Colorado and Washington State have both legalized marijuana, after victory in referenda. This chapter is the story of the people who led this fight against the odds – and what happened next.
Brian Vicente was one of the leaders of the legalization movement in Colorado. Here he explains the beginning of their campaign:
Tonia Winchester was one of the leaders of the Washington campaign. Here she explains what she used to think of drug use:
And further:
Here she explains how she started to have doubts:
Tonia explains what it was like, as a lawyer, prosecuting marijuana possession cases:
Mason Tvert was one of the leaders of the Colorado campaign. Here is explains why he believes alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana:
Here he argues it is safer for teenagers too:
He asks why the laws drive people to the more dangerous substance:
Steve Fox was another leader of the Colorado campaign. Here is explains Mason’s approach:
Steve Fox calls it “marijuana jujitsu”:
Mason argues that making the case marijuana is safer is essential to changing people’s minds:
Mason elaborates:
Tonia recalls what people would sometimes shout at her during the petition for the referendum:
Tonia explains her approach, which is different to Mason’s:
Tonia elaborates:
And further:
And further:
Tonia explains her disagreement with Mason’s argument:
She elaborates:
Roger Rofmann was one of the leading figures in the campaign in Washington state to legalize marijuana. Here he disagrees with people who say marijuana is safe:
Alison Holcomb was one of the leading figures in the Washington campaign. Here she talks about teen drug use:
She talks about realizing how high the stakes were in this fight:
Brian Vicente recalls being intimidated by a sheriff:
Brian explains that people were afraid of speaking out for legalization because of the cartels:
He elaborates:
Tonia explains the changing attitudes to drug users:
Brian Vicente talks about how pro-marijuana messages don’t poll well:
Mason comments on whether broader legalization will happen:
Mason says what he thinks should happen:
Mason talks further about this:
Dr Carl Hart talks about the changing understanding of the science of marijuana:
Carl Hart talks about the “mythical view of drugs” we have at the moment:
Barbra Brohl is the Colorado state regulator tasked with figuring out how marijuana should be sold. Here she describes it:
And elaborates:
And elaborates further: