Colorado Medical Marijuana Blog

Many Colorado medical marijuana patients are finding access to the drug is being hindered by clashing state and federal laws. While the state of Colorado has made medical marijuana legal, federal laws still rule the substance illegal, and the conflicting viewpoints are affecting dispensaries to a large degree. One example is CannaMart, who applied for a business license in Centennial, Colorado to serve as a dispensary for medical marijuana. Although a business license was granted, it was revoked within a month. City officials claimed the owners were not honest on their applications and did not state they were a medical marijuana dispensary. City officials also claimed the business went against federal regulations. The owners and several patients who elide on the dispensary are filing a lawsuit against the City of Centennial in order to get the dispensary’s license reinstated. Centennial is not the first city to ban dispensaries. Earlier this month the City of Castle Rock, Colorado also banned medical marijuana dispensaries. While cities are trying to keep marijuana from becoming easily accessible to everyone, patients who rely on the drug to control medical conditions are finding it harder and harder to gain access to the drug and the relief it offers them.

The biggest barrier to gaining access to the Colorado medical marijuana registry is most likely to be cost. Because there are no general funds allotted to the program, users are required to pay around $100 in fees to be a registered user. Also, all applications, renewals and requests for change must be submitted as a hard papery copy via mail, with changes made in blue ink and must include a copy of the patient’s Colorado identification.

Not all applications will be accepted, however. Recently, four applications were denied due to lack of scientific evidence that medical marijuana usage provided any beneficial effect. Among those rejected were cases of Parkinson’s Disease, Asthma, Anxiety and Bi-Polar Disorder. Although acceptance is carefully screened, Colorado has currently used over 6,700 registry ID cards. The renewal rate is 56 percent.