plants. Public use and sale of the drug remain illegal.
