http://www.420magazine.com/forums/ Amendment 20 en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:54:47 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.420magazine.com/forums/images_greenish/misc/rss.jpg http://www.420magazine.com/forums/ http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/106575-avg-accepted-mmj-card.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:14:13 GMT Does anyone know the chances you have of walking out of the Doctors with MMJ Card due to Severe Pain? Does anyone know the chances you have of walking out of the Doctors with MMJ Card due to Severe Pain? ]]> Colorado MMJ JesusSmokesUp http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/106575-avg-accepted-mmj-card.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/106403-dacono-meds-new-mmj-dispensary.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:52:21 GMT Dacono Meds is a new MMJ Dispensary/Caregiver. We are located in Dacono, CO (near Ft Lupton & Firestone). Our Dispensary is handicapped accessible & we have free parking.

Dacono Meds
730 Glen Creighton Dr.
Dacono CO 80514
303-833-2321
Northern Colorado Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Appiontments Preferred: Walk-ins Welcome

Doctor Referrals With Supporting Documents
Meds starting at $35 for an 8th- Purple Kush-Outdoor.
NYC Sour Diesel $55 for an 8th-Indoor
All Grown In Colorado
Limited Clones (Please Call First) ]]> Colorado MMJ DaconoMeds http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/106403-dacono-meds-new-mmj-dispensary.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/106225-cannabis-therapy-institute-statement-sen-romers-proposed-bill.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:23:35 GMT Cannabis Therapy Institute Statement on Sen. Romer's Proposed Bill

Caregiver Limits and "Pain Panels" Unconstitutional; Large-Scale Production Should Be Encouraged

The first details of state Sen. Chris Romer's (D-Denver) proposed medical marijuana bill were reported by Erica Meltzer in the Boulder Daily Camera on Nov. 15. http://www.420magazine.com/forums/in...-patients.html


The bill would require medical cannabis caregivers to:
- Obtain a license from the state if they have two or more patients
- Develop health care plans for their patients
- Offer more services than selling marijuana to patients
- Pass criminal background checks

The bill would also:
- Require an additional medical review board to look at all applicants from patients who are under 25 years old.
- Create a licensing system for large-scale medical cannabis production

While we have not seen Sen. Romer's bill in writing, we are disturbed by his quoted intentions to put half of all medical cannabis caregivers in Colorado out of business. We need more caregiving facilities in Colorado to keep up with demand for this safe, effective medicine, not fewer.

Here are the Cannabis Therapy Institute's comments on the bill's provisions:

***No: Caregiver Limits The Cannabis Therapy Institute believes that any limits on patients' safe access to their medicine are unconstitutional. The Constitution defines caregiver as a person "eighteen years of age or older" who has "significant responsibility for managing the well-being of a patient who has a debilitating medical condition." The Constitution puts no limits on the number of caregivers the patient can help, nor does it require them to register with the state or to develop health plans or to pass background checks. The complexity and difficulty of providing a patient with medical cannabis clearly constitutes significant responsibility in and of itself, as the state Board of Health agreed on July 20. A Court of Appeals decision that state a caregiver had to "do more" than provide medical marijuana erroneously relied on interpretations of California law that have no bearing on Colorado's constitutional amendment. Any attempt to limit this definition will certainly get overturned in court, so it is a waste of taxpayer money to try to pursue such unconstitutional requirements.

***No: Pain Panels The Cannabis Therapy Institute also opposes the creation of a medical review board that would be allowed to override the recommendation of a physician that a patient might benefit from the medical use of cannabis. The physician/patient relationship is sacrosanct, and the state has no right or authority to deny a patient's Constitutional right to use cannabis as medicine if their physician recommends it, regardless of the patient's age. The state should not come between a patient and his physician with the equivalent of a "Pain Panel" that gets to determine whether or not a qualified patient is in "true" pain. The idea that Sen. Romer wants the government to be able to override a physician's advice to his patient is ludicrous, discriminatory, and reeks of totalitarian rule.

***Yes: Large-Scale Production We do agree with Sen. Romer that the state should license large-scale cultivation operations. Large-scale production would have several benefits. First, the price of cannabis would decrease. Criminal elements would then be less interested in it, and security would become less of an issue.

Large-scale production would also make available the larger quantities necessary to manufacture medicines from cannabis oils, like the Rick Simpson oil featured in the documentary "Run from the Cure".
http://www.420magazine.com/forums/me...rts-1-7-a.html

When members of the CTI met with Sen. Romer on Oct. 26, he said that a lot of entities in state government are looking at medical marijuana revenue as their "cash cow". Instead of trying to over-regulate and tax caregiving businesses, we suggest that the Senator look one step higher up the supply chain. Everyone knows that the real money in this industry is for the growers.

The state should enact a licensing scheme for the state to contract with farmers and growers to produce cannabis as a medicine crop on a larger scale. Our estimates show that a farmer could make at least $15 million per acre at current prices (5,000 plants per acre at 1 pound per plant at $3000/pound). Even if the influx of product on the market caused the price to drop in half, $7.5 million/acre is still quite lucrative. Money enough for everyone that wants it, and the criminals go broke because the price will plummet, making a criminal enterprise in cannabis unprofitable. The state shouldn't look at the small caregiving businesses as their "cash cow". Don't over-regulate them. Let them flourish because they create new jobs. Small businesses will be the basis for our economic recovery. Don't tax and zone them out of existence. Instead, become one of their suppliers and move one step up the supply chain to increase state revenue through licensing of large-scale production

In 1915, the USDA was encouraging farmers to grown cannabis as medicine: http://www.420magazine.com/forums/me...ne-1915-a.html

In 2010, we need to make sure our farmers have a fair chance at competition in this growing Colorado industry.

*Senator's Proposed Bill Endangers Patients* In our meetings with Senators Romer and Steadman, we discussed the urgent need for a Patient Bill of Rights to protect patients who are losing their jobs, families and housing due to their choice of medicine. We discussed the discrimination patients are facing in schools and their local governments. We also promoted the need for strengthening the immunity and affirmative defense protections to lessen patients' and caregivers' fears of arrest. We pointed out the need for police training on compassionate medical marijuana law enforcement. None of these patient-protection measures were mentioned by Sen. Romer.

