Denver Proposed Pot Smoke Ordinance Moves Forward

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver's city council has given initial approval to an ordinance which sets limits on where people can smoke pot on private property.

After a public hearing during Monday night's council meeting a 7 to 5 vote took place that moves the measure forward.

The proposed ordinance would ban people from using the drug on their porches or in the front yard, basically anywhere that's visable from the street or sidewalk. Part of the goal of supporters is to keep neighbors from having to smell pot smoke.

People on both sides of the issue lined up to get their voices heard during the public comments part of the meeting.

"As parents we are taking responsibility to talk to our children, just as the industry has suggested," Sandra Higgins-Solan told the council. "But we need your support. We need you to help us. We need you not to make our jobs more difficult by allowing marijuana to be smoked on the front porch, which only serves to undermine our messages in conversations with our children."

"The people of Denver have voted repeatedly to legalize cannabis, to rescind measures associated with cannabis and you are spending your time are coming up with criminal penalties. It is wrong," Robert Chase said.

Denver's police chief told CBS4 that since marijuana is decriminalized under Colorado law, enforcement of the ordinance would be a low priority.

A final vote on the measure is scheduled for next Monday night.