cannabisnews.com: New Medical-Marijuana Regs Now Law in Colorado
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New Medical-Marijuana Regs Now Law in Colorado
Posted by CN Staff on June 07, 2010 at 10:33:02 PT
By John Ingold, Denver Post
Source: Denver Post
Colorado -- Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law today two bills regulating and legitimizing the state's medical-marijuana industry. "The companion measures I signed today strike a delicate balance between protecting public safety and respecting the will of the voters," Ritter said in a statement.The bills — which impose complicated licensing requirements on medical-marijuana dispensaries and crack down on unscrupulous doctors indiscriminately handing out marijuana recommendations — were some of the most high-profile measures passed in the legislature this year.
But Ritter signed the bills, House Bill 1284 and Senate Bill 109, this morning without the usual public ceremony such attention-grabbing legislation usually commands. Instead, the bills were signed privately along with a slate of 28 various other bills before Ritter headed out on a bill-signing tour in southwestern Colorado.Supporters of the bills say they will professionalize the medical-marijuana industry and make it harder for people to abuse the system. But several prominent medical-marijuana advocates say the rules go too far, will drive marijuana dispensaries out of business and will push patients back into the underground marketplace. A team of lawyers has already begun recruiting potential plaintiffs for lawsuits challenging the laws' constitutionality.A number of law enforcement officials, meanwhile, say the rules don't go far enough. They argue that, by permitting marijuana dispensaries, the legislature overstepped its constitutional authority.Of the pair, Senate Bill 109, which requires that patients have a "bona fide" relationship with the doctors who recommend marijuana for them, had the less bumpy ride through the legislature.The new law will require doctors to have completed a full assessment of the patient's medical history, to talk with the patient about the medical condition that has caused them to seek marijuana and to be available for follow-up care. The law also prevents doctors from getting paid by dispensaries to write recommendations.Supporters hope the measures will eliminate fast food-style medical-marijuana-recommendation operations that critics say have swelled the state's registry with illegitimate patients."Senate Bill 109 will help prevent fraud and abuse," Ritter said in his statement today.House Bill 1284, which creates strict new regulations for medical-marijuana businesses, generated considerably more controversy. The law requires that dispensaries be licensed at both the state and local levels, and it allows local governments — or voters — to ban dispensaries and large-scale marijuana-growing operations in their communities. Snipped Complete Article: http://denverpost.com/news/marijuana/ci_15244688Source: Denver Post (CO)Author: John Ingold, Denver Post Published: June 7, 2010Copyright: 2010 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 #8 posted by FoM on June 08, 2010 at 16:35:38 PT
TroutMask
Thank you. That is good news.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #7 posted by Hope on June 08, 2010 at 16:28:21 PT
Troutmask
That is good news.A heck of a sight better than another poke in the eye with another sharp stick.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #6 posted by TroutMask on June 08, 2010 at 14:32:38 PT
Some Good News
I didn't know this until I just got email from Marijuana Policy Project, but the Gov also signed legislation that increases the amount of marijuana for a misdemeanor possession charge from 1 ounce to 2 ounces. Now, THAT is good news. I never carry around TWO ounces. :)
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by tintala on June 08, 2010 at 08:47:33 PT:
It will push me underground-to the black end
Too bad ,their decision was a terrible one, as a supplier , I am now either forced to "buy" in as a partner to the dispensary or commercial grow site, or I will be pushed into the black market, now, I do not have the 10,000$ that is needed to do either option.. I suppose the black market will have a glut soon. This year the hydro industry saw a huge surge in equipment sales, being a distibuter, lots of people bought lots of stuff and now they can't use it. I still have equipment unused just sitting there, due to an expansion plan, but this bill really screwed things up!Back into the BLACK MARKET WE GO! GOOD GOING COLORADO! Oh well I will make more money there anyway!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #4 posted by Buck Snort on June 08, 2010 at 06:01:46 PT:
What a poor governor
Ritter has become an ineffective governor and his actions to rein in a budget deficit is actually going to increase it.
Many lawsuits have been proposed and they are going to cause an increase in deficit spending by defending the State from these new laws.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #3 posted by Zandor on June 07, 2010 at 18:49:00 PT
They can't stop the people!!
Either most will just go back under ground or maybe start up delivery collectives?I assume they can still grow their own?The lawyers are going to make a bundle of cash for this one.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 07, 2010 at 13:39:39 PT
AP: New Medical Pot Regulations in Colorado
June 7, 2010Denver -- Colorado has enacted statewide regulations for the medical marijuana industry which could potentially allow hundreds of dispensaries to continue operating.Gov. Bill Ritter on Monday signed two bills passed by lawmakers this session to rein in the estimated 1,100 medical marijuana dispensaries that have cropped up around the state.Both laws take effect immediately. One allows only doctors in good standing to recommend medical marijuana. The other sets up a uniform set of rules for marijuana dispensaries as well as growers and makers of marijuana-infused snacks preferred by some patients.Regulators expect only about half of the existing dispensaries to be able to continue operating under the rules.In his state of the state message in January, Ritter urged the industry to work with communities and law enforcement to come up with compromises that protect the public and patients using medical marijuana."The companion measures I signed today strike a delicate balance between protecting public safety and respecting the will of the voters," Ritter said.The measures face potential legal challenges from supporters who say they go too far, allowing communities like Vail, Aurora, Superior, Arapahoe County and Colorado Springs to clamp down on the industry."On the one hand, we are pleased it legitimizes this health care industry; however, we are concerned it may be overly strict and could cut off patient access to medication as a result of the dwindling number of dispensaries," said Brian Vicente, executive director of Sensible Colorado, a medical marijuana patients' group.Under the new laws, cities and counties are able ban dispensaries within their borders. In places where they're allowed, owners will have to undergo criminal background checks. Dispensaries must grow 70 percent of their marijuana, a provision aimed at keeping tabs on where it is being sold.Karen O'Keefe, director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project, said a state-regulated medical marijuana program is already in effect in New Mexico and similar programs will soon be operational in Rhode Island, Maine, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.O'Keefe said the number of sanctioned dispensaries to be allowed in each of those states and the District of Columbia is fewer than 10. Colorado's law will authorize hundreds, and potentially more if future demand increases.Colorado's medical marijuana industry will be overseen by the state revenue department in much the same way that casinos are regulated. Inspectors will investigate the books of marijuana businesses to look for criminal ties.Fees to be set by regulators will pay for the system, and smaller dispensary owners fear they may not be able to afford them. Some dispensaries will also likely have to merge with growers to meet the requirement that they grow most of their own pot.
Copyright: 2010 Associated Press URL: http://www.wpri.com/dpps/health/healthy_living/new-medical-pot-regulations-in-colorado_3408275
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #1 posted by Christen-Mitchell on June 07, 2010 at 11:59:35 PT:
BigCannabis
- Estimates run to $100,000 as the amount needed to operate as a Dispensary. It is said that Chris Rohmer was guided by Big Phama and mob elements to form his legislation.
- Bottom line, most will close and the established flow will quietly go back underground.
- Big Resistance should happen immediately with an injunction
Hemptopia
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