Pubdate: Fri, 11 Dec 2009
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2009 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Authors: Chris Romer and Tom Massey
Note:  Chris Romer is a Democratic state senator from Denver, and Tom 
Massey is a Republican state representative from Poncha Springs.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/dispensaries
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - United States)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

A PLAN FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Marijuana. Most people see it as a recreational drug and are 
skeptical of its tangible, medical benefits for patients with chronic 
pain, including those whose use of prescribed narcotics often leaves 
them vulnerable to addiction.

Take, for instance, Janice Beecher. A Coloradan since 1968, she 
suffers from osteoarthritis and chronic back pain. Until recently, 
she had to take as much as four oxycodone just to make it through the 
day. Fortunately for her, a permit to use marijuana legally allows 
her to live without debilitating pain to go days without taking this 
highly addictive drug.

Janice explained that "the blessing comes with the knowledge that I 
can pick what works for me at the dispensary. I don't have to just 
take what I can get on the black market."

It is cases like Janice's that compel us to make common sense policy 
for medical marijuana usage. Colorado voters spoke clearly when they 
passed a constitutional amendment that permitted medical marijuana 
use, but the amendment left many oversight and regulatory questions 
unanswered. That is why we are acting in 2010 to honor the intent of 
the constitution and help patients.

We need a model that, on the one hand, destigmatizes and makes 
available medical marijuana for those who have a medical need, and on 
the other, keeps it out of the hands of recreational users and black 
market dealers. The amendment did not fully legalize marijuana. To 
that end, any legislation must address the needs of a number of 
interested parties.

Patients must have access to physicians in good standing who can make 
sound recommendations. They also need reasonable access to 
dispensaries, and some assurance that the marijuana is safe and legally grown.

The general public needs to know that medical marijuana dispensaries 
and growers are conducting business exclusively with patients, not 
recreational users or criminals. Coloradans appear willing to permit 
legitimate clinics, not head shops, in their communities. The public 
also has little tolerance for bad actors who conduct criminal 
activity on the side.

Meanwhile, in order to accommodate legitimate patients, dispensaries 
and growers need the assurance they can establish a viable and 
sustainable economic model.

And Colorado's law enforcement community needs clarity from the 
legislature about what constitutes legal marijuana activity and what does not.

Finally, we must clearly define who qualifies as a caregiver, how 
they must relate to the patient, and what responsibilities that role entails.

With those considerations in mind, here are some details of the proposed bill:

. Dispensaries would be subject to regular auditing and reporting requirements.

. There must be a limit on the amount of marijuana produced and sold 
at any licensed premise.

. Small, unlicensed cooperatives -- one caregiver and up to two 
patients -- may operate if they adhere to the limits of the law and 
register with the state.

In addition, we will eliminate non-medical dispensaries as well as 
the loopholes through which patients can purchase from multiple 
dispensaries. Legislation will provide details to local law 
enforcement and prosecutors regarding criminalization of 
dispensaries, compensation to health care providers and caregivers, 
and punishment for the resale of legal marijuana.

And, much like with liquor sales, local governments will be empowered 
to license and regulate the dispensaries.

Finally, licensed chiropractors, physical therapists, optometrists 
and nurses who register as caregivers will have the ability to treat 
up to 25 percent of their annual medical marijuana patients without a license.

Passing such legislation makes Colorado the first state in the 
country to create a reasonable and patient-focused medical marijuana 
regulatory model. And if we focus on helping patients like Janice 
Beecher while appropriately regulating the market, there is no doubt 
we can create a common sense policy that works for Coloradans.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake