Saguaro
06-24-2008, 01:13 PM
DENVER – A day after a woman appeared in court for allegedly smoking a cigarette and attacking a flight attendant while drunk on a cross-country flight, a local group announced it wants air travelers to have an alternative to alcohol.
Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) plans to hold a press conference on Tuesday to call for the addition of marijuana lounges in airports nationwide to "address the growing number of in-flight problems involving drunk disorderly passengers."
The announcement comes a day after 35-year-old Christina Szele of Woodside, N.Y. appeared in a Denver federal court on charges of interference with a flight attendant and assault after being accused of lighting up on a JetBlue flight last week, then punching a male flight attendant in the face.
Szele told investigators she didn't remember smoking or attacking anyone because the flight attendants gave her too many vodka drinks.
"Adults should be allowed another option for relaxing and dealing with their anxiety when they fly," stated SAFER Executive Director Mason Tvert in a news release. "It is irrational and potentially dangerous policy to continue allowing passengers to get drunk before and during flights while prohibiting them from simply making the safer choice to use marijuana prior to boarding."
The group points to "scientific evidence that shows alcohol use contributes to the likelihood of violent and unruly behavior," adding that marijuana "actually makes such behavior less likely."
In the city of Denver, SAFER initiated legislation that legalized the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana for people over the age of 21 and made personal marijuana usage the lowest possible police priority. Both items were approved by voters.
A call to the Denver district attorney's office was referred to the Denver city attorney's office. Calls to Assistant City Attorney Vince DiCroce were not immediately returned.
http://www.9news.com/news/watercooler/article.aspx?storyid=94414&catid=337
Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) plans to hold a press conference on Tuesday to call for the addition of marijuana lounges in airports nationwide to "address the growing number of in-flight problems involving drunk disorderly passengers."
The announcement comes a day after 35-year-old Christina Szele of Woodside, N.Y. appeared in a Denver federal court on charges of interference with a flight attendant and assault after being accused of lighting up on a JetBlue flight last week, then punching a male flight attendant in the face.
Szele told investigators she didn't remember smoking or attacking anyone because the flight attendants gave her too many vodka drinks.
"Adults should be allowed another option for relaxing and dealing with their anxiety when they fly," stated SAFER Executive Director Mason Tvert in a news release. "It is irrational and potentially dangerous policy to continue allowing passengers to get drunk before and during flights while prohibiting them from simply making the safer choice to use marijuana prior to boarding."
The group points to "scientific evidence that shows alcohol use contributes to the likelihood of violent and unruly behavior," adding that marijuana "actually makes such behavior less likely."
In the city of Denver, SAFER initiated legislation that legalized the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana for people over the age of 21 and made personal marijuana usage the lowest possible police priority. Both items were approved by voters.
A call to the Denver district attorney's office was referred to the Denver city attorney's office. Calls to Assistant City Attorney Vince DiCroce were not immediately returned.
http://www.9news.com/news/watercooler/article.aspx?storyid=94414&catid=337