If Senator Romer intends to destroy the access of Colorado patients to
*half* of their caregivers, this will harm patients. We cannot support this law enforcement model to medicine.

---

It is crucial, at this birth of the medical cannabis "farm"aceutical industry in Colorado, that small caregiving businesses be allowed to grow and innovate and expand without government interference. Most new industries will put themselves itself into equilibrium in a year or two. Over-regulation by the government is the last thing the state should be doing right now. Let the patient market forces decide which business models work FOR PATIENTS. Let self-regulation of caregivers have a chance to decide what works best FOR PATIENTS. Let the caregiving businesses establish themselves FOR PATIENTS before the government decides the businesses need to be outlawed.

Remember, there have been no identifiable problems. The alleged increases in crime are not based on published data. Once the price goes down, the alleged Mexican drug cartels will no longer be interested anyway. There have never been any deaths in over 10,000 years of constant human use. The CU students that smoke pot don't have any trouble finding it *even without a license* now or ever!!! The only thing that has been offended is some people's sensibilities because they saw a neon cannabis leaf on Broadway.

The Culture Shock of the black market in cannabis medicine coming out of the closet so quickly in Colorado is surely jolting to a lot of people. It will be a story to tell your grandchildren, who when they grow up won't even be able to imagine that our government once prosecuted people for using harmless cannabis as medicine. You are witnessing the birth of freedom: the freedom of patients and caregivers to engage freely in their choice of medicine, who for years bought their medicine in back alleys and risked prosecution and jail just to stay alive.

It may look like "freedom run wild" for the time being, but things will settle down naturally soon. The cannabis community is unparalleled in its ethics and commitment to support patients and improve the lives of patients and their families. Our medicine-makers, our cultivators, our therapists, our attorneys, our caregivers and our advocates all speak with one voice when we speak FOR PATIENTS. No barrier can be put between the relationship of a patient and his caregiver or a patient and his doctor. We are fortunate enough in Colorado to have that principle engraved in the Constitution, and organizations like the Cannabis Therapy Institute will defend those principles without concession.

We hope that the public now sees in a very concrete fashion that there is no harm in medical cannabis use for adults. The only harm has always been caused by prohibition. We must all remain vigilant about our children and the mixed messages that all the recent positive medical cannabis news sends in the face of the DARE Program lies about "marijuana". Parents need to educate themselves, so that they may educate their children on the truth. The Cannabis Therapy Institute will continue to provide programs and materials to help educate parents.

We must remember our sick and dying sisters, cousins, aunts and fathers that need cannabis as medicine to survive. This is about them, not someone whose sensibilities have been offended by a pot leaf. Aside from licensing large-scale production, it does not look like Senator Romer's bill will actually improve anything for patient rights. We hope that he will reconsider this issue. We urge all patients, caregivers, advocates, family and friends to send Sen. Romer your comments on his proposal: sen.romer@gmail.com. Make sure you cc us: info@cannabistherapyinstitute.com ]]> Colorado MMJ User http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/106225-cannabis-therapy-institute-statement-sen-romers-proposed-bill.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105968-dispensary-review-mile-highs-lows-altermeds.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:03:27 GMT As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all straight, Westword will be offering a no-holds-barred look at what goes on behind these unusual operations' locked doors in "Mile Highs and Lows," a regular online review of dispensaries around the metro area and beyond.

Our take: November is a favorite time of mine. The leaves have nearly all fallen, the trees' bare branches stretch wise and sinewy against the sky, Colorado is cast in sublime golden hues. The scent is earthy, somehow both warm and brisk, the sun a cool bluish-yellow meekly shining through thin silver clouds that blanket the tepid late morning.

The perfect time to step outside and enjoy a nice, leisurely wake-and-bake. Too bad I'm all out. The day promising to be lovely, I decide to rectify the situation and head on over to AlterMeds, a dispensary I've been meaning to check out, tucked away in the best place to live in Louisville.

I check in at the secure front desk, handing over my paperwork and ID before being welcomed in through the locked door. The small space seems to offer all the comfort of a doctor's waiting room, if a little less ritzy. The green folding card-table that serves as a desk is no-frills, to say the least. But earthy yellow paint tones and a serene Buddha water fountain are pleasant enough to give the sparse waiting area an aura of legitimacy. Like, "Yeah. We dispense marijuana. So what?" And while the big guy with tats up on leg sitting behind the counter is more piercing shop than medical receptionist, the free samples of different cannabis tinctures add a touch of friendly charm to the transaction, and serve as a nice conversation-starter.

The day I visit it happens to be "Doctor Day," and paperwork is mounting in orderly semi-circles spread out on the floor, to be processed before the scheduled influx of patients seeking licenses to relieve their various ills. It's lunchtime, and a steady stream of customers is already wandering in from the strip-mall parking lot.

The shop has an over-stocked bodega feel to it, which means there's really not much to it. It is basic and clean and could probably use something to cozy it up a bit, especially as the winter sets in. Perhaps some music would do the trick.

Being a Pisces, I tend to be distracted by shiny objects; the beautiful pipes on display draw me in like fish to a dragonfly. Next, I linger by the delicious-looking edibles and cool-looking vaporizers -- a bit like psychedelic-colored medical equipment. Finally, I'm tempted to indulge in an untried variety of ganja, as they have a large selection under a long glass counter (head-shop style) showcasing tall candy jars full of various pungent buds, some I have never tried before. But an old, familiar friend is staring me down, waiting for me to notice. I make my purchase -- experimentation will have to wait -- and head back to my abode with a huge, smirking smile.

When I get home I clean my pipe, because I know this is going to taste very good. I pack it up, spark it, and let the Diesel sink to the bottom of my lungs. Good stuff.

In some ways, AlterMeds is a lot like the Diesel itself -- reliable, high quality and easy to enjoy. The staff's warm personalities and the fine herb under the glass make this a good place to explore new varieties. The movie theater next door could almost make this stop a date-night destination. But this morning, I'm all about puffing in the November sunshine. A couple of hits and I'm feeling thankful already.


