Colorado-Medical-Marijuana-Blog

Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry Shows Continued Growth in 2012

Tue, 22 May 2012 23:38:00 GMT

Although the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry started off in June 2011 posting strong numbers when it came to registered patients, the number of new registered patients began to drop as the year went on. By December, 2011 the registry had posted a nearly 50,000 patient decline. As the New Year began, numbers began to rise again and officials believe it is largely due to the drop in the registry fee from $90 to $35. Since December, approximately 12,800 patients have signed on to the registry. The majority of registry patients are men, at an average age of 42 and inclu8de 46 minors who have their registry card through a parent or guardian. Nearly 55% of all registered Colorado medical marijuana patients have a designated caregiver, which is a 2% drop from February of this year. The Registry also shows that approximately 500 patients were put on a six-month waiting list due to various reasons such as seeing a physician’s assistant instead of a doctor and the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry is expecting an increase in registered patients once that six-month period has been completed.

Colorado Medical Marijuana Sees Turnaround In Patient Numbers

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:37:00 GMT

According to sources last year, the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry was in a severe slump, suffering from a radical drop in the amount of patients applying for a card. As of the end of January 2012, however, this slump seems to have turned around, posting an increase of nearly 3,000 patients. Most of the statistics remained the same though. The average patient age remained at 42, while women accounted for only 32% of the registry patients. The largest number comes from people registering someone else as their caregiver. There are currently at least 10,000 registered caregivers in the state of Colorado. Although the state experienced this rise in patients in January, they are still approximately 43,500 patients below the peak enrollment recorded in June 2011. Many patients have cited privacy concerns when it comes to renewing their cards, stating a dislike for the intrusion of their privacy regarding buying habits and quantities, while others had their applications denied and have been forced to wait six months before reapplying. The CDPHE stated that their primary focus during the next few months will be to process applications within the 35 day window rather than keeping the website updated due to the smaller number of people they currently have in employment.

Medical Marijuana Patients in Colorado Show Decline

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:39:00 GMT

During the last five months of 2011, the state of Colorado showed a significant decline in the number of registered medical marijuana patients. The month of June 2011 posted the highest number of patients at around 128,000 but by the end of the year, that number had fallen to just around 80,000. It was estimated that January 2012’s numbers fell to around 65,000, which can possibly mean that nearly half of all registered medical marijuana patients in Colorado have chose not to renew their cards. One potential reason could be the drop in the application fee in January 2012 from $90 to $35. It is possible many patients were waiting for the price reduction to take place before renewing their cards. However, many patients claim that the entire process has made applying for a card much too difficult. Since having a doctor’s recommendation is enough to make it legal to possess marijuana in the state of Colorado, some patients feel that it is unnecessary to apply for a license and simply renew the doctor’s recommendation periodically. Others find the process of having a medical marijuana card in Colorado much too intrusive and dislike having the quantity of their purchases tracked and having their picture taken. With these thoughts in mind, it questions how long the medical marijuana registry in Colorado will continue to operate.

Growing Medical Marijuana for the New Colorado Patient

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:34:00 GMT

Growing your own marijuana for medical use can be tricky. However, armed with a bit of knowledge, kit is possible to cultivate the state required six plants easily and with very little hassle. The first thing to remember is that marijuana plants require light, water, ventilation, the proper temperature and plenty of nutrients. Being an annual plant, cannabis is generally grown outside and therefore has adapted to seasonal changes and buds and flowers according to these seasonal changes. If the plant is grown indoors, the grower must be certain to use the proper lighting to simulate an outdoor environment. During the vegetation stage, it is recommended to give the plant 18 hours of light followed by six hours of dark. Once the plant has reached the appropriate height, it is then recommended to give the plans 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of dark in order to trick the plants into budding. When budding begins, it is crucial to remove the male plants before they have a chance to pollinate the female plants. Female plants that have been pollinated will not be able to produce the appropriate buds needed. Once a female plant flowers, these flowers will be harvested for later use.

Understanding Medical Marijuana Strains

Tue, 08 May 2012 16:35:00 GMT

For those patients who are new to the medical marijuana arena, getting a better understanding of marijuana strains can be a big help. Basically, there are two types of strains; the cannabis Sativa strains, which tend to present a lighter feeling and the cannabis Indica strains, which tends to offer a heavier, more stoned feeling. Depending on the patient’s medical needs, experimenting with the strains until one is found that will offer relief from symptoms may be the way to go. The Sativa strains tend to be of a taller variety, while the Indica strains are shorter and more compact. Both strains offer a very wide variety of hybrids to choose from and evaluating the various strains can help the patient find the appropriate medical marijuana to cope with their chronic condition. Patients should seek the professional opinion of someone at a medical marijuana dispensary to help them sort through the various strains and hybrids for a better understanding of what is available.

