Several groups in association with the Korbel School of International Studies and the Sturm College of Law sponsored a series of events this week for “drug week,” which focused on Colorado’s drug policies in association with other parts of the world, particularly Latin America, according to event organizer and Korbel graduate student Alison Lowe.

The events were organized to examine the statewide, national and particularly international effect of Colorado’s passage of Amendment 64 last November, which legalized and will regulate use of marijuana for those above 21 years of age.

The week of events was organized by the Denver Women in International Security, the Latin American Studies Association (LASA), the Organization of Security Students and the Spanish Speaking Lawyers Association.

“I hope the events give an opportunity for people to hear how legalization will affect the drug war,” said Lowe.

The week featured a series of events including the screening of the documentary film “The House I Live In” Tuesday, a workshop entitled “Overview of the International Drug Problem” Wednesday, a speech by keynote speaker Francisco Thoumi, a member of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board, on Thursday and a panel discussion Friday.

The panel discussion featured Thoumi, Brian Vicente, executive director of the Denver Mayor’s Marijuana Policy Review Panel; Art Way, Colorado senior manager of the Drug Policy Alliance and Michael Ryan, a member of the Denver Police Department (DPD) narcotics vice unit.

Each panelist discussed the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and its impact nationally and internationally from their perspective and experience, and later took questions from the audience.

Lowe, also the president of LASA, said that LASA traditionally does a spring event related to Latin America, and an examination of drug policy sounded relevant to both Colorado and the national and international community.

“The big question is, once the U.S. does this [legalization of marijuana], what does the rest of the world do?,” she said, also explaining that Colorado is at the beginning of what could be a “pivotal moment in drug prohibition.”

Although the snow early in the week did impact attendance of several of the events, Lowe said all the events had solid attendance. Friday’s panel was the most attended, according to Lowe, with about 20 spectators.

Lowe said the events of the week were important to examine the impact of Amendment 64. She said the recent passing indicated to other countries changing drug policies in the United States and has created some “international tension.”

“I think it’s neat to make people more aware that there is this international element to what’s happening in Colorado,” said Lowe.