AlterMeds
1156 W. Dillon Rd. Unit 3
Louisville, CO 80027
Welcome to AlterMeds - AlterMeds - Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Louisville, CO
AlterMeds (AlterMedsLLC) on Twitter
720.389.6313

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11-7; Sunday 12-5
Handicap Accessible: Yes
On Site Doctor: One "Doctor Day" per week
Price Range: Between $40 and 60 per eighth
Other: No smoking on premises


News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: WestWord
Author: Mae Coleman
Contact: WestWord
Copyright: 2009 Village Voice Media
Website: Mile Highs and Lows: AlterMeds ]]> Colorado MMJ Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105968-dispensary-review-mile-highs-lows-altermeds.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105836-no-medical-records-can-i-still-get-legal.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:50:19 GMT I have migraines that respond well to marijuana. I don't have any medical documentation. Can I still get a recommendation from a mmj doctor? I notice the THCF site requires medical records, does every mmj doctor require this? I really don't want to go to my PCP to complain about migranes, and I certainly don't want that in my medical chart that I use mj or got a script from my doctor for a traditional med. I've found out disclosing too much to my doctor results in higher life insurance rates. Any suggestions are appreciated. ]]> Colorado MMJ colo420 http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105836-no-medical-records-can-i-still-get-legal.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105809-sensible-colorado-safer-mpp-thanksgiving-celebration.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:43:17 GMT Please join Sensible Colorado, SAFER, and the Marijuana Policy Project on Monday, Nov. 16th, for a Thanksgiving Celebration to commemorate how far marijuana policy reform has come in Colorado, and to find out where it is headed as we move forward into the new year. This event is FREE and open... Please join Sensible Colorado, SAFER, and the Marijuana Policy Project on Monday, Nov. 16th, for a Thanksgiving Celebration to commemorate how far marijuana policy reform has come in Colorado, and to find out where it is headed as we move forward into the new year.

This event is FREE and open to the public!

Our featured guest speaker will be Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), , a leading marijuana policy reform organization based in Washington, DC. Rob will discuss the direction medical marijuana and broader marijuana policy reform efforts are headed at the national level.


This free event will be held at the Gilmore Art Center, an art gallery in the Mile High Framing building at 2119 Curtis St. in Denver. Light food and drinks will be served, and recommended attire is casual to business-casual.

When: Nov 16, 2009

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Gilmore Art Center @ Mile High Framing (2119 Curtis St., Denver, 80205.)

Although this event is FREE, we hope you will consider bringing your checkbook and making an end-of-the-year donation. All proceeds will benefit Sensible Colorado's and SAFER's work to defend the progress that's already been made in Colorado and take reform in this state to the next level. ]]> Colorado MMJ User http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105809-sensible-colorado-safer-mpp-thanksgiving-celebration.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105749-denver-district-court-pot-hearing.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:59:42 GMT A Denver judge is hearing arguments that the CDPHE repeal of the caregiver definition was rash and should be voided. Follow the developments here:

Live blogging the Denver District Court pot hearing

I'll quote what's happened so far as the Judge seems to be sided with the attorney of MMJ patients and caregivers that the removal of the caregiver definition was not necessary. Good vibes!

-----------------------------------
9:55 a.m.: The cameras are clicking as the Judge hammers home the question why the Board of Health would change rules without considering the impacts of patients on the medical marijuana registry. Sounds like he'll be earning a few fans in the medical marijuana community today.

"You took it up in July, and now you throw it out the window and say they can't get the medicine to let them live the healthiest life they can have. Let them wait until December," says the judge. The Board of Health is set to consider new marijuana caregiver rules on December 16.

Holton notes that yesterday, the marijuana registry received more than 1,000 pieces of mail. Even though that included the marijuana applications received over the weekend, that's a lot of letters.

Judge Naves preceeded over the 2007 District Court decision that overturned the Board of Health's attempt to limited caregivers to five patients. He's saying he has the same concerns today he had then -- that the Board of Health did not seek needed public input before making these rules.

9:45 a.m.: Holton is addressing the spotty transcript. She notes the conference call was "extremely difficult." There were only 125 lines allowed in, which quickly filled, and board members couldn't get in. A second line was set up, but those listeners could be heard in the board room. It was "not done adequately," she says. The transcript, she says, is missing a key introductory section in which officials addressed whether or not the new Court of Appeals decision was in conflict with health rules.

Now Naves wants to know why Corry, the lawyer who represented Stacey Clendenin, the woman who triggered the Court of Appeals decision, was not allowed to weigh in at the hearing. "What's the emergency?" Naves asks again. "We all follow Court of Appeals, but it's not even final today. What's the emergency to consider something that's not yet a law?"

"Why do they have to act in one day, and not give notice to the plaintiffs here? What justified having to meet without giving people impacted by the decision ability to comment?"

9:32 a.m.: Judge Naves seems fired up. He's pressing Holton over why the Board of Health was so concerned over a Colorado Court of Appeals decision that did not appear to weigh in on the board's ruling in July to allow caregivers to just provide pot and no other health services. Why did the board overturn its new ruling right after the Court of Appeals decision, then, he wonders, something he's never heard of before. He wants to know where, in the (admittedly spotty) transcript, the board discussed whether or not the Board of Appeals decision was in conflict with the Board of Health's new rule. He jokes maybe he missed it last night while watching the Broncos game.

9:26 a.m.: Anne Holton, for the Attorney General's office, now gets up. She explains that the ruling did not require additional notice or public comment. Several of the applicants' claims, she says, shouldn't be considered today, since they aren't relevant to the case being considered.

Holton notes that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment needs to hold a public meeting to discuss changes to medical marijuana rules when its required by the open meeting and other acts. But this meeting was considered an emergency because of changes to state law by the recent Court of Appeals decision.

Now Judge Naves steps in. He references Corry's argument that the Clendenin decision would not consider the Board of Health July rule change. "After a valid hearing on the rules in July... people appeairng for hours and hours and hours, you came up with rule, then you have an emergency hearing over a ruling that wouldn't even consider the rule. How is that a direct conflict?"

9:20 a.m.: Brian Vicente, of Sensible Colorado, is now speaking for the applicants. He notes that the lack of notice of the Board of Health hearing showed willful violation of the 2007 order that required public feedback to medical marijuana rule changes.

Judge Naves wants to know what notifying four judges isn't enough notice. Corry gets back up and said he could provide hundreds of marijuana patients who weren't notified.

9:15 a.m.: Judge Naves asks about the transcript of the teleconference last week. He wants to know who recorded it and whether it was an official recording. As Westword reported yesterday, the transcript, most of which was indiscernible, reads like Cheech and Chong go to Washington.
Corry responds, "This is what happens when the government moves hastily."