Colorado Marijuana Versus Alcohol Debate Spreads to Local Billboards

Fri, 04 May 2012 21:06:00 GMT

In an effort to make the public more aware of Amendment 64 regarding the initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol has posted a billboard near Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The billboard shows a young woman with a headline underneath stating, ‘For many reasons, I prefer marijuana over alcohol. Does that make me a bad person?’ This billboard has sparked a literal outrage in the community from those who oppose the legalization of marijuana. It is the feeling among this community that advertisements such as these are encouraging young people to choose drugs over alcohol when neither one is a smart choice. The Campaign was quoted in a statement as saying, ‘We are not telling people what to think. We are simply asking them to think. Many opponents in the community believe this billboard is in extremely poor taste and efforts have been made to see that the billboard is removed.

Senate Clears Proposal On Training For Colorado Medical Marijuana

Tue, 01 May 2012 19:11:00 GMT

A recent proposal aimed at allowing people to be trained who work in the medical marijuana business has just cleared the Senate and will now make its way to the House for a second vote. The proposal’s intention is to train employees working in the medical marijuana business in Colorado in state regulations as well as how to spot fake medical marijuana cards. This training would be similar to training that already exists for the alcohol industry. The Senate vote, which was carried out at the end of March, was 24-11 in favor of providing responsible medical marijuana vendors. If the proposal should pass, local medical marijuana dispensaries will be allowed to designate their own trained employees and in exchange, could be given a break if for some reason they were to run afoul of state regulations.

State And Federal Offices Clashing On Colorado Medical Marijuana Law

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:13:00 GMT

Conflicts between state and federal offices have been spurred on by the recent distribution of letters from the U.S. Attorney’s office to medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado demanding that all dispensaries closer than 1,000 feet of school properties must be closed within 45 days or face prosecution. Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett has sent the U.S. District Attorney John Walsh a letter this month urging him to back away from enforcement issues against Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries, although the specific reasoning for the letter was not disclosed. Walsh responded by stating that enforcing federal laws to protect children from drug abuse is a core responsibility for his office and will remain so, as enforcing federal laws against selling marijuana near schools is a legitimate use of his office’s resources. Although Colorado law allows limited usage of marijuana for various medical reasons, marijuana is still considered an illegal drug under federal laws.

California To Follow Colorado Example When It Comes To Medical Marijuana Registration

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:02:00 GMT

When it comes to sheer size, California beats out most other states, especially with regard to population. And yet, when it comes to recorded medical marijuana users, California has shown fewer patients than Colorado, Arizona, Hawaii, Michigan and Montana. Up until now, California has not required residents to register as medical marijuana patients. This has made it nearly impossible for law officials to determine when a person is cleared for marijuana use for medical reasons or just purchasing the drug off the street. Keeping this in mind, California is now experiencing a federal crackdown of their own on the medical marijuana industry in general in the state and a Democratic State lawmaker has introduced a legislation which, if passed, will greatly assist authorities in getting a clearer picture of the medical marijuana industry’s consumer base. This bill will require any patient seeking medical marijuana to apply for a county-issued identification card. They will also be required to register with the state. Users will also be required to state whether they plan to grown their own marijuana or purchase it from a 3^rd party and if so, they will be required to name the 3^rd party. By instituting this law, officials are hoping to make it easier for law enforcement agents to determine whether someone is in possession of marijuana illegally or for medical use.

25 More Colorado Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Closed By Feds

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:45:00 GMT

As the rules and regulations regarding medical marijuana in Colorado are tweaked and refined, one very clear detail in Colorado state law stands out. It states that dispensaries in the state are not allowed to be located less than 1,000 feet from any school in the state. However, some shops have been allowed to remain open if local governments allow the shops to be closer to school buildings. As the federal government takes a closer look at these regulations, things are beginning to change. As part of an overall crackdown on drugs, the federal government is stepping in and tightening their grip on medical marijuana laws across the country. John Walsh, A U.S. Attorney located in Colorado, sent word last month to 22 medical marijuana dispensaries in the state to either move or be closed with it was determined they were located too close to school properties. This month, Walsh handed out 25 more warnings to medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado to close because they are located too close to school properties. All dispensaries who received these warnings have been given 45 days to close or they will be faced with federal prosecution.

