The measure would change a city ordinance to allow people over age 21 to possess up to an ounce of marijuana in Denver, but would have no bearing on state or federal laws that criminalize marijuana use.

"It just goes to show the voters of Denver are fed up with a law that prohibits adults from making a rational, safer choice to use marijuana instead of alcohol," said Mason Tvert, executive director of Safer Alternative for Enjoyable Recreation, the group that sponsored the ballot initiative.

Last year, Oakland, Calif., residents voted to make marijuana possession the lowest priority for local law-enforcement and called on the city to devise a plan whereby marijuana could be licensed, taxed, and sold. But voters in Telluride, Colo., defeated a similar proposal on Tuesday.

Denver police will still charge residents with marijuana possession under the state statute, according to Attorney General John Suthers, who called the ballot measure "unconstructive."

But Tvert said the next step is a statewide campaign for legalization. "This is not just symbolic," he said. "This is a fact. This city voted to change a city ordinance. We expect the city officials to respect the will of the voters who elected them."

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