Colorado Medical Marijuana Blog

One popular bonus to modern cannabis genetics is the addition of exotic flavors and smells. A new flavor that has gained popularity (at least online) is bubblegum Kush; containing a sweet, bubblegum like aroma matched with sweet flavor and finished with small red and pink hairs. Kush is a term used to describe a strain with high indica properties – originally procured from the India Kush mountain region. Many connoisseurs claim that flavors are becoming just as important as potency. Other popular flavors include blueberry and pineapple. Another interesting and popular flavor is diesel; yes, it has an aroma similar to diesel fuel, matched with heavy indica properties. Colorado cannabis is an ever evolving enterprise. Although the industry itself is under much scrutiny, the science of medicinal marijuana in Colorado will constantly innovate and evolve.

Enough with all of these debates and analysis of laws and regulations. Not everything about Colorado cannabis needs to revolve around controversy, propaganda, and heated debate. In fact, that all seems slightly ironic when evaluating the properties of medical marijuana in Colorado. Effects of cannabis have been well documented, so analyzing the science seems moot for the point of this article. Really, marijuana creates a euphoric effect for the user. Things just seem more enjoyable when smoking marijuana. There’s a reason why there is a giant cloud of smoke just before a concert begins, right? Let’s face it; marijuana is not a violent drug. When was the last time a fist fight broke out between stoners? Now, think of the last time a fist fight broke out at a keg party – that’s right, nearly every one. All of the controversy aside, marijuana is a very peaceful drug. It makes people crave food and write poetry and listen to music. Cannabis is a friendly drug that can enhance experiences and make for pleasant times. Legalization will be a long, painful process.  In the meantime, enjoy the plant for what it is: pleasant.

Here in Colorado, medical marijuana has become a controversial and popular subject for public debate. California is not all that different, yet voters will see a legalization initiative on the November ballot. If this initiative passes, it could open the door to legal recreational cannabis for Colorado as well. Although medical cannabis is a legitimate industry designed to help patients in need, it is still a stepping stone to public acceptance and eventually legalization. Realistically, pure legalization is still a distant goal. Even if the California initiative passes, there will still be plenty of due process and public backlash to ensue; similar to the current state of Colorado cannabis. In addition, even the most optimistic nationwide polls show a 44% public approval rate. Furthermore, Federal legalization would be unlikely unless a majority of states vote for legalization. Still, without the initial steps, legalization wouldn’t even be a feasibility. Although the process will be long and painstaking, legalization may be possible in the foreseeable future.

Less than a full year ago, the town of Breckenridge voted to decriminalize marijuana possession. Now town citizens can enjoy a venue where patrons pay an annual fee to enter a club and use vaporizers to ingest their cannabis. It is not known if the club owner requires a medicinal marijuana card, but patrons must be over the age of twenty one. Once again, as heated debate rages on Capitol Hill, Breckenridge finds a way to break the norm and ride on the cutting edge of legality. The club is not without controversy, however, as neighboring businesses have complained that the club seems inappropriate.  Still, towns such as Breckenridge may be key to changing paranoid attitudes towards medical marijuana in Colorado.

House Bill 1284 has officially passed in the House and is now up for Senate approval. Basically, the Bill gives towns and cities the right to ban dispensaries and creates stronger background checks for dispensary owners. What is most disturbing is the level of white noise and propaganda being spewed from both sides.  According to Colorado cannabis advocates, Bill 1284 is unconstitutional as it restricts Amendment 20, which was passed by voters. Opponents to medicinal marijuana in Colorado claim Amendment 20 was a lie and a farce and has been abused to the point where their children are exposed to a medicinal marijuana dispensary on every corner. Both views, of course, can be viewed as obtuse and reactionary. Objectively speaking, the industry boomed in a short amount of time; one should expect a defensive reaction from the public. Likewise, cannabis can have significant benefit beyond the medical trade; tax revenue alone could relieve significant budget strain for cities and the State. Unfortunately, both sides seem content with using propaganda and fear tactics to get their point across. In reality, it comes down to the potential for full blown legality; advocates want it, opponents fear it. Soon enough, initiatives and new amendments (such as initiative 47) will be presented to the voting public, thus ending the debate. This industry is legitimate; it should be allowed to thrive. Hopefully both sides will find common ground and the public will be allowed to make the choice, much like alcohol and tobacco.