Medical Marijuana A Crime When On Probation

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:57:00 GMT

According to the Colorado Court of Appeals, the use of medical marijuana by a patient who is on probation for another crime is considered a violation of probation. Although Colorado State law allows users of medical marijuana in Colorado to use the drug for various medical ailments, medical marijuana is still considered a crime according to federal law and the state constitution cannot exempt patients on probation from complying with federal law. Any person caught with any amount of marijuana in their system, regardless of whether it is for medical use or not, can and will still be considered in violation of their probation. Medical marijuana patients in Colorado would be wise to curb any usage if they find themselves on probation in order to prevent further prosecution by the law. Unless and until medical marijuana is accepted by federal law as legal, medical marijuana users will have to exercise caution. Use of any controlled substance – however miniscule, can still lead to impairment, according to law officials who are working to keep drivers safe on the road, and penalties will still apply.

Religion And Medical Marijuana

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:51:00 GMT

One topic that is not commonly covered when discussing medical marijuana in Colorado is religion’s views on the subject. On the religious side, high-ranking members of various church organizations have openly stated their approval of marijuana for medical use, stating that it is considered by the church an act of compassion for those suffering from an otherwise debilitating state. Then there is the other side of the coin. A 25 year-old man in Georgetown, Colorado who was recently found guilty of marijuana possession claimed that his religious beliefs necessitated the use of cannabis and that the plant was not only sacred, but used as a botanical messiah in his communication with God. While law officials believe that the Georgetown man was sincere in his beliefs, the issue of possession without a medical marijuana card, as well as driving under the influence of the drug took precedence and the man was sentenced to 30 hours of community service and a find of several hundred dollars.

Are Medical Marijuana Drivers a Road Hazard?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:16:00 GMT

Recently, a question has begun to arise among law officials and lawmakers in Colorado who work with medical marijuana laws in the state. Is a driver who is under the influence of medical marijuana a hazard on the road? The answer seems to be yes. New regulations have begun to present themselves in the form of large billboards seen along most major roadways such as Santa Fe Drive stating that anyone caught driving while under the influence of drugs – whether medically recommended or not, will be charged the same and prosecuted. Currently, a state Department of Public Safety group working with the issue is considering whether to re-introduce a bill limiting the amount of THC, the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana, a driver may have in their system when on the road. Earlier this year, when 2,600 blood samples were tested from drivers who had marijuana in their system, over 500 came back over the limit of 5 nanograms per milliliter, which is over the current per se limit. While most law officials agree that some sort of limit is needed, it has yet to be decided just what that limit should be.

Arrested Couple Claim Marijuana Growth Stash is for Medical Use

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:28:00 GMT

When a couple in Larimer County was arrested last week for having $385,000 worth of marijuana plants in their house, they claimed they had a right to grow it for medical marijuana use. The 220 plants, along with numerous bags of packaged marijuana, drug paraphernalia, hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana growing materials and numerous firearms are confiscated from the couple’s home. Current medical marijuana laws dictate that a person with a state- issued medical marijuana card is legally able to grow up to six plants, and some believe that with the growing popularity of medical marijuana and medical marijuana dispensaries around the state, it is giving people an excuse to use and grow marijuana for personal use and hide under the cover of local and state laws. Until absolute, defined boundaries can be set in place, local law officials will have their hands full trying to keep the growing of marijuana limited only to those who actually use it for medical reasons.

Medical Marijuana in Colorado Becoming a Stinky Issue

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:26:00 GMT

A common complaint by those opposed to medical marijuana in Colorado is perhaps the smell of marijuana in general. Most dispensary owners are aware of this problem and are instructed by law to provide a clear ventilation system that will filter out all smells of product cultivation outside of the establishment. However, what about outside the establishment? While Colorado law permits patients to use medical marijuana for a variety of physical ailments, it cannot thoroughly stop patients from using the product in public. There will always be festivals, gatherings, sit-ins and general get-togethers where those who simply want to smoke will do so regardless of others around them. This issue falls under the same area as cigarette smokers. While there will always be those who believe it is their right to enjoy their product regardless of where they are, there will also always be those who believe it infringes on their right to clear air to breathe, untainted by the smell of either marijuana or cigarette smoke.