Colorado Marijuana Reform Seminar and Activist Boot Camp
On November 15, SAFER is co-hosting the Colorado Marijuana Reform Seminar and Activist Boot Camp at Regis University in Denver. The first-of-its-kind event is designed to immediately bolster grassroots activism and education across Colorado, and build support for future state and local ballot initiatives and lobbying efforts.
More than 175 current and future activists from all over the state have already registered to attend the daylong event, where they will receive professional training and tools they can take home and implement in their communities.
There are still a few days left to register for Marijuana Boot Camp, and you can do so today at http://www.MarijuanaBootCamp.com.
SAFER is partnering with Sensible Colorado to organize this groundbreaking effort, which is bringing together a number of organizations (such as the ACLU of Colorado and the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition), businesses, elected officials, professionals, and citizens to strengthen the statewide movement in support of reform. Please see the Boot Camp schedule and our impressive list of panelists below.
In just the past couple years, SAFER has helped Coloradans take several giant strides toward more sensible local and state marijuana laws. This event will prepare them to take another huge leap in 2009.
We need your help to make it happen!
SAFER is powered by its supporters, so if you support our efforts to reform marijuana laws in Colorado and want to help us carry out this historic event, please:
• Join SAFER, Sensible Colorado and our supporting organizations and businesses for a post-Boot Camp Benefit Party from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the brand new 8 Rivers restaurant in downtown Denver (1550 Blake St.). A variety of savory Jamaican dishes and a cash bar will be provided, and we are suggesting donations of $30 for individuals, $50 for couples, and $20 for those who attend the daylong activist training. Come socialize with other supporters of the Colorado marijuana reform movement and hear some of the highlights from the Marijuana Boot Camp.
• Visit http://www.SAFERchoice.org/donate to make a tax-deductible donation today, using either your credit or debit card or the instructions for mailing checks or money orders. Whether it’s $20, $50, $100, or any other amount, it will greatly lend to this event’s success. Or, if you wish to help sustain our major statewide effort moving forward, please sign up to make automated monthly donations using your credit card. If you contribute $25 or more, or sign up for donations of just $10 per month, we will send you a SAFER T-shirt of your choice. Just be sure to e-mail us with your size (S-XL, limited XXLs) and shirt choice (”Party Organically,” “Cannabis/Can o’ beer,” or “Marijuana: It’s like alcohol but without the violence or the hangover”).
Whether you donate in person or on-line, your contribution will help us provide each boot-camper with more than 100 “How To Take Action” cards to distribute in their area, as well as a binder full of key information and organizing materials that will serve as a useful activist’s reference for years to come.
2008 Colorado Marijuana Reform Seminar & Activist Boot Camp
3333 Regis Boulevard, Denver, Colorado
9 a.m. – Registration & Check-In
9:45 a.m. – Welcome & Introduction to Boot Camp
10 a.m. – Colorado’s Marijuana Laws: Past, Present & Future
11:15 a.m. – Messaging & Framing: Changing People & Changing Laws
* Lunch generously provided by Cheba Hut *
12:30 p.m. – Lunch Panel – Everyone Can Agree: Colorado Needs Reform
Panelists: Pam Clifton, Outreach Director, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition
Jessica Peck Corry, Policy Analyst, Independence Institute
Mike Krause, Policy Analyst, Independence Institute
Dr. Robert Melamede, Biology Professor/Researcher, University of Colorado
Mark Silverstein, Legal Director, ACLU of Colorado
2 p.m. – Citizen Lobbying: Reaching & Influencing Elected Officials
Panelists: Councilman Chris Nevitt, Denver City Council
Kristen Thompson, Grassroots & Political Consultant
Rep. Paul Weissmann, Colorado State House of Representatives
3:15 p.m. – The Media: How It Works, How We Can Use It, & Why It Matters
Panelists: John Erhardt, Editor, SquareState.net
Peter Marcus, Staff Reporter, Denver Daily News
Jason Salzman, Media Critic, Rocky Mountain News
4 p.m. – Taking Action: Building Support & Maintaining Momentum
5 p.m. – Culmination of Seminar & Activist Boot Camp
6 p.m. – Boot Camp Benefit Party @ 8 Rivers LoDo (1550 Blake St., Denver)
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