9:10 a.m.: Corry continues. He brings up a "straight-up open meetings act" concern. The open meeting has no exception whatsoever for emergency meetings, he says.

While a few additional people have arrived to watch the proceedings, everyone is subdued. There are no hollers of "Shut up about your fucking mango," like during the Board of Health's teleconference hearing.

9:05 a.m.: Corry begins his argument. He notes that prior legal negotiations agreed to allow public comment to changes in the medical marijuana regulations. He also argues that in the Court of Appeals' Clendenin decision that began the controversy several weeks ago, the judge suggested his ruling was not applicable to the new Board of Health ruling this past July. "There could not have been an emergency" he points out, that would have required the divisive, last-minute meeting last week by the Board of Health.

He adds that under regulations, the board erred by not considering a petition Corry submitted during the hearing last week.

8:54 a.m.: The hearing begins at 8:48 a.m. Rob Corry, lead attorney for the applicants, is late -- which lets Judge Naves to start things off with some fun. When Corry walks in, the judge announces, "...and that's my ruling!" He he he.

8:40 a.m.: The hearing has yet to begin. There are just over a dozen members of the public here. As Brian Vicente, one of lawyers who filed the motion, said yesterday, they didn't send out a call for a massive activist crowd like at other hearings. Maybe this one will be quieter. ]]> Colorado MMJ sac beh http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105749-denver-district-court-pot-hearing.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105567-san-luis-valley-doctor-recommendation.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:47:35 GMT I'm moving to the San Luis valley in southern Colorado and need list of doctors in the valley that will cater to my needs. Can any body recommend me a doctor?

Thanks ]]> Colorado MMJ smokinjimmy http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105567-san-luis-valley-doctor-recommendation.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105367-breckenridge-voters-ok-marijuana-decriminalization.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:38:25 GMT This is great NEWS!!!! Breckenridge is where iam riding this year!!!! :cheer2: :rasta: BRECKENRIDGE — Breckenridge residents voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana and paraphernalia Tuesday under town law. In early returns, some 72... This is great NEWS!!!!

Breckenridge is where iam riding this year!!!!

:cheer2:

:rasta:


BRECKENRIDGE — Breckenridge residents voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana and paraphernalia Tuesday under town law. In early returns, some 72 percent of voters approved the measure.

The vote means that, effective Jan. 1, people 21 and up in Breckenridge will be able to legally possess one ounce or less of the drug.

Possession remains illegal under state law, but Breckenridge Police Chief Rick Holman said his department will “still have the ability to exercise discretion.”

“It's never been something that we've spent a lot of time on, so I don't expect this to be a big change in how we really do business,” he said.

Currently, the petty, non-jailable offense under town code carries a maximum $100 fine. In 2008, Breckenridge Police Department ticketed 10 people under the town marijuana possession law, according to BPD ticket statistics.

For drug paraphernalia — which carries the same penalty — four were ticketed in 2008.

Under the state law, BPD issued three tickets for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana. Holman said that after Jan. 1, issuance of tickets under state law will “vary dependent on the situation.”

“We'll still have tools at our disposal,” he said.

The decriminalization won't change laws prohibiting smoking in public, use by minors or driving under the influence.

In 2006, 72 percent of Breckenridge voters supported the unsuccessful Amendment 44, which had language similar to the town initiative but applied to the entire state.

Arguments for decriminalization included the impact of possession on one's criminal record, which can affect job opportunities and student loans.

In 2005, Denver became the first major city to decriminalize possession of less than an ounce of marijuana after voters approved legislation similar to that in Breckenridge.

And like many other towns in the state, Breckenridge could soon be home to a medical marijuana dispensary. The town passed a set of regulations for such businesses in October, and the dispensaries already exist in Frisco and Silverthorne.

Holman said that while his department may still ticket people for possessing marijuana, people who want to smoke it legally can obtain a state-issued medical marijuana card without much difficulty.

This story will be updated.


link...

Breckenridge voters OK marijuana decriminalization | SummitDaily.com ]]> Colorado MMJ 1stworks http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105367-breckenridge-voters-ok-marijuana-decriminalization.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105302-emergency-state-hold-stealth-meeting-weaken-medical-marijuana-law-nov-3-2009-a.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:39:06 GMT In an underhanded move, the Colorado Board of Health will be voting to weaken the medical marijuana law at an "emergency" meeting on Tuesday, November 3 at 10:30am in Denver. At this stealth meeting the Board will be voting to redefine what a "caregiver" is to require such individuals to provide supplementary-- and often unnecessary-- services beyond simply providing sick patients with medical marijuana.

"This is like requiring my pharmacist to give me a massage or make me a sandwich," said Dan Pope, muscular dystrophy patient and medical card holder. "I can do those activities myself. I need a caregiver to give me medicine. End of story."

This meeting, which was announced in a late afternoon email to a small handful of patient advocates, is another example of the state engaging in underhanded tactics in their effort to undermine the medical marijuana law and the will of the Colorado voters. Please help hold them accountable.

Here's How You Can Help:

(1) Attend the Meeting. This meeting will occur at
10:30am on Tuesday, November 3 in the Snow Room, 1st Floor Building A of the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Dr. South, Denver CO.

(2) Call-in to the Meeting. While we strongly prefer that you attend in person, you can also call-in at 1-866-899-5399, conference code *3529725*

(3) Spread the Word. Please tell friends and family to attend the meeting and forward this alert widely!

Sensible Colorado PO Box 18768 Denver CO 80218 ]]> Colorado MMJ User http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105302-emergency-state-hold-stealth-meeting-weaken-medical-marijuana-law-nov-3-2009-a.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105299-colorado-legislator-education-campaign.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:22:26 GMT It looks like it's going to be a very exciting year with real chances to influence medical marijuana policy in Colorado in a very positive way. Sen. Chris Romer's upcoming medical marijuana bill presents a unique opportunity to educate our elected officials about the many benefits of cannabis as medicine. We are already making plans for our Legislator Education Campaign.

Jason Lauve, medical cannabis patient and activist, has agreed to help lead the education campaign by being a patient emissary and tour guide at the Capitol next year. Since Jason's historic acquittal of marijuana charges this summer, he has been a tireless advocate for patients, despite his severe medical condition and despite the loss of his job. No one can testify to the harm that patients face better than Jason.

