EPC Democrat officials speak out on texts about marijuana measure

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Misinformation and confusion are growing over support for a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs.

The Colorado Springs Safe Neighborhood Coalition , a bipartisan committee dedicated to beating the measure, is accused of misrepresenting the El Paso County Democratic Party in mass text messages sent to voters, claiming the party opposes ballot question 300.

Ballot Question 300 would amend the City ordinance to allow existing medical marijuana licensees to apply to become licensed as retail/recreational marijuana businesses. Retailers would still be subject to all applicable taxes, including the existing 5% sales tax on retail/recreational marijuana.

The ballot question would also codify several violations and penalties, including prohibiting any retail/recreational marijuana business within 1,000 feet of a public or private daycare, preschool, or K-12 school, and prohibiting the sale or transfer of retail/recreational marijuana to any person under 21.

“We’ve had this long-standing relationship, this long-standing stance that we are in favor of the legalization of marijuana,” Rob Rogers, First Vice Chair of the El Paso County Democratic Party explained. “For things to get twisted the way that they were is troublesome.”

The El Paso County Democrats say they’ve supported the measure since February. They explained the confusion stems from a recent post on their Facebook page, which mistakenly said the group was against the ballot question. The party says it was because an incorrect draft was accidentally posted.

“We corrected it within 24 hours,” Rogers said. “I think it was an opportune time for them to take advantage of something that had occurred and misrepresent our position and our stance.”

The Colorado Springs Safe Neighborhood Coalition showed the post in their text messages. The El Paso County Democrats accuse the coalition of misusing their logo to imply an official endorsement.

“Regardless of what our message was, regardless of whether or not we were supportive of it or opposing it, this conservative PAC using our logo, using our name in that way is very misleading,” Rogers said. “At best, it’s unethical.”

Daniel Cole, a spokesperson for the coalition says they’re not apologizing for sending out the text.

“It’s absurd for Rogers to complain that our graphic included the Democratic logo,” Cole explained. “The graphic we shared was simply a screenshot of the Democratic Party’s website. That’s why the logo is in the corner of the graphic because it’s in the corner of their website. He’s pretending we shared a doctored image, but we didn’t.”

Cole also provided FOX21 News with the following statement.

“300 is written in such a confusing way that even a major political party can’t decide whether it likes the measure. Colorado Springs voters defeated recreational marijuana sales just two years ago. This time, the marijuana industry reasoned that their only hope to pass the measure is to make it as confusing as possible. 300 should be voted down, and Question 2D, which simply and clearly prohibits recreational marijuana sales, should be passed. The pro-marijuana campaign got this wrong, and they’re wrong about 300 and 2D, too.”

Daniel Cole, consultant for the Colorado Springs Safe Neighborhood Coaliton.

“Even at first glance, whenever I looked at it, it would have misled me,” Rogers said.

The El Paso County Democrats are currently considering potential legal action regarding the messages.

This November, Colorado Springs voters will also have the option to vote yes on 2D which would amend the charter of the city to ban the operation of recreational cannabis businesses, essentially ruling out any future ballot initiatives.

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