Former FoCo mayor’s anti-marijuana book draws critics

Former Fort Collins Mayor Ray Martinez is getting guff for his new book, a piece that criticizes marijuana.

Martinez’s book, “The Truth About Marijuana, America’s Snake Oil,” was published earlier this summer. It aims to discredit claims by pro-marijuana groups that the drug is safer than alcohol.

“I’m just trying to destroy the misleading facts that are being put out there,” Martinez told the Denver Post.

As a former undercover drug agent, Martinez crusaded last year to put an end to medical marijuana dispensaries in Fort Collins.

Reviewers on Amazon have disparaged the book as false propaganda and, well, boring. Four reviewers weighed in, giving the book two out of five stars.

Others, mostly prosecutors, have praised the book, according to Martinez’s website.

“Ray candidly brings to light the dangers and adverse affects of the use of marijuana and the abuses committed by medical marijuana distribution facilities,” said former Eighth Judicial District Attorney Stu VanMeveren.

“This book should be mandatory reading for our elected representatives who make decisions relating to proposals for legalization of marijuana and/or the creation of medical marijuana outlets.”

Beet Street expands some programs, refocuses some efforts

Beet Street, the Fort Collins arts-promotion nonprofit, bowed out of this year’s New West Fest but it has expanded its signature program, Streetmosphere, to Front Range Village in southeast Fort Collins.

Previously, the program was focused on downtown Fort Collins, with artists performing musical acts on the weekends during the summer. Now, Fridays through Sundays, shoppers at stores and restaurants at Front Range Village can take in the same performances.

Streetmosphere is in its third year, according to Beet Street program manager Kari Munson, and Beet Street felt it had gained enough experience to expand the program beyond the boundaries of Old Town Fort Collins.

But if you haven’t seen it yet, better hurry. Streetmosphere performances at Front Range Village began July 9 and will run until Aug. 19. Acts can be caught on Fridays between 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Munson said Beet Street opted against participating in the annual New West Fest in part because it’s been so busy getting its Arts Incubator off the ground. The incubator is in its first year and hopes to grow steadily over the next two years, adding programs and classes.

The Downtown Business Association and the Bohemian Foundation, the two entities that put the event together every year, were very understanding, according to Munson.

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