Our Legislator Education Campaign will consist of organizing field trips of patients to the Capitol once or twice a week so that they can meet and educate their elected officials. Jason and other CTI activists will meet the patients in the morning, give them a short tour of the Capitol, and help them find their elected representatives. We will supply the patients with educational material that they can give to their legislators, including research articles, brochures, and DVD's. We will coordinate with caregivers around the state to organize delegations from their areas to carpool to the Capitol to meet with their legislators. We will also try to spotlight the many different conditions that cannabis benefits and bring patients with similar conditions together to share their stories.

The CTI Legislator Education Campaign will allow us to put a human face on the issue of medical cannabis, by allowing patients to share their stories directly with their state legislators. The educational effort will also be empowering for the patients by enabling them to directly contribute to the legislative process. Finally, the educational campaign is guaranteed to be a fun social event for patients. Lunch will be provided by the CTI, and the field trips will allow patients to meet other patients that are concerned about protecting their rights.

CTI members have some experience educating legislators at the Capitol. Laura Kriho was a legislative aide to state Senator Lloyd Casey in 1995 and
1996 when he introduced the nation's first industrial hemp bill, and she helped get a Republican sponsor for the bill in 1997 when Sen. Casey retired. Although the hemp bills were killed due to pressure from the DEA, the hemp advocates were complimented by some of the legislators on how professional and informative their educational material and presentations were.

We hope you agree that this grassroots effort will be critical to protecting patients' rights to safe access to their medicine.

This educational campaign needs the financial assistance of our supporters. We have developed several levels of support so that everyone can participate in the effort, including a unique "Adopt-an-Activist" program that will allow your organization to support the CTI's mission on a higher level while at the same time acquiring an excellent PR tool to promote your business.

You can read the benefits of these various programs on our Sponsorship Information page: Cannabis Therapy Institutue - Medical Cannabis (Marijuana) Research, Education and Advocacy in Colorado

Please call or email if you have any questions, comments or feedback.

Thanks for your support,

Laura Kriho Public Relations Coordinator

---
Cannabis Therapy Institute
P. O. Box 19084 Boulder, CO 80308
Phone: (641) 715-3900 ext. 70966#
Web: Cannabis Therapy Institutue - Medical Cannabis (Marijuana) Research, Education and Advocacy in Colorado
Email: info@cannabistherapyinstitute.com ]]> Colorado MMJ User http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105299-colorado-legislator-education-campaign.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105298-policy-group-releases-draft-medical-cannabis-bill.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:19:47 GMT As you know, the Colorado General Assembly is going to take up the issue of Colorado's Medical Marijuana law this legislative session, which begins Jan. 13, 2010. Sen. Chris Romer (D-Denver) will be the bill's main sponsor in the Senate, and Rep. Tom Massey (R-Poncha Springs) is going to be the House sponsor of the bill.

Members of the Cannabis Therapy Institute met with Sen. Chris Romer on Monday (10/26) to discuss the medical marijuana bill. He said he had not drafted anything yet and was just in the information-gathering stage of the process. We provided Sen. Romer with the draft of a bill called the Colorado Medical Cannabis Patient and Caregiver Protection Act. This bill was written by the CTI Medical Cannabis Policy Group and is not an official Colorado state bill. This bill came from ideas in the draft ordinance that we released on Oct. 6, 2009.

Click here to read the draft: Cannabis Therapy Institutue - Medical Cannabis (Marijuana) Research, Education and Advocacy in Colorado

We were excited to be the first organization to provide a concrete example of how Colorado's medical marijuana law could be clarified to better protect caregivers and patients. We thought it was important to take a proactive approach to the upcoming legislative session by drafting our own legislation instead of waiting for the state to do it. We hope that Senator Romer will adopt some of the provisions of our draft bill. He has promised to work with CTI and others during the drafting process. At the time we met him, he said he had not yet met with law enforcement or any other organizations.

We are actively seeking input on this bill from patients, caregivers and advocates. We will be having a public meeting to discuss the upcoming legislative session in the next week or two. Get on our email list if you are not already. Please send your suggestions and comments on the draft bill as soon as possible to policygroup@cannabistherapyinstitute.com.

Please call or email if you have any questions.

Laura Kriho Public Relations Coordinator Cannabis Therapy Institute

---
Cannabis Therapy Institute
P. O. Box 19084 Boulder, CO 80308
Phone: (641) 715-3900 ext. 70966#
Web: Cannabis Therapy Institutue - Medical Cannabis (Marijuana) Research, Education and Advocacy in Colorado
Email: info@cannabistherapyinstitute.com ]]> Colorado MMJ User http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105298-policy-group-releases-draft-medical-cannabis-bill.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105270-co-activist-alert-nov-3-2009-tomorrow.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:25:59 GMT Sensible Colorado Blog Archive EMERGENCY! Notice of Emergency Rulemaking Hearing-State Board of Health-Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. (http://sensiblecolorado.org/emergency-notice-of-emergency-rulemaking-hearing-state-board-of-health-tuesday-november-3-2009-at-1030-am/) Sensible Colorado Blog Archive EMERGENCY! Notice of Emergency Rulemaking Hearing-State Board of Health-Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. ]]> Colorado MMJ aphoric http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/105270-co-activist-alert-nov-3-2009-tomorrow.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/104981-becoming-patient-colorado.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:53:54 GMT I. Introduction

In November of 2000, voters of the state of Colorado passed Amendment 20 to the state's constitution which effectively legalized medicinal marijuana. Since then, the Colorado Board of Health has created a set of rules and regulations relating to medical use of marijuana. These rules create a confidential statewide registry of medical marijuana patients and caregivers with ID cards for all registered patients. Any patient with a valid registry card may legally use marijuana for medicinal purposes and their caregiver, if one should exist, may assist them in doing so.

Under Amendment 20, patients, as well as primary and alternate caregivers, have an affirmative defense to criminal prosecution under the state's marijuana laws. Physicians are also protected against any kind of punishment for advising a patient about medical marijuana or providing a patient with a signed statement allowing them to be included in the state's medical marijuana registry.

