MMJ Bill Changes During Negotiations - Colorado - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

vta · 03-04-2010, 06:01 PM

By The Associated Press
Source: Summit Daily News

medical Denver -- Lawmakers who want to regulate the state's growing medical marijuana industry are now willing to let dispensaries advertise and operate for profit, but they want to make sure the state can keep tabs on the source of their products.

The overhauled regulations, up for their first vote at the Capitol on Thursday, were worked out in negotiations with dispensaries and patient advocates after the bill was introduced a month ago by Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver.

The latest compromise, however, hasn't satisfied everyone.

Patient groups believe the bill goes too far in limiting the rights of patients. Patients would give up their right to grow their own marijuana if they purchase pot at a dispensary, and no one could possess medical marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school or a daycare center.

Brian Vicente, the executive director of Sensible Colorado, a medical marijuana patients' group, said that could stop people from using medical marijuana in their own homes.

“We're pretty upset that after months of negotiations, we've reached a point where this bill wholesale sells patients out for the interests of dispensaries and law enforcement,” he said.

His group is preparing to ask voters to pass an alternative plan this fall if they think lawmakers go too far.

Dispensaries fought back an attempt to require that they operate as non-profits. But they're still concerned about a rule that would only allow them to buy 25 percent of their medical marijuana from another shop because not every dispensary owner wants to grow their own pot.

Nevertheless, dispensaries welcome a chance to be regulated and prevent large household grows like the one busted by federal drug agents in Highlands Ranch recently, said Matt Brown, a medical marijuana patient and leader of a coalition of about 150 dispensaries and over 1,000 patients.

The legitimacy that comes from regulation is exactly why the bill is strongly opposed by those in law enforcement, including Attorney General John Suthers.

Ted Tow, executive director of the Colorado District Attorneys Council, said voters only intended for there to be small scale grows of marijuana by individuals or their care givers, not businesses, when they passed the medical marijuana law in 2000.

“It's a significant step toward decriminalization,” Tow said.

Massey initially sided with law enforcement and intended to limit people to growing marijuana for just a handful of people, a move that would have shut down dispensaries. But he said he changed his mind because he didn't think that would pass and because he didn't think it's feasible for the growing number of medical marijuana patients to grow their own.

He said that number could hit 100,000 by the time lawmakers adjourn in May.

“It didn't make sense to have 100,000 people growing in their own basement,” he said.

The latest version of the bill will likely be changed during its hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.

If regulations are passed, the bill currently calls for a yearlong moratorium on new dispensaries to give time for state officials to implement the new regulatory system. All dispensaries, old and new, would then have to get state and local licenses.

Voters could also vote to ban them in their municipality, but such bans could only be proposed once every four years.

cobcoop · 03-04-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Patients would give up their right to grow their own marijuana if they purchase pot at a dispensary

Fucking seriously?

K.J · 03-04-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Patient groups believe the bill goes too far in limiting the rights of patients. Patients would give up their right to grow their own marijuana if they purchase pot at a dispensary, and no one could possess medical marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school or a daycare center.

THIS is the one that has me concerned....but I'd like to see them try it. Talk about BLATANT violation of the CO state constitution.

Glad to hear they dropped the non-profit BS (not that I don't think having co-ops and non-profits would be great, but forcing them all to go that way is absurd).

HossCartwright · 03-04-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobcoop

Fucking seriously?

yeah man that is what I was talking about the other day in the mmj license thread. something about ONLY being able to purchase from your primary caregiver. some bullshit.

I don't like/trust that Matt Brown guy at all. IMO he represents big business and is against the best interest of small growers/caregivers. He's basically a dispensary bitch I think. Like a lobbyist.

03-04-2010, 08:18 PM

Would dispensaries still purchase their product off of caregivers, or would they have to grow it all themselves? I see in the thread that they can purchase 25% of their MMJ from another shop but it doesn't say anything about caregivers.

cobcoop · 03-04-2010, 08:37 PM

As it stands in HB 1284 disp. would have to grow 90% of their own meds. If folks haven't already please write your local reps and voice your opinions!

You can find the district maps and contacts here:
https://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite.../1200536134915

HossCartwright · 03-04-2010, 10:46 PM

Dispensaries should be allowed NO patients and be allowed to grow NO meds!!!

ROOTWISE · 03-04-2010, 10:51 PM

How do you spell COLLECTIVE?!!

Be careful how much power you give to these dispensaries or they'll be the only ones holding any medicine. Growers for patients and patients for growers. The greed behind most (I know not all) dispensaries is abhorable.

Tripsick · 03-05-2010, 12:04 AM

i would rather lose the dispensaries then the right to grow.
i really dont want to lose either..

