Colorado: Discuss Romer's Pending Regulations

[SacredBreh]

Anything that legislates "Moral person"

Anything that legislates "Moral person"

What the hell is that???? Late on taxes, fines....makes me not a moral person. Child support.......maybe but the other.... hell you can be a Senator, Govenor, or even President and say opps I just forgot that tax. Happened the last elections......... BULLSHIT>>>>>

$2000.00 application fee
$3000.00 annual registration fee

Do you think they are slicing it so only their buddies can be at the top or even have a shot at it.

These requirements are more strict than any professional license requirements in the state for established professions. Seems like they are just tagging little pet peves here and there. Whats next..... didn't brush your teeth last year.

 

[rickindnvr]

Here is a copy of the email I sent on Saturday:

Dear Senator Romer,

I just read your proposed bill, and just wanted to express my thoughts.

While I recognized the desire to tighten regulations on how Medical Marijuana is provided to patients, I have some concerns that I think should be considered in this regulation.

1. Many of the patients who need medical marijuana have limited finances. Even with current guidelines, there seems to be a significant difference in the "street" value of marijuana, and what dispensaries are charging for medical marijuana. This causes a hardship on the very patients that need the medicine, and with your proposed changes, I am wondering if prices will increase, causing further hardships for patients. This might also result in patients seeking illegal sources to be able to get affordable medicine.

2. In our current economy, the prospects of doing business related to the medical marijuana industry is obviously catching on like wildfire. This will no doubt, have a positive effect on the Colorado community. As I have been unemployed for a number of months now, I am especially interested in this prospect. With your proposed changes, I am however concerned that you will close the door on a number of people who might otherwise be able to make a living in some area of the medical marijuana industry. I believe that are many people who have the skills and drive to either grow and/or sell this needed product, but do not have the means to open a large dispensary or greenhouse. I would encourage you to leave things open enough where people can start small, and grow from there. This could be similar to the massage therapy industry. People can make a living in this industry, by offering massages out of their home, go to a clients home, set up in a small office, join with other holistic providers, work for a larger massage business, as well as investing in a large massage business. Couldn't the medical marijuana industry have some of the same options?

Thank you for you time in consideration of this matter.

 

[Sam the Caveman]

It would be my dream come true for a politician to write a bill that is entirely self supporting and cost efficient, isn't it obvious they should? Why increase the burden on the general fund with new bureaocracy salaries, especially now?

Why not use agencies that are already in place?

If they want to inspect grow ops on a regular basis, why not use the dept of Agriculture's division of Inspection and consumer services? I mean, duh hu.

If they want to inspect new dispensaries before they open, use the health department inspectors. Whats so hard about that? They inspect resturants all the time, why not a dispensary?

If they want to issue special licenses, why can't they follow the same procedures any new business has to in order to get their business license?

Even if they charged $50 per inspection, that would more than cover the salary of the inspector, fuel, vehicle expenses, paperwork, etc... One inspector could do at least 10 per day.

Am I missing something here? Sounds simple/obvious enough to me, but I'm no genius.

 

[Surrender]

I went over the whole thing in another thread:

It's ridiculous and overkill. Full of bad news. We are talking a rollback to ~2007-2008 for the industry.

1. creates a new state "Medical Marijuana Licensing Authority" under the Dep't of Rev. Its mandate is to track every gram of medical marijuana and derivatives from production to consumption. It keeps active files on all patients, doctors, producers, distributors, employees, and probably more. They want to know exactly how much each patient is consuming, with a full patient care plan on file.

Unnecessary, overkill. All for a substance only slightly more dangerous than pencil shavings.


2 types of licenses, Clinics and Growers. Growers can't ever sell to patients.

Requirements for public notice and hearings for all new entities. You'll have to put your home addresses on the public notice sign posted at the business.


You have to prove you are of good moral character to apply as will all who own 10% of the business.

CBI and FBI background check.

Doctors and Cops and those under 21 can't have ownership in a clinic/grow.

500 feet limit on public/private schools, day care centers.

no operations within 20 miles of the state border (why?)

Requires operators to apply with yet another local licensing authority, in their city or county, payment of yet another fee.

Specifically allows cities towns and counties to zone for MMJ businesses as a class of business.

Officers and board members of a business must be CO residents.

No mobile clinics (delivery ok)

8am to 8pm business hours. Closed Sunday.

"Clinics" limited to 1500 patients.

Individuals limited to ownership in 3 licensed entities.

CO MMJ only no out-of-state sources.

Clinics must report anyone who receives more than 2oz per week, these patients subject to special review ad CDPHE.

Electronic payments to growers only.
Growers only in Agriculture or Industrially zoned locations.

3 licensed growers may share a facility.

Growers file a monthly report of:
total plants
height and maturity of each
"estimated days to flower" of each plant not yet flowered (??)
total amount of MMJ harvested each month.

Lots of provisions for license revoking and fines. By applying for a license you agree to testify in any proceedings against another or licensee.

30 day limit for judicial review of a permit denial.

Oh then they slip in revised colorado statutes that still spell it as "marihuana"

Rules for physicians

photo ID cards for patients
photo ID cards for caregivers


New rules for caregivers. Must apply. "Minimum level of other services for caregivers"

Coops of 5 only. (traditional caregivers limited to 5 patients)

clinics/growers can't pay doctors

board review of all patients under 21 who aren't vets.

Caregiver may also be a clinic ?


