Pubdate: Mon, 09 Nov 2009
Source: Denver Daily News (CO)
Copyright: 2009 Denver Daily News
Contact:  http://www.thedenverdailynews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4274
Author: Gene Davis, DDN Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

LAWMAKER: END MEDICAL POT FREE-FOR-ALL

White Plans Regulation Legislation

A Colorado Republican announced on Friday that he is  seeking an end
to the medical marijuana free-for-all  that he believes is going on in
the state.

Sen. Al White, R-Hayden, signaled that he plans to  introduce
legislation that would bring state rules to  the currently unregulated
medical marijuana industry in  Colorado. White joins the ranks of
Denver City  Councilman Charlie Brown and Sen. Chris Romer,  D-Denver,
in trying to get a hold of what many call an  out-of-control medical
marijuana industry.

"What we've effectively got now is de facto  decriminalization of
marijuana," White said in a  statement. "That is not what the people
of this state  voted for."

White's draft proposal would establish a state monopoly  to grow and
distribute marijuana. The lawmaker believes  doing so would help keep
black market marijuana out of  the supply chain.

Additionally, the draft proposal would require any  prescription for
the substance to be filled by a  licensed pharmacist.

"We don't allow unlicensed people to simply open up a  shop and sell
controlled substances like Valium or  Oxycontin -- that's why they
call them 'controlled  substances,'" said White. "So, why are we
allowing that  to happen with medical marijuana?"

Meanwhile, Brian Vicente of the medical marijuana  advocacy group
Sensible Colorado pointed out that  Amendment 20 -- which voters
passed in 2000, legalizing  the herb for select sick patients in
Colorado --  enshrines the right of patients to grow their own
medical marijuana.

"I think it's important for patients to maintain that  right so they
don't have to go to the government to get  their medicine," he said.
"Some folks end up growing  their own because they can't afford
prescription  medicine."

Under White's plan, revenue from the sale of marijuana  would
initially be split equally between a "rainy day  fund" and a special
fund for colleges and universities.  After the "rainy day fund"
reached $1 billion, the  revenue stream would be directed entirely to
higher  education. Colorado is currently facing a budget gap in
excess of $1 billion over the next few years.

"The legislature has an obligation to honor the will of  the voters
and make this work," concluded White. "I'm  looking forward to working
with my colleagues across  party lines next year to make that happen." 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D