Colorado Medical Marijuana Blog

The Department of Veteran affairs has officially approved use of medical marijuana for enhancing pain medication. This is in contrast to previous law that stated veterans could be denied prescription pain medication if they tested positive for illegal drugs. This law will only apply in cannabis legal states, of course. Many statistics show that medical marijuana usage is very popular among veterans and “baby boomers”. This new verbiage comes as a comfort to many veterans who prefer marijuana over pharmaceutical drugs. In contrast, and true to form, this law does not allow VA doctors to prescribe medical marijuana as it is still illegal under federal law. In essence, the new verbiage simply allows veterans to use medicinal marijuana in Colorado without fear of losing other VA benefits. Just one more small example of modern social acceptance of cannabis.

Now that restrictive Bills are in place, advocates for Colorado cannabis are staging for the next repercussive move. Marijuana advocates are expected to specifically push for statewide legalization of the production, sale, and possession of marijuana. Representatives of NORML expect to have a Bill ready for public vote in place for the 2012 election. As many have foreseen, the language of the Bill should be expected to mirror alcohol laws and restriction. Since Amendment 20 passed, the battle for legalization of marijuana in Colorado ensued. To be frank, medicinal marijuana was always intended to open the door for pure legalization; it is just coming to the precipice. One thing is certain: the battle over cannabis has just begun and the upcoming battle will be intriguing to say the least.

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.

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.

Colorado medical marijuana growers and dispensary owners will be facing a long moratorium in La Plata County, which includes Durango. The moratorium places a six month wait period to develop land for medicinal marijuana dispensaries and cannabis cultivating houses. City and county officials claim the moratorium will help slow the process as restrictions and laws become solidified. Other counties, such as Weld, have either considered or passed similar moratoriums. It should be expected to see more moratoriums in the near future to slow the blooming industry. Fact is the industry has grown faster than the regulations meant to control the process. Right now, lines are still unclear between what is socially and legally acceptable for the medical marijuana industry.

Regardless of public or personal opinion, regulation of medicinal marijuana in Colorado is simply a matter if inevitability. What is crucial, however, is how much the regulations hinder perspective growth of the industry. Recently, the City Council passed an ordinance to require licensing for Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries. This is a logical step in the progression of Colorado marijuana regulation, but the requirements to attain a license could become a major point of contention. Right now, the Colorado medicinal marijuana dispensary owner will be required to pass a background check and pay fees totaling about $5000 (including annual fees). As time goes on, however, restrictions could become tighter and more subjective. For example, the Massey-Romer bill would allow the licensing board to establish a potential owner’s “moral character” and deny a license based on that subjective opinion. Regulations, ordinances, and perspective bills are changing on nearly a daily basis. Once again, it will be up to the public to decide on the fate of Colorado medical marijuana as a myriad of bills will surely be presented to the voting public.

Predictably, a new bill was unveiled this week that would drastically change how Colorado medicinal marijuana dispensaries can do business. In short, the bill will require dispensaries to operate as nonprofit care centers while privately growing their own supply of cannabis. Obviously, this would reduce incentive for new dispensaries to open. Furthermore, it could drastically change the caregiver system currently in place while circumventing the free market strategy presently employed by Colorado medicinal marijuana dispensaries. Advocates for medicinal marijuana in Colorado are countering with a new ballot initiative that would require stricter licensing and security systems for all Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries. Obviously, there will be more bills and initiatives on the horizon as attitudes towards Colorado cannabis become more polarized. While opponents of medicinal marijuana in Colorado push for harsher restriction, advocates and business owners will be challenged to find initiatives that will please the public while still maintaining financial enterprise.