Colorado Medical Marijuana Blog

The tone surrounding marijuana has clearly become more intense as Bill 1284 gains ground in the State House. In short, the Bill is meant to create more strict requirements for dispensaries, gives cities the right to ban dispensaries and creates stronger tax regulation on the industry. So far, it looks like this Bill will eventually pass. Strict regulation was simply a matter of inevitability. In a true to form rally, the capital city was covered in a cloud of smoke as protesters and speakers gathered to rally against regulation. Therein lies the problem: proponents of the industry are far too flamboyant and confrontational with cannabis; a giant cloud of marijuana smoke lying over the capital city actually causes resistance, fear and resent among the common public. Blowing smoke in the face of the voting public is actually giving strict regulation momentum in the public eye. In a bold statement, the executive director of NORML claimed the industry needs to be fully legalized; thus admitting the medicinal marijuana approach is simply a stepping stone to full legalization. Colorado medical marijuana has been controversial as well as vaguely defined and regulated from its inception. It seems as though strict regulation is on the horizon.

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.

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.

In light of the nation’s economic condition, it is difficult to ignore the opportunities that exist in the field of medical marijuana. In a time where unemployment is at an all time high, it seems a little closed minded to ignore all of the possibilities Colorado medical marijuana could offer. Without giving a preachy lesson in the fundamentals of business and economics, let us look at some of the basic business advantages inherent to medical marijuana and cannabis. On a production level, marijuana growers, cultivators, scientists, and farmers could all find thriving industrial benefit in just the growing of medical marijuana. Now to the consumer level: medical marijuana dispensaries and caregivers already enjoy a thriving industry on the current shaky ground of legality. Imagine the opportunities and businesses that could grow and benefit with less restriction. Medical marijuana in Colorado has already provided patients with a legitimate pain reliever. In addition, cannabis has already become a flourishing industry in spite of the legal climate. One cannot deny the potential economic benefit to Colorado medical marijuana.  

Colorado medical marijuana is becoming an institution in itself. On one side, there is the undying controversy involving moral, ethical, and medical arguments. Another point of view maintains the business opportunity and potential revenue streams in marijuana growth and marijuana dispensaries. One major component remains: none of this would even be possible without a large demographic willing to spend on the product. In an interview with several patients, one theme was prevalent: a medical marijuana product is far more desirable given the flavor and other olfactory properties. One common property highly recommended by the connoisseur is purple hairs within the bud. One patient aptly describes such breeds to have a “light, fruity, purple flavor”. Other breeds, some called “diesel” have distinct heavy, dank, and sappy flavors. The current patient (and thereby consumer) prefers quality breeding subsequent with precise flavor properties above nearly every other property. Consequently, some flavors are more common to certain breeds: sativa plants will be likely to have lighter, fruity flavors, while indica plants may contain heavier flavors. Medical marijuana has already come a long way in a short time. Cannabis quality and flavor will continue to be in the highest interest to both marijuana growers and consumers alike.

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.

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.