Towns and counties authorized to add an up to 20% tax on MMJ! (subject to ballot approval in each locale)



In short it's a whole bunch of crazy! It does nothing to reign in the excesses and throws a bunch of sand in the gears rather than facilitating a smooth future.

edit: Hey we'll make a huge expensive bureaucracy and make them pay for it!

 

[IheartCO]

There has been a lot of chatter about this among Denver circles over the past two days. I'd be really surprised if it doesn't get shot down like all of the other jack-assed proposals last year.
Write letters to Romer. Let him know how you feel.

 

[Kola Radical]

I can pass a criminal background check so the mafia can hire me to run their dispensary.

The mafia is like amway for wiseguys. Denver is like Las Vegas in the 60's. God forbid we let all those degenerates gamble 24/7... but now you can gamble anywhere. My gambling website comped me some cool swag for the holidays. Gotta love progress...

 

[Surrender]

Rob Corry just dismantled Romer's bill. 2nd link down on the Cannabis Therapy Institute site.

 

[SoCoMMJ]

Yeah, here is a direct link to the PDF file:

Rob Corry's Comments

Some of the bill I would like to see go in, like commercial grower licenses. Then growers wouldn't need to be caregivers. Not sure I would want to pay a bazillion dollars for it though.

I agree that some legislation needs to be in place to color in all the gray areas, but parts of this proposed legislation go waaaaaay too far.

I mean really, fingerprints to the FBI. Doesn't he remember that it's still a federal crime to grow, possess, or dispense marijuana ? If you tell them of a crime I don't think they can ignore it. Then he also dropped out the part of the state defending you in Federal Court since they forced registration.

But get ready folks, something will be headed down from the hill. You can pretty much bet on that one.

 

[RAGGA MON]

If he gets his way, it will only create a larger black market and drive the cost of buying it up.

 

[hemp23]

Kinda sounds like CO is trying to prevent what California has turned in to. They neccesary dont want the "Wild West" of medical marijuana. They beleieve that if they interfere with the industry then people cant blame the government from what is happeneing now with all the new dispensaries opening around the state. They don't want it to seem like they are losing control.

Also, If anyone has a drivers license in the state, then they already have your fingerprints...

 

[SoCoMMJ]

Right, but having fingerprints on file is not the same as saying to the FBI, " Here are this guy's fingerprints. He grows marijuana."

 

[PaulyMolitor]

Does anyone know when this purposed law might pass?

 

[Surrender]

How a Bill Becomes a Colorado Law

HOUSE

1. Introduction
2. First Reading by the House Clerk
3. Assigned to Committee by Speaker of the House
4. Committee Hearing (where public testimony & amendments may be offered)
5. Committee Reports Offered (Committee reports are reports made by the committee of the status of a bill that was assigned to the specific committee)
6. House Floor and Second Reading (May include debate and additional amendments)
7. House Floor and Third Reading Final Passage

SENATE

1. Introduction
2. First Reading by the Senate Clerk
3. Assigned to Committee by Senate President
4. Committee Hearing ( may contain any amendments)
5. Committee Reports Offered
6. Senate Floor and Second Reading (May include debate and additional amendments)
7. Senate Floor and Third Reading Final Passage (without any additional amendments)
8. If a bill passes 2nd House without amendments, goes to the Governor; otherwise, to conference committee.

Conference Committee

A conference committee is actually two 3 - member committees, one from each house, meeting together to attempt to work out language acceptable to the Senate and House on some measure upon which agreement could not be reached through committee or floor amendments.

A majority of the members of the committee must agree before the conference committee report may be submitted to the Senate and House; moreover, neither body is obligated to accept the report, but usually they find common ground; particularly, when the alternative could be the failure of the bill.
GOVERNOR

Signed by the Governor and becomes Colorado Law.

If the Governor Fails to sign a bill within 10 days upon receiving a bill while the General Assembly is in session or within 30 days if the General Assembly is adjourned, the bill become Colorado Law.
Veto Policy:

If Vetoed, the Governor sends a veto message to the General Assembly and if the General Assembly decides to override the Governor's veto, it must have two-thirds votes of all Members from both the House and Senate.

The regular session starts this Wednesday. Romer hasn't said when he plans to introduce it afaik.

 

[Kola Radical]

If you have to compromise your principles in order to win, then that is not a victory.

Keep the cannabis culture. Get rid of the narrow minded pinheads who want to tell you how to live.

 

[SoCoMMJ]

Romer Quits efforts on Bill

Romer Quits efforts on Bill

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-romer/colorado-medical-marijuan_b_417488.html

Chris Romer gives up his efforts on major legislation. However he will be pushing for a bill to tighten the requirements on doctor exams as well as enhancements to the state registry.

The other bill headed for the house to watch out for hopes to install the 5 patient cap on caregivers. This one is sponsored by the Sheriff's ass. and State Attorney General. That would effectively outlaw dispensaries.

It isn't over yet.... Denver is having a city issue this week.

 

[canaguy27]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-romer/colorado-medical-marijuan_b_417488.html

Chris Romer gives up his efforts on major legislation.

Started a new thread on it. Big news.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=153581

 

[smknfire]

doperoper - without growers and dispensaries the majority of CO patients would not be able to safely acquire medication. Simply, not enough people have the means to grow their own medicine...the demand shows that. Of course the people who take the risks of owning/operating dispensaries and grow facilities are in business to make money...what kind of business owner is in business not to?