Colorado-Medical-Marijuana-Blog

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.

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.