 These referendums called on the universities to make the penalties for the use and possession of marijuana no greater than the penalties for the use and possession of alcohol.Under Colorado state law prior to 2013, having an ounce of marijuana or less is punishable by a $100 fine but no jail time.In the summer of 2005, SAFER leaders decided to run a citywide marijuana legalization initiative in Denver, Colorado called the Alcohol-Marijuana Equalization Initiative.