Contact Information for inquiries to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:

Medical Marijuana Registry
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
HSVR-ADM2-A1
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530
Phone: (303) 692-2184
Email: medical.marijuana@state.co.us

For general information about medical marijuana law for the State of Colorado, go to: Medical Marijuana in Colorado. See also Colorado Rules and Regulations from 2004.

II. Becoming A Patient

A. How to become a medical marijuana patient in the state of Colorado

Identification card: A patient diagnosed with a debilitating condition that may be alleviated by the medical use of marijuana may apply to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (the Department) for a Medical Marijuana Registry identification card.
Five days after verifying medical information of the applicant the department shall issue a serially numbered registry identification card to the patient. The card shall state the following:
The patient's name, address, date of birth, and social security number;
That the patient's name has been certified to the department as a person with a debilitating medical condition, whereby the person may address such condition with the medical use of marijuana;
The date of issuance of such card and the date of expiration, which shall be one year from the date of issuance;
The name and address of the patient's primary care-giver, if any is designated at the time of application;
How to notify the department of any change in name, address, medical status, physician, or primary care-giver.
How to apply: In order to be placed in the registry and to receive a registry identification card, an adult applicant must reside in Colorado and submit an application form supplied by the Department.
The adult applicant must perform the following, in order to satisfy the application process:
A completed application form with the Physician Certification form or other documentation provided by the physician and the non-refundable $90.00 application fee must be sent to:

Medical Marijuana Registry
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
HSVR-ADM2-A1 4300
Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530
Payment by check or money order must be made payable to CDPHE. Do not send cash.

The Registry will verify the licensure status of the physician and will contact the physician to verify the certification. Verifications will occur within 30 days of receipt of the application. The Registry will mail the patient and his/her primary caregiver (if applicable) Medical Marijuana Registry identification cards within 5 days after the verification.

The patient will be notified within 5 days after the verification process if the application has been denied.

Except for minor applicants, where the department fails within thirty-five days of receipt of application to issue a registry identification card or fails to issue verbal or written notice of denial of such application, the patient's application for such card will be deemed to have been approved. "Receipt" shall be deemed to have occurred upon delivery to the department or deposit in the United States mail.

The Department shall deny the application if it determines that information has been falsified or it cannot verify the medical information. A patient whose application has been denied by the department may not reapply during the six months following the date of denial. The denial of a registry identification card shall be considered a final agency action.
Change in applicant information: When there has been a change in the name, address, physician or primary care-giver of a patient who has been issued a registry identification card, that patient must notify the department within ten days. A patient who has not designated a primary caregiver at the time of application to the department may do so in writing at any time during the effective period of the registry identification card, and the primary care-giver may act in this capacity after such designation.
A patient who no longer has a debilitating medical condition, as defined by the Colorado Medical Marijuana Law, shall return his registry identification card to the department within twenty-four hours of receiving such information by his or her physician.
Penalties: In addition to any other penalties provided by law, the department shall revoke for a period of one year the registry identification card of any patient found to have willfully violated the provisions set forth in the medical marijuana law of Colorado.

B. Registration Fee

Full payment of the non-refundable $90.00 application fee must be made at the time of submitting the application to the Registry. The fee must be paid with the renewal application each year. The fee cannot be waived, and the Registry cannot accept installment payments.

C. Eligible medical conditions

Debilitating medical conditions are defined as:
Cancer;
Glaucoma, and;
Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus;
Patients undergoing treatment for such conditions are defined as having a debilitating medical condition;
A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition other than HIV, cancer or glaucoma; or treatment for such conditions, which produces for a specific patient one or more of the following, and for which, in the professional opinion of the patient's physician, such condition or conditions may reasonably be alleviated by the medical use of marijuana:
Cachexia;
Severe pain;
Severe nausea;
Seizures, including those that are characteristic of epilepsy; or
Persistent muscle spasms, including those that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis.

Patients who have had a diagnosis of a debilitating medical condition in the past but do not have an active disease and are not undergoing treatment for such condition are not considered to be suffering from a debilitating medical condition for which the medical use of marijuana is authorized.

Beginning June 1, 2001, the Department began accepting physician or patient petitions to add debilitating medical conditions to the list provided in this regulation. The Department shall determine if a public rulemaking hearing to modify this regulation is appropriate, and if so, shall petition the Board of Health to set a date for such hearing within 120 days of receipt of the patient or physician petition.

If the Department determines that a public rulemaking hearing is not appropriate, it shall notify the petitioner of its action within 180 days of receipt of submission of the petition. In making its determination, the department will consider whether there is information that the proposed condition is chronic, debilitating, and may be specifically diagnosed, and whether there is scientific evidence that treatment with marijuana may have a beneficial effect. To date, no additional debilitating conditions have been added.

D. Written Certification Must be Provided to Prove Eligibility

The patient must obtain certification from a physician licensed in Colorado that he/she has been diagnosed with a debilitating condition that may be alleviated by the medical use of marijuana.

A sample form is provided with the application packet on the Colorado State website. The certifying physician should keep a copy of the certification and other documentation supporting the diagnosis in the patient medical record.

E. Finding a Doctor

The State of Colorado cannot refer patients to doctors for the purpose of receiving a medical marijuana evaluation. It is the responsibility of the patient to work with a physician with whom s/he has a bona fide doctor-patient relationship.

F. Renewal Applications

To maintain an effective registry identification card, a patient must annually resubmit to the Department, at least thirty days prior to the expiration date, updated written documentation of the required information shown above, and full payment of the non-refundable $90.00 application fee. Additionally, the patient must provide the name and address of the primary care-giver, if any is designated at such time.

G. Age Limits

An "adult applicant" is defined as a patient eighteen years of age or older. A "minor applicant" is defined as a patient less than eighteen years of age. In order for a minor applicant to be placed in the registry and to receive a registry identification card, the minor applicant must reside in Colorado, and a parent residing in Colorado must consent in writing to serve as the minor applicant's primary caregiver. Such parent must submit an application form supplied by the Department.

The parent of the minor applicant must provide the following information with the application:
The applicant's name, address, date of birth, and social security number;
Written documentation from two of the applicant's physicians that the applicant has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition as defined above and each physician's conclusion that the applicant might benefit from the medical use of marijuana;
The name, address, and telephone number of the two physicians who have concluded the applicant might benefit from the medical use of marijuana;
Consent from each of the applicant's parents residing in Colorado that the applicant may engage in the medical use of marijuana; and
Documentation that one of the physicians has explained the possible risks and benefits of medical use of marijuana to the applicant and each of the applicant's parents residing in Colorado.

