cannabisnews.com: A Heady Debate on Medical Pot
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A Heady Debate on Medical Pot
Posted by CN Staff on November 08, 2009 at 05:02:58 PT
By Alicia Caldwell
Source: Denver Post
Denver, CO -- If you were trying to be diplomatic, you might say the teleconferenced state meeting last week on medical marijuana was chaotic. Anonymous participants who had called in to the proceedings dropped F-bombs, talked about a barbecue and a stolen car, and at one point hijacked the call for five minutes by playing loud music.This was supposed to be an emergency meeting of the state Board of Health to consider the definition of a medical marijuana caregiver. Instead, it sounded like a frat party. Welcome to the medical marijuana policymaking process.
As momentum builds for the state legislature to address problems that have emerged due to the growth in the medical marijuana business in recent months, expect this cacophony to grow louder and uglier."The problem with the legalization crew is that they don't understand that the voters didn't approve legalization in 2000," said state Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver.Be that as it may, it's important that spectacle not get in the way of substance.Romer is at the forefront of a group of policymakers who are determined, as Romer put it, to put a "robust regulatory framework" on the state's exploding medical marijuana industry. The major concerns that have emerged since this summer, when the Board of Health gave up on the idea of limiting caregiver patient loads, involve the vast expansion of dispensaries and new patients.The suspicion is the system is being gamed by those who see an opportunity for de facto legalization and big profits that go along with catering to marijuana users."It's like somebody ripped up the cattle guard and the livestock is out," said Denver City Council member Charlie Brown, who is moving forward with city regulations on medical marijuana.Before legislators dive into the nitty gritty of regulation proposals, they will have to make an important public policy decision that will set the stage for the remainder of the debate, and determine the definition of a caregiver. A state appeals court recently said a caregiver had to be more than someone who just supplied marijuana for medical use.The key question for legislators is whether they think the 2000 constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana would accommodate the recognition of dispensaries as caregivers, keeping in mind the amendment makes no mention of dispensaries. Or, whether they want to define a caregiver — who is supposed to have significant responsibility for managing the well-being of a patient — as someone with a limited patient load.The latter route seems more in keeping with how Amendment 20 was written, mentioning caregivers would be able to keep six plants on behalf of a patient. That decision will profoundly shape the delivery of medical marijuana in Colorado. Snipped Complete Article: http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_13725524Source: Denver Post (CO)Author: Alicia CaldwellPublished: November 8, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Denver Post CorpWebsite: http://www.denverpost.com/Contact: openforum denverpost.comCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #13 posted by herbologist on November 11, 2009 at 06:33:09 PT:
Money and Control!
I really think this comes down to money and control.Why didn't they set this up from the beginning to run state authorized dispensaries.Why didn't they spend any money to start anything?It easier to steal someone Else's hard work verses creating your own.We need to use the constitution they way they try to.No where in our constitution does it say state run dispensaries only?How could anybody so screwed up ever grow good medicine?SCHWAG FOR ALL!
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Comment #12 posted by runruff on November 09, 2009 at 04:39:34 PT
I hope this busy body gets slammed!
"There are also concerns that the drug is being handed out liberally to many who don't really qualify,” the Republican from Hayden said.........SO???I hope Idiot Boy here is losing sleep over maybe someone somewhere is inducing a little euphoria with a plant! It is these squeaky clean, white shirt, wing tip wearing, control freaks that want to run everyone else's business! If I need advise for anything I would never consult a bureaucrat or someone like this honyock!
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Comment #11 posted by ekim on November 08, 2009 at 20:59:59 PT
hey herbdoc -Brad Jardis to lunch
Howard on the HillStories from the week of October 30, 2009I don’t know my audience any more: On Monday in New York City Karen and I were part of the 300 person audience for the taping of the Daily Show with John Stewart. We were wearing our legalize t-shirts and sure enough the warm-up comic noticed and that resulted in a 90 second conversation with all 300 listening. When John came out for the pre-show question and answer time, I was the first called upon. I asked a question if the Nobel Committee had given President Obama the peace prize in order to influence future American foreign policy decisions. John’s reaction was WTF!!!!* After responding, he slowly read outloud my ‘legalize drugs’ shirt and asked me why. We had an excellent 45 second conversation. Two of his staff asked for my business card and I gave it to two others. Whatever happens, it was a hoot.*When he started the show, he stated, “I don’t know my audience any more.” Breaking Bread: While visiting Niagara Falls (Karen for the first time), John Gayder, one of LEAP’s Founding Five and current serving police officer, treated us to dinner and a good chat. John left the Board of Directors this past January for personal reasons. He is missed on all levels.A day later we treated Epping, New Hampshire – 11 year veteran police officer Brad Jardis to lunch. Since appearing in the state’s largest newspaper this past spring, he has been harassed and bullied by command, no doubt to pressure him into quitting. This man’s quiet strength is an inspiration to me and all of our profession. His chief just suspended him for 10 days…time to figure out what to do next.It is marijuana policy stupid!! Last fall Eric Sterling, my mentor and President of Criminal Justice Policy Foundation (www.cjpf.org) wrote a memo to all in reform urging a focus on marijuana prohibition. It occurred to me only this month that I am no longer bound by LEAP’s directive to ask for a bill to repeal all drug prohibition at one time. Thus, I am following Eric’s advice. While COPs keeps an eye to the eventual repeal of all federal drug prohibition, going forward into 2010, I will focus like a laser on marijuana. I have changed my foto on all emails (see below) to reflect that.COP - www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
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Comment #10 posted by HempWorld on November 08, 2009 at 20:24:51 PT
Thank You FoM!
