Colorado-Medical-Marijuana-Blog

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.

Owners of medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado are finding it harder and harder to keep their businesses going and profitable as the state continues to pass stricter rules and regulations for business operation. Recently, the state made it mandatory for dispensary owners to have video surveillance cameras on 24/7 over their sales counter to record each and every transaction as well as a requirement that each store grow at least 70 percent of its marijuana itself. Dispensary owners feel that they are under too much scrutiny and that there is a lack of privacy which will result in patients simply going back underground to buy their product.

Many users of medical marijuana in Colorado have had a growing concern regarding their personal information becoming public through state-maintained databases. This concern grew with the passing of legislation in 2010 assigning regulatory authority of medical marijuana centers, Infused Product Manufacturers and growers to the Colorado Department of Revenue. This legislation required the Colorado Department of Public Health to share limited, non personally identifying information to the DOR in order to verify the number of patients a marijuana center is serving as a provider. There is currently no such database which allows the two agencies to share information. Should this database be created, it will be intended for law officials to have access to verify whether individuals have a valid ID card. However, they can only access the system using information provided by the patient directly and no names or personal information will be shared.

Anyone who still thinks medical marijuana in Colorado is a sign of social degradation may want to rethink their stance. It has been argued by cannabis supporters that the industry could very well provide tax funds that would benefit the economy. Governor Bill Ritter has proposed a fund raid that will use $9 million in funds collected by card holder fees to support school funds; salaries, supplies, etc. Although this fund was initially intended to fund crime prevention of medicinal marijuana, it seems as though a surplus of funds created by card holder fees has provided this opportunity (according to the governor’s office). Seems a bit fitting that the industry so many have deemed as evil and morally reprehensible will supply funds to keeps schools on budget. Surely, there will be a backlash from opponents of medical cannabis as this money was originally intended for crime prevention. However, according to the governor’s office, this money is a surplus of revenue leaving the original fund with over $1 million with hundreds of fees still collected every day. Thank you, medicinal marijuana, for keeping our state schools and teachers properly funded.

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.

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.