H. Personal Records

Americans for Safe Access strongly urges all patients to keep copies of all paperwork they have related to their status as a medical marijuana patient as proof of legal status. This is meant to protect patients from possible future encounters with law enforcement agents.

III. Limitations and Protections under the Initiative

A. Possession and Growing Limitations

Amendment 20 authorizes a patient or a primary caregiver who has been issued a Medical Marijuana Registry identification card to possess:
No more than two (2) ounces of a usable form of marijuana; and
Not more than six (6) marijuana plants, with three (3) or fewer being mature, flowering plants that are producing a usable form of marijuana.

B. Consumption of Medical Marijuana

The Colorado Medical Marijuana Law specifically states that patients are not permitted to engage in the medical use of marijuana in a way that endangers the health or well-being of any person. Engaging in the medical use of marijuana in plain view of, or in a place open to the general public is also prohibited. Additionally, using medical marijuana while driving is not permitted.

A patient may engage in the medical use of marijuana, with no more marijuana than is medically necessary to address a debilitating medical condition. A patient's medical use of marijuana, within the above shown limits is lawful. For quantities of marijuana in excess of those amounts, a patient or his or her primary caregiver may raise as an affirmative defense to charges of violation of state law that such greater amounts were medically necessary to address the patient's debilitating medical condition.

In addition to any other penalties provided by law, the state health agency shall revoke for a period of one year the registry identification card of any patient found to have willfully violated any of these provisions.

C. Paraphernalia associated with medical use

"Medical use" means the acquisition, possession, production, use, or transportation of marijuana or paraphernalia related to the administration of such marijuana to address the symptoms or effects of a patient's debilitating medical condition.

D. Access to Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana patients cannot go to a pharmacy to fill a prescription for medical marijuana. Pharmacies can only dispense medications that are prescribed. Unfortunately, medical marijuana is classified by the federal government as a Schedule I drug which means that it cannot be "prescribed" by any health care professional.

Amendment 20 allows doctors to "recommend" marijuana, and that allows patients to grow their own medical marijuana for their private use. The Medical Marijuana Registry is not authorized to provide information on the acquisition of marijuana. Therefore, the State of Colorado cannot assist in getting seeds or plants to start growing medical marijuana.

E. Growing/Dispensing Collectives and Cooperatives

There are numerous questions that have arisen surrounding interpretation of statutory language. The law does not clearly state where marijuana plants may be grown, how many patients one caregiver may care for, or if two or more patients and/or caregivers may share one growing space. Statutory language also places certain burdens upon local and state law enforcement officers, such as the requirement of keeping alive plants that are confiscated until a resolution is reached (i.e. a decision not to prosecute, the dismissal of charges, or an acquittal). However, selling or distributing marijuana remains illegal.

This confusion regarding Colorado's approach to dispensing collectives and cooperatives may leave the door open for their possible establishment. It is up to the medical marijuana patients in Colorado to decide whether or not to pursue this avenue of obtaining medicine. Americans for Safe access strongly recommends that any patients who are interested in forming a dispensing collective or cooperative consult an attorney before doing so.

F. Caregivers

"Primary care-giver" means a person, other than the patient and the patient's physician, who is eighteen years of age or older and has significant responsibility for managing the well-being of a patient who has a debilitating medical condition. If a patient so chooses, they may choose to select one primary caregiver, who may legally grow, posses, and distribute to the patient marijuana as is medically necessary.

There is no restriction to the number of patients which one primary caregiver may serve, as long as the caregiver:
Is 18+ years of age; and
Has significant responsibility managing the well-being of a patient.

To become a primary caregiver, a patient may either:
Name the primary caregiver on their registry application, OR
Inform the state registry in writing of their primary caregiver at any time as long as they have a valid registry card.

The caregiver's name and address will appear on the patient's registry ID.

G. Housing

The Colorado medical marijuana law does not addresses whether or not a qualified patient can be evicted because of their status as a medical marijuana patient, even if that patient has the amount of medical marijuana allowed by law. Therefore, it is up to each patient to decide whether or not to tell his/her landlord about their status as a medical marijuana patient.

Additionally, nothing in Colorado's medical marijuana law specifically addresses whether or not a person can be a registered patient and live in subsidized housing. However, under federal law, HUD has clear regulations prohibiting ANY marijuana use in federally subsidized housing. If a patient has questions about these important issues, Americans for Safe Access recommends that the patient speak to an attorney to learn about their rights and protections.

Colorado medical marijuana law also does not address the issue of whether or not patients who live within 1000 feet of a school, AKA a "drug free zone" can still grow and/or possess medical marijuana.

H. Employment

The Colorado medical marijuana law:
Does not require any employer to accommodate the medical use of marijuana in any work place. It is not specified whether or not this regulation concerning accommodation pertains only to on-the-job medical marijuana use, or more generally, to the employment of any individual who engages in the medical use of marijuana;
Does not discuss the issue of employment-related drug testing.

I. Reciprocity

Colorado Residents: Colorado currently has no reciprocity agreements with other states to honor Colorado's medical marijuana law. This includes even those states that currently have medical marijuana laws of their own.

However, in Montana, medical marijuana patients from other states who are valid medical marijuana patients under that state's law are protected under Section 4(8) of the Montana Medical Marijuana Act [Sec. 50-46-201(8), MCA]. A registry identification card or its equivalent issued by another state government to permit the medical use of marijuana by a qualifying patient or to permit a person to assist with a qualifying patient's medical use of marijuana has the same force and effect as a registry identification card issued by the Department of Public Health and Human Services in Montana. Therefore, medical marijuana patients from Colorado should be protected in Montana under Montana state law. See the Montana Patients Guide for details on the protections and limitations that Montana state law affords medical marijuana patients.

Additionally, in Rhode Island, The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act (MMA) protects patients and primary caregivers from outside Rhode Island who have a state issued medical marijuana ID card, or its equivalent. The MMA states, “A registry identification card, or its equivalent, issued under the laws of another state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia to permit the medical use of marijuana by a qualifying patient, or to permit a person to assist with a qualifying patient's medical use of marijuana, shall have the same force and effect as a registry identification card issued by the department.� Therefore, medical marijuana patients from the other medical marijuana states that have state issued cards should be protected in the state of Rhode Island. See the Rhode Island Patients Guide for more information.