Bud Spleefman · 03-05-2010, 01:09 AM

I just can't believe how out of touch with reality these Politicians are. The CAT IS OUT OF THE FUCKING BAG! Like, if they change the law now people will quit growing. I think not! Too late for that. And there isn't room, or money, to put all the growers in jail. It's just going to bankrupt the system even worse....

5 Patients... like I'm going to drop the rest?! WTF?!

03-04-2010, 06:01 PM	#1
vta Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,292	MMJ Bill Changes During Negotiations By The Associated Press Source: Summit Daily News medical Denver -- Lawmakers who want to regulate the state's growing medical marijuana industry are now willing to let dispensaries advertise and operate for profit, but they want to make sure the state can keep tabs on the source of their products. The overhauled regulations, up for their first vote at the Capitol on Thursday, were worked out in negotiations with dispensaries and patient advocates after the bill was introduced a month ago by Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver. The latest compromise, however, hasn't satisfied everyone. Patient groups believe the bill goes too far in limiting the rights of patients. Patients would give up their right to grow their own marijuana if they purchase pot at a dispensary, and no one could possess medical marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school or a daycare center. Brian Vicente, the executive director of Sensible Colorado, a medical marijuana patients' group, said that could stop people from using medical marijuana in their own homes. “We're pretty upset that after months of negotiations, we've reached a point where this bill wholesale sells patients out for the interests of dispensaries and law enforcement,” he said. His group is preparing to ask voters to pass an alternative plan this fall if they think lawmakers go too far. Dispensaries fought back an attempt to require that they operate as non-profits. But they're still concerned about a rule that would only allow them to buy 25 percent of their medical marijuana from another shop because not every dispensary owner wants to grow their own pot. Nevertheless, dispensaries welcome a chance to be regulated and prevent large household grows like the one busted by federal drug agents in Highlands Ranch recently, said Matt Brown, a medical marijuana patient and leader of a coalition of about 150 dispensaries and over 1,000 patients. The legitimacy that comes from regulation is exactly why the bill is strongly opposed by those in law enforcement, including Attorney General John Suthers. Ted Tow, executive director of the Colorado District Attorneys Council, said voters only intended for there to be small scale grows of marijuana by individuals or their care givers, not businesses, when they passed the medical marijuana law in 2000. “It's a significant step toward decriminalization,” Tow said. Massey initially sided with law enforcement and intended to limit people to growing marijuana for just a handful of people, a move that would have shut down dispensaries. But he said he changed his mind because he didn't think that would pass and because he didn't think it's feasible for the growing number of medical marijuana patients to grow their own. He said that number could hit 100,000 by the time lawmakers adjourn in May. “It didn't make sense to have 100,000 people growing in their own basement,” he said. The latest version of the bill will likely be changed during its hearing before the House Judiciary Committee. If regulations are passed, the bill currently calls for a yearlong moratorium on new dispensaries to give time for state officials to implement the new regulatory system. All dispensaries, old and new, would then have to get state and local licenses. Voters could also vote to ban them in their municipality, but such bans could only be proposed once every four years. __________________ "When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson C'mon...You know you want to click this... American? Click here...
	Quote 2 members found this post helpful.

03-04-2010, 08:37 PM	#6
cobcoop Puttin flame to fire Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Horti-Pimpin ain't easy Posts: 2,979	As it stands in HB 1284 disp. would have to grow 90% of their own meds. If folks haven't already please write your local reps and voice your opinions! You can find the district maps and contacts here: https://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite.../1200536134915 __________________
	Quote

03-04-2010, 10:51 PM	#8
ROOTWISE Rancher Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chasing Hybrid Vigor Posts: 617	How do you spell COLLECTIVE?!! Be careful how much power you give to these dispensaries or they'll be the only ones holding any medicine. Growers for patients and patients for growers. The greed behind most (I know not all) dispensaries is abhorable. __________________ Medical Patient in Full Compliance With Current State Law
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

03-05-2010, 12:04 AM	#9
Tripsick Experienced? Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,419	i would rather lose the dispensaries then the right to grow. i really dont want to lose either.. __________________ it's better to burn out than to fade away
	Quote

03-04-2010, 08:18 PM	#5
joebuddy420 Guest Posts: n/a	Would dispensaries still purchase their product off of caregivers, or would they have to grow it all themselves? I see in the thread that they can purchase 25% of their MMJ from another shop but it doesn't say anything about caregivers.
	Quote

03-04-2010, 10:46 PM	#7
HossCartwright Banned Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 675	Dispensaries should be allowed NO patients and be allowed to grow NO meds!!!
	Quote

03-05-2010, 01:09 AM	#10
Bud Spleefman Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 462	I just can't believe how out of touch with reality these Politicians are. The CAT IS OUT OF THE FUCKING BAG! Like, if they change the law now people will quit growing. I think not! Too late for that. And there isn't room, or money, to put all the growers in jail. It's just going to bankrupt the system even worse.... 5 Patients... like I'm going to drop the rest?! WTF?!
	Quote