Pot resolution could have threatened legal marijuana shops

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DENVER, May 7 (UPI) -- The leader of Colorado's state Senate snuffed his own bill that marijuana advocates feared would have halted the state's plans for legal marijuana shops.

The proposal by Senate President John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, and two dozen other senators would have asked voters to approve referendums on sales taxes on recreational marijuana and on suspending sales of recreational marijuana, The Denver Post reported Tuesday.

The resolution was introduced about 6 p.m. Monday, the last day it could have been submitted as the legislature nears its final days.

Marijuana advocates and lobbyists raced to find copies of the resolution, which hadn't been posted online when it was debated in committee, and then ran to testify on the proposal.

Morse said the resolution was an attempt to force marijuana advocates to support the referendum on taxing pot sales.

Morse adjourned the Senate at 9:30 p.m. without taking a vote on the resolution, effectively pulling it from the legislative calendar.