The tone surrounding marijuana has clearly become more intense as Bill 1284 gains ground in the State House. In short, the Bill is meant to create more strict requirements for dispensaries, gives cities the right to ban dispensaries and creates stronger tax regulation on the industry. So far, it looks like this Bill will eventually pass. Strict regulation was simply a matter of inevitability. In a true to form rally, the capital city was covered in a cloud of smoke as protesters and speakers gathered to rally against regulation. Therein lies the problem: proponents of the industry are far too flamboyant and confrontational with cannabis; a giant cloud of marijuana smoke lying over the capital city actually causes resistance, fear and resent among the common public. Blowing smoke in the face of the voting public is actually giving strict regulation momentum in the public eye. In a bold statement, the executive director of NORML claimed the industry needs to be fully legalized; thus admitting the medicinal marijuana approach is simply a stepping stone to full legalization. Colorado medical marijuana has been controversial as well as vaguely defined and regulated from its inception. It seems as though strict regulation is on the horizon.

As the debate over Medicinal marijuana in Colorado rages on, many lawmakers have proposed regulations and Bills in an effort to regulate the booming Colorado cannabis industry. Many proponents, advocates, lobbyists and entrepreneurs argue strict regulation will squelch a legitimate industry that could possibly help mend a weak economy.   Colorado marijuana is, in fact, proving to be a legitimate business capable of providing enough jobs and tax revenue to benefit the economy. Unfortunately, illegitimate businesses, fly by night opportunists and underground protests have created a counterproductive element to the medical cannabis cause. Amendment 20 was originally intended to provide medicinal marijuana to legitimate patients via a caregiver. Now, according to the opposing view, there is a Colorado medical marijuana dispensary on every corner. Many opponents argue that the Amendment has been taken advantage of, thus creating a back door to pure legalization. Although this is not the intention, one can certainly acknowledge this perception. Bill 1284, for example, is the newest proposition up for vote in the Senate. Its main intent is to limit Colorado medical marijuana dispensary licenses as well as limit the amount of patients a caregiver can provide for.  Although this is a simplistic interpretation of Bill 1284, it is essentially an effort to slow the booming industry. Unfortunately, the industry will become more tightly regulated, whether Bill 1284 passes or not. Medicinal marijuana is certainly a legitimate industry providing a quality product to those in need. However, over exposure and an inversely proportional boom in highly visible dispensaries have soured public perception. Regulation is a necessary and inevitable consequence to every controversial industry, cannabis in Colorado is no different.

Medicinal marijuana in Colorado has plenty of medical benefit; mostly in the form of pain relief. Although the medicinal properties are legitimate, one cannot deny that all treatment comes with side effects. Compared to other, harsher pharmaceutical drugs, medical cannabis actually has acceptable effects. Most people know about the common short term effects like dry mouth, sort term memory loss, red eye, and drowsiness. It should be known, however, that medical marijuana does have effects that are longer lasting and less well known. Many users experience paranoia, this effect can become inflated for the common user, sometimes leading to social withdrawal and anxiety. Although drowsiness is a common short term effect, cannabis can actually cause heightened blood pressure and brain activity, leading to sleep deprivation effects. Effects such as euphoria can be a positive experience, but some chronic medicinal marijuana users may experience a dulled sense of time and space; causing tardiness and other unsavory social effects. Colorado medical marijuana has a plethora of positive uses and medical benefits. In contrast, it is not without side effect and consequence. A potential medicinal cannabis patient should weigh the risk with a qualified physician when choosing the proper treatment.

Much debate has unfolded surrounding medical marijuana in Colorado. Many question the legitimacy of the industry, yet medicinal cannabis can give relief to a wide variety of patients and ailments. To begin, Colorado medical marijuana has shown to be an affective pain reliever. Medicinal marijuana patients have used the product to dull pain from headaches to muscle spasms. Many cancer patients also use medical cannabis to help with the burning pain of Chemotherapy as well as helping create appetite. Medicinal marijuana has also shown to have anti depressive traits as well. Many patients who have sought medical marijuana in Colorado due to pain have also discovered it helps with the depression often coinciding with pain. Colorado cannabis can be beneficial to so many potential patients, from pain relief to anti depression. In time, the industry hopes to have the opportunity to provide the medical benefit to all those in need.

As a patient of medical cannabis, many wonder what the best methodology to acquire product is. Colorado medical marijuana caregivers and dispensaries both have benefit; it is just a matter of deciding what is best for the individual. Commonly, a medical marijuana dispensary is thought of as a “convenience store”; a good place to find variety (edibles, hardware), but will be slightly more expensive due to the retail nature of the store. Caregivers, on the other hand, can be thought of as a “bulk store”; less variety, but larger amounts can be purchased for a little less money. One should not think of the two as competing or dueling entities, rather different methods to provide proper service to the patient.