March 22, 2012 02:28 AM UTC

Majority of Denver GOP Supports Amendment 64

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• by: Colorado Pols

While Pat Robertson’s “endorsement” of this cycle’s Amendment 64 might have been the most surprising right-wing support of recreational marijuana usage, even Denver GOP activists seem to be coming out in favor of the measure.

That’s the latest word, at least, from the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol:

On the heels of the Pat Robertson endorsement of Amendment 64, it is great to see increasing support for regulating marijuana like alcohol across the ideological spectrum. It is impressive and encouraging that a majority of some of the most active Republicans in Denver voted to endorse the initiative. As more and more Coloradans see their friends and neighbors voicing their opposition to marijuana prohibition, we expect support for the initiative will continue to grow.

A remarkable 56% of delegates at last week’s Denver County Republican Assembly voted in support of a resolution to endorse the amendment, just short of the 2/3rds required to adopt support as an official platform plank. That’s so remarkable, in part, because those who attend county assemblies (and any local party event, both Democratic and Republican) aren’t always the best indicator of the party at-large — they’re more involved, and as a result, more opinionated than the average Dem or GOP voter. That over 50% of the party’s most right-wing members voted in favor of an issue that’s more palatable to liberal voters is evidence that Amendment 64 might just have legs within the Republican core heading into the general election.

We doubt very many of those at the county assembly have even seen a marijuana plant in the last decade or more. Yet a majority were inclined to support the measure because there are arguments that aren’t related to recreational or medical marijuana use, including a state’s-rights issue that pits Colorado against the big, bad Federal government. Even the most strident, anti-marijuana social conservative has to like that image.

The Denver GOP, of course, isn’t representative of the entire Colorado Republican Party. But it’s important to note that even the mile high’s most hardcore Republicans aren’t totally opposed to the idea behind Amendment 64.