In states with no medical marijuana program, marijuana use, regardless of a doctor's recommendation, is illegal. You may be arrested and charged with civil or criminal offenses in those states.

J. Law Enforcement

Authorized employees of state or local law enforcement agencies shall be granted access to the information contained within the Department's registry only for the purpose of verifying that an individual who has presented a registry identification card to a state or local law enforcement official is lawfully in possession of such card. The Department shall report to authorized state or local law enforcement officials whether a patient's registry identification card has been suspended because the patient no longer has a debilitating medical condition.

Additionally employees of state or local law enforcement agencies are directed to immediately notify the department when any person in possession of a registry identification card has been determined by a court of law to have willfully violated the provisions set forth in the Colorado medical marijuana law, or has pled guilty to such offense.

Any property interest that is possessed, owned, or used in connection with the medical use of marijuana or acts incidental to such use, will not be harmed, neglected, injured, or destroyed while in the possession of state or local law enforcement officials where such property has been seized in connection with the claimed medical use of marijuana. Under Colorado's medical marijuana law, any such property interest will also not be forfeited under any provision of state law providing for the forfeiture of property other than as a sentence imposed after conviction of a criminal offense or entry of a plea of guilty to such offense.

Marijuana and paraphernalia seized by state or local law enforcement officials from a patient or primary caregiver in connection with the claimed medical use of marijuana shall be returned immediately upon the determination of the district attorney or his or her designee that the patient or primary caregiver is entitled to the protection contained in this section as may be evidenced, for example, by a decision not to prosecute, the dismissal of charges, or acquittal.

Any officer or employee or agent of the department who violates this regulation by releasing or making public confidential information in the registry shall be subject to any existing statutory penalties for a breach of confidentiality of the registry.

K. Confidentiality

The confidentiality of medical marijuana patients in the State of Colorado is protected by law and by the procedures used by the registry. No lists of patients or doctors are given out to anyone. Law enforcement may only call to verify the information on a specific identification card. The Registry database resides on a stand-alone computer and is password protected. The office and all files are locked at night and when the Registry administrator is out of the office.

The department may release information concerning a specific patient to that patient with the written authorization of such patient.

L. Insurance

Under Colorado state law, no governmental, private, or any other health insurance provider shall be liable for any claim for reimbursement for the medical use of marijuana.

Source: ASA*:*Becoming a Patient in Colorado ]]> Colorado MMJ User http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/104981-becoming-patient-colorado.html http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/104966-dispensary-review-mile-highs-lows-cannabis-medical.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:35:29 GMT As Colorado's medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer's college dorm room. To help keep them all straight, Westword will be offering a no-holds-barred look at what goes on behind these unusual operations' locked doors in "Mile Highs and Lows," a regular online review of dispensaries around the metro area and beyond.

This week's review: Cannabis Medical.

Our take: There are so many nice dispensaries opening these days, it's easy to wonder what all the medical-marijuana naysayers are fussing about. Law-enforcement officials warn of an industry populated by back-room operations and glorified drug dealers -- but do these sorts of operations actually exist in Colorado's rapidly evolving dispensary scene?

It turns out they do -- and exhibit A is Cannabis Medical LLC.

Cannabis Medical's website is the first indication something's not right with the operation. While the site's packed with flashy ads and impressive pictures (as well as promises of an online store coming soon), the dispensary's physical address is nowhere to be found. You'll need to call and schedule an appointment to learn the store's located at 762 Kalamath Street -- which, it turns out, is the second red flag. That's the same address as the dispensary owners' other business: Digital Impact Communications, a printing company. Once you're buzzed in through the locked front door and one of the two employees takes a quick glance at your patient ID (unlike nearly all other dispensaries, this operation doesn't make a copy of your records if you just want to shop), it's time to get down to dispensary business -- at the print-shop counter.

Even if you're willing to look past these problems, it's hard to forgive the paltry inventory that's then produced from behind the counter: a small box containing two or three strains of pot, each going for $80 an ounce. There's a $10 thimble-size "sampler" of cannabis tincture, too, as well as a smattering of laughably petite edibles. A tiny baggie holds a $10 brownie roughly the size a quarter, one that the owners promise holds two full-strength doses. They have normal-sized granola bars, too, though those will set you back $40.

This is just a tiny fraction of Cannabis Medical's selection, the staffers explain after a few minutes. The rest is in their real dispensary, which, it turns out, is located behind a closed door nearby. From the way they describe it, the place is amazing -- a smorgasbord of strains, free samples, even "naked women lounging about," as one of them jokes. But you'll have to take their word for it; no one's allowed to see it until they make Cannabis Medical their designated caregiver. You know, for privacy reasons and stuff. And in return for becoming your caregiver, "We'll be your friend," one of the owners offers with a knowing wink.

When asked if a prospective patient can check out the dispensary digs before they sign away their caregivership, they seemed a bit stumped. Apparently no one's ever bothered to ask that before.

"Tell you what," they say: "Buy some medicine, see if you like it and come back. Then we'll give you a tour."

Here's a better idea: Don't bother with Cannabis Medical at all.

Cannabis Medical
762 Kalamath Street
Denver, Colorado 80204
Cannabis Medical, LLC - Home
info@cannabismedical.com
303-912-2013

Hours: Monday through Friday 10 to 5 p.m.
Size: NA
Date opened: May 1, 2009
Clients: NA
Patient services: NA
Doctor evaluations on site: No
Must customers make the dispensary their designated caregiver: Yes, if they want to visit the actual dispensary
Raw marijuana price range: $80 per quarter ounce
Other types of medicine: Tinctures, edibles, teas
Amenities: NA



News Hawk- Ganjarden http://www.420Magazine.com
Source: WestWord
Author: Mae Coleman
Contact: WestWord
Copyright: 2009 Village Voice Media
Website: Mile Highs and Lows: Cannabis Medical ]]> Colorado MMJ Ganjarden http://www.420magazine.com/forums/colorado-mmj/104966-dispensary-review-mile-highs-lows-cannabis-medical.html