Denver Mayor Michael Hancock wants the city council to make smoking marijuana in public illegal.

The ordinance in question suggests that if a neighbor sees or smells marijuana smoke they would then have the right to report said activity to the local authorities. Those charged with breaking the proposed ordinance could find themselves incarcerated for up to a year and possibly pay a fine of $1,000.

Mayor Michael Hancock’s office is claiming that the ordinance isn’t about punishing people for smoking marijuana in their backyards, but instead for those who smoke in excess and offend nearby neighbors.

“He wants to criminalize adults who want to use marijuana in the privacy of their own homes. This is absolutely ridiculous. The mayor is rolling back a law that was adopted by the voters of Colorado,” Mason Tvert with the pro-marijuana organization Marijuana Policy Project proclaimed.

Councilwoman Deborah Ortega, who says the issue won’t likely be voted on until December, claims this particular topic is worthy of a sincere discussion, especially when considering the public safety of the state’s youth. (Oy vey, prepare yourself for a nauseating “what about the children” reply)

“I think it is a legitimate issue to look at how we’re doing what we need to do to protect children,” Councilwoman Ortega avowed.

The ordinance pretty much bans the smell and sight of marijuana smoke anywhere within the Denver city limits, and yes, Mason, even in the freagin’ privacy of your own backyard. I’m on board with banning bad smells and offensive odors. I can think of at least 10 things off the top of my head that I could live without ever smelling again, but let’s be realistic here, Mayor Hancock. I do wish you good luck in the next election cycle though, but only because I think you’re really going to need it.

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