Colorado-Medical-Marijuana-Blog

With the laws in Colorado regarding medical marijuana dispensaries changing more often than a traffic light at a busy intersection, dispensary owners are finding themselves in a constant state of stress trying to keep themselves in compliance with regulations. And with those changing laws comes an influx of business owners to state agencies looking to renew licensing and keep in compliance, while agency workers are finding themselves overwhelmed with requests. Many business owners, after waiting nearly six hours in line at the Department of Revenue’s Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, found themselves leaving without a renewal. With so many business owners rushing to comply with state regulations before cutoff dates, the state is finding it difficult to keep up with the demand for renewals. In light of this struggle to keep in compliance, most state officials are being lenient when it comes to those trying to update equipment and renew licenses per the new laws. However, some business owners still remain concerned that with all the strict rules being put in place, it may all be in vain if tighter security keeps customers away.

As state laws become stricter on medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado, outlying cities such as Ft. Collins are finding ways of their own to tighten restrictions on dispensaries and dispensary locations. With the number of dispensaries in Ft. Collins climbing to over 23, officials are working to keep the city from becoming a regional hub for medical marijuana users. Lawmakers voted 5-2 last week to grandfather in medical marijuana businesses already operating in the city or are in the process of getting a license in an effort to avoid the city becoming a growth and distribution hub. One way is to limit licenses to two. Another is to require businesses to adhere to the ordinance requiring a dispensary to keep at least 1,000 feet from schools and 500 feet from colleges, parks and places of worship. By tightening the belt on dispensaries, Ft. Collins lawmakers hope to keep Ft. Collins from becoming a focal point for medical marijuana users in the northern region.

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.

Medical marijuana growers in Colorado Springs were assaulted and robbed this week. The assailants reportedly physically abused the residents, shocked them with a stun gun, and stole their entire crop. Unfortunately, this is the exact type of crime medical marijuana opponents have been waiting for. This will only give new found momentum for restrictions on the industry as a whole. Although this robbery has nothing to do with medical benefit or revenue generation inherent to the Colorado medical marijuana industry, it will certainly raise eyebrows in the community. Increased crime rate is an argument opponents of medical marijuana have been citing since the industry’s inception. Instances such as this will only make that voice louder. One could argue that a convenience store owner is equally subject to the risk of assault and robbery. Although this is true, a crime committed against any medical marijuana dispensary, grower, or clinic will be perceived as new crime brought forth by the Colorado medical marijuana industry.

Most advocates of medical marijuana in Colorado focus on the medicinal benefits of Colorado Cannabis. True as this may be, perhaps this is just the first step for a blooming industry. Obviously, much controversy has surrounded the legitimacy of the newly flourishing industry. Opponents of the product tend to constantly site concepts like morality and social dangers as if medical marijuana in Colorado has already torn the moral fabric of society. It seems, in contrast to this belief, the industry has already provided a beneficial product and a potentially limitless expanding business prospect.  After all, there is a reason why over 300 Colorado medicinal marijuana dispensaries opened their doors in less than a year, thus creating one of the fastest growing and profitable industries in history. Unfortunately, this is both a gift and a curse for the industry: business exponentially expanded in a short time, but that ended up creating more skepticism and fear among the general public. Objectively speaking, legalizing Colorado cannabis would create business opportunities, provide jobs, and would provide literally billions of dollars to state and federal government in sales tax alone. For now, the battle will rage on just to keep the medical industry alive. Perhaps in the near future, fear and skepticism will fade away, allowing the industry thrive as it really should.

It is no mystery that Colorado medicinal marijuana has become an extremely hot issue among both the public and lawmakers alike. Initiatives, bills, and proposals are presented on a nearly daily basis, creating more controversy and dispute among the voting public, advocates, and opponents of medical marijuana in Colorado. Considering all of the hype surrounding the subject, one can’t help but wonder: what will be the end result when all of the laws and disputes are finally settled? Conventional wisdom suggests there are two logical conclusions to the current dilemma. One point of view contends that Denver marijuana should and will become more restricted, forcing the industry into more of a pharmaceutical state whereby the patient will receive a conventional prescription from a doctor and would be required to buy the prescription at either a pharmacy or a privatized medicinal marijuana dispensary. The contrary view suggests the industry should and will be allowed to flourish, thus keeping Colorado medical marijuana available to patients using the current standard. Some contend that without strict regulation, Colorado cannabis may become available to the masses, much like a liquor store; this is, of course, the less likely scenario. Both sides of the argument have legitimate points of contention. What counts is where the industry will be led. No matter what, it will certainly be an intriguing process to behold.

As lawmakers, business owners, and advocates battle over regulation of medicinal marijuana in Colorado, the public view becomes more skeptical. Current and future law notwithstanding, it is really the voting public at large who will decide the ultimate fate of Colorado medical marijuana. Due to all of the buzz and media attention drawn to the subject, it seems the public is beginning to question the integrity of the state of medicinal marijuana in Colorado. One does not have to look far to read message boards or website posts to feel the backlash of the current state of the industry. One of the common views is medical marijuana in Colorado is simply a farce in an effort to open the doors for recreational use. Attitudes such as this will invariably push the industry into a strict regulatory state that very well may completely dismantle the current state of Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries, caregivers, and patients alike. In contrast, proponents argue the legitimate medical benefit and make strong effort to make Colorado cannabis as obtainable as possible. Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries can also provide significant revenue opportunities for owners, growers, and (most importantly) state tax. Benefits of Colorado medical marijuana could very well outweigh the perceived moral dangers of the industry. It is up to advocates to convince an increasing skeptical public.

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.