October 3rd.2007
Canadian Press
DENVER - A group that led a campaign to legalize marijuana possession
in Denver is posting a billboard advertisement encouraging suspended
running back Ricky Williams and the Broncos to get together.
Williams applied for NFL reinstatement this week, his agent said.
Williams has played in only 12 NFL games since the start of the 2004
season, but rushed for 3,225 yards in 2002-03. His current suspension
began in April 2006 after he violated the league's drug policy for the
fourth time. He tested positive for marijuana this April, again
delaying his return.
Williams remains under contract with Miami, where he won the NFL
rushing title in 2002. But new coach Cam Cameron has not indicated
whether he wants Williams to stay with the Dolphins, who fell to 0-4
Sunday.
The billboard, across the street from Invesco Field, where the Broncos
play, will be unveiled Wednesday and will stay up for a month. At a
cost of US$3,000, it features a player with dreadlocks in a blue and
orange jersey and reads, "Ricky, come to Denver... Where the people
support your SAFER choice."
In 2005, Denver residents passed an initiative removing all penalties
for possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults. The campaign
was run on the message that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol.
Police have continued prosecuting people under state law, however.
Federal law also prohibits possession.
"The National Football League's marijuana policy is just as irrational
as our federal government's marijuana policy," said Mason Tvert of the
group Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation. "In both cases,
authorities are steering adults toward using alcohol and punishing
them for making the safer choice to use marijuana instead.
"If (commissioner) Roger Goodell and every NFL player over 21 can go
home after a game and have a drink, there is no reason why Ricky
Williams should not be allowed to go home and use a less harmful
drug."
The initiative Denver voters approved two years ago allows adults to
carry up to an ounce of marijuana. No other state allows pot
possession for anything other than medical use.
"Ricky Williams would feel right at home here," Tvert said.