I saw it again tonight, this is really great!I searched, not on Youtube yet! Stay tuned though!
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on November 08, 2009 at 19:27:55 PT
HempWorld
I didn't know that. We don't have HBO but that is great. I really like Robin Williams.
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Comment #8 posted by HempWorld on November 08, 2009 at 18:59:29 PT
OT Have you guys seen Robin Williams come out
in favor of legalization? He is doing spots on HBO!
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on November 08, 2009 at 16:23:16 PT
Al White Wants To Give State More Control of MMJ
Colorado Sen. Al White Wants To Give State More Control of Medical PotNovember 8, 2009GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A Colorado legislator says he will propose a bill to regulate Colorado's medical marijuana industry by cutting out individual distributors and creating a state monopoly.State Sen. Al White said the state's failure to regulate the industry has raised concerns that illicit drug cartels are using local dispensaries as quasi-legal outlets for black market marijuana.“There are also concerns that the drug is being handed out liberally to many who don't really qualify,” the Republican from Hayden said.URL: http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20091108/NEWS/911089993/1079&ParentProfile=1067
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on November 08, 2009 at 15:20:58 PT
Storm Crow
That's fine. Thank you.
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Comment #5 posted by Storm Crow on November 08, 2009 at 15:18:06 PT
Get a load of the last sentence!
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/11/08/Medical-marijuana-debate-increases/UPI-84501257718477/(I'm snipping the top off this time- hope that's OK)"The California Medical Board has received and checked into 81 complaints against physicians who've recommended marijuana to patients since 1996.Some doctors were sanctioned for not detecting overt, drug-seeking behaviors in patients looking for medical marijuana recommendations. Records indicate some complaints to the board came from undercover police officers."13 years and all of 81 complaints! So they are getting about 6 complaints a year and "some" are bogus set-ups from cops lying about medical conditions! I wonder just how many that "some" actually is?
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Comment #4 posted by FiddleMan on November 08, 2009 at 14:58:17 PT
Legalize Cannabis Now!
""The problem with the legalization crew is that they don't understand that the voters didn't approve legalization in 2000," said state Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver."---That mistake can be fixed… Legalize Cannabis Now and make it available to everyone 21 or older. "The suspicion is the system is being gamed by those who see an opportunity for de facto legalization and big profits that go along with catering to marijuana users."---Our country thrives on commerce & free enterprise. Legalize, Tax & Regulate Cannabis like Alcohol and many great things will come from the change.The big problem that States are having with setting up Medical Cannabis Laws is the fact that Cannabis is strongly desired by so many more people other than just medical users. Prohibitionists do not want those millions of people to enjoy themselves recreationally. But those same prohibitionists tell us that we CAN drink ourselves to death! Yes, the terminally ill need their Medical Cannabis - but the ultimate problem here is Prohibition. Prohibition keeps getting in the way. We simply need to end Prohibition! Millions who are not terminally ill want Cannabis as well. Eliminate Cannabis Prohibition and then all Medical Cannabis users can get their medicine much easier AND recreational users will get a Safe alternative to Alcohol! With easier access to Cannabis (by that I mean “without the fear of being thrown in a prison”), there will be less Alcohol abuse, and the World will become a much better place!Our government needs to STOP supporting the Drug Cartels and the Prison Industry and let the People have a safe alternative to Alcohol! We the People want freedom again!Legalize Cannabis Now!
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on November 08, 2009 at 12:03:51 PT
goneposthole
It's good to see you. I agree Obama is a politician. What can I say? You have to be a politician to want the most difficult job in America.
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Comment #2 posted by goneposthole on November 08, 2009 at 10:49:55 PT
cell phone texting
Hello, FoMWe all know that the gobmint is corrupt and Mr. Obama is no different than any other politician out there, sorry to say.Now that cell phone texting is the number one method of cannabis dispensing, it's a done deal.You don't need a brick and mortar presence to have medical marijuana dispensed.Cannabis for all.
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on November 08, 2009 at 10:38:24 PT
What I'd like to see.
I'd like to see RE-legalizing cannabis on the ballot again.Complete RE-legalization. That would solve the problem.That would require educating and informing the eastern flat-landers / farmers. They were the main opposition during the election. This is a link to the county by county election results for Amendment 44 in 2006, re-legaliing cannabis: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006//pages/results/states/CO/I/04/county.000.html Had Colorado activists focused on that flat-lander / farmer group it may be RE-legalized in CO at this time.The direction for education is pointing out the farming oppertunities. RE-legalizing cannabis means win win for farmers. Unless the government continues to give farmers money / subsidies for not growing...Cannabis activists would do well to help eliminate farm subsidies that allow farmers to receive when they don't produce. That puts the farmer in the position to accept cannabis, which grows easier than most any other crop.Also, what percentage of rural flatlander / farmer taxes go toward big city cannabis prohibition, which is a waste?This all gets back to and is related to the economy.Remember the line, IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID-0-I honestly don't know or understand farm subsidies or know if they still even exist. Does My lose tongue even apply?
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