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.

Some advocates against medical marijuana use in Colorado claim fully legalizing the substance will just encourage chronic users to come out of the woodwork, which would lead to larger crimes. Others, however, feel that full legalization will mean providing greater benefits to those with life-threatening illnesses who are currently hamstringed by state and federal rules and regulations. A lawyer in Longmont, Colorado recently found herself supporting legalization upon discovering she had contracted a deadly, aggressive form of breast cancer. Using medical marijuana was the difference between living and dying as it enabled her to eat and not vomit during the grueling 18 month round of chemotherapy treatments. To this lawyer, advocating and supporting full legalization may enable others in similar predicaments better access to the life saving treatment they might require.

Tougher rules and restrictions regarding Colorado medical marijuana patients have now become directed at doctors in Colorado and which in particular, which doctors should be allowed to recommend medical marijuana to patients. The Colorado Board of Health is aiming to make it clearer on how well doctors know their patients before recommending marijuana treatment and also question whether doctors with conditions on their licenses such as a surgeon being banned from surgery due to the development of arthritis should be allowed to recommend marijuana to their patients. These regulations are aimed at discouraging marijuana mills in which doctors recommend marijuana to new patients after only a brief visit. Approximately 1,300 people who applied for medical marijuana cards this last year were denied by the state due to their recommendations coming from doctors with license conditions.

Medical marijuana patients in Colorado will have a new festival to attend this year as Colorado becomes the host of the World Cannabis Convention in May 2011. According to Kush Magazine editor, Michael Lerner, the World Cannabis Convention will be responsible for bringing millions of dollars of revenue to the state. Medical marijuana advocates from around the world are expected to attend the convention. Hundreds of booths will be set up and there is expected to be thousands of giveaways. Live concerts and a Hot Kush Girl contest will be hosted by ROOR. The resting lounge will include food, full bar and massage chairs. Guest speakers will include grow experts, industry leaders, advocates, attorneys and more. Organization leaders are expecting the World Cannabis Convention to experience a record turnout.

Currently, much of the debate surrounding medicinal marijuana in Colorado pertains to the questionable motive of the industry; is it really about medical purposes or is it about pure legalization? Recent occurrences such as the 420 rally in Boulder and The Denver Cannabis Cup have created a larger rift among an already polarized public. Many skeptics view such rallies as an excuse for “non medical users” to take advantage of the current legal atmosphere and use it as an excuse to get high and blow smoke in the face of the public. According to many marijuana message boards and blog sites, this perception is shared among opponents and advocates alike; a sure sign that blatant celebration may not work in favor of legal cannabis in Colorado. Soon, card holders are planning an invite only bong-a-thon smoking completion. As entertaining as this may sound, it is certainly raising eyebrows around the industry. A gluttony competition seems a little flamboyant and certainly raises questions about the motives of the industry as a whole. Truth be told, legalization might very well be the best scenario for cannabis as it could help the economy, create jobs, create tax revenue, et cetera. Organizing gluttony events and arrogantly showcasing marijuana to the public could be counterproductive as legalization will require an accepting voting population.    

One popular bonus to modern cannabis genetics is the addition of exotic flavors and smells. A new flavor that has gained popularity (at least online) is bubblegum Kush; containing a sweet, bubblegum like aroma matched with sweet flavor and finished with small red and pink hairs. Kush is a term used to describe a strain with high indica properties – originally procured from the India Kush mountain region. Many connoisseurs claim that flavors are becoming just as important as potency. Other popular flavors include blueberry and pineapple. Another interesting and popular flavor is diesel; yes, it has an aroma similar to diesel fuel, matched with heavy indica properties. Colorado cannabis is an ever evolving enterprise. Although the industry itself is under much scrutiny, the science of medicinal marijuana in Colorado will constantly innovate and evolve.

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.

When analyzing the growing industry of medicinal cannabis, one must consider its background and genetic makeup. Indica, the strain known for its heavy, numbing effects mentally and physically, was originally bred from Afghani plants. Prior to the introduction of Afghani strains in the 70’s, most strains were sativa plants. Currently, most plants carry both traits, but one must credit the Afghani strain for the introduction of the indica strain. Any connoisseur should be aware that all strains originated in Afghanistan are indica plants; nearly every other strain is sativa. Due to its abundant release of resin, many Afghani plants are use to make hashish and other products using a resin base; candy-like edibles, for example. Colorado medical marijuana is much more than selling and distributing “pot”. The science and genetics used to create strains is a legitimate and fascinating construct of medical marijuana.