Pubdate: Tue, 23 Jun 2009
Source: Glenwood Springs Post Independent (CO)
Copyright: 2009 Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Contact:  http://www.postindependent.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/821
Author: John Stroud, Staff Writer

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY TO OPEN IN CARBONDALE

Entrepreneur Is Also A Patient

CARBONDALE, Colorado -- A local man plans to open shop  in Carbondale
next month for what he believes will be  the Roaring Fork Valley's
first dispensary for medical  marijuana.

Joey Jones, a Carbondale-area resident for three years  who has worked
as a personal trainer locally for two  years, said Monday that he has
secured a location near  Highway 133 in Carbondale to serve as the
outlet for  Colorado Mountain Dispensary (CMD). He declined to 
disclose the location, preferring to work directly with  clients.

He is gearing up to advertise locally and regionally to  develop a
group of patient clients who have obtained  the legal permit for a
specific medical reason under  Colorado's Amendment 20 to purchase and
possess up to 2  ounces of "a usable form of marijuana."

That can be in a form that is smoked or, perhaps more  preferably for
some, in a variety of edible forms,  Jones said.

"There are alternative ways to medicate that avoid the  dangers
associated with smoking," he said. That  includes a THC butter that
can be used for baking, as  well as capsules and drops containing THC,
the active  ingredient in the marijuana plant.

"We are excited to provide the valley with quality  medicine without
the hassle of driving all the way to  Denver," Jones said. "We will
also be offering a  discreet delivery service, from Aspen to Vail, and
up  to Grand Junction, effective Immediately."

Jones, 24, is a patient himself, having been diagnosed  a
year-and-a-half ago with degenerative disc in his  back. Doctors
initially prescribed pain pills, but  Jones sought out the alternative
of using marijuana  after learning that it is legal for medical use in
 Colorado.

"We're not trying to go around and get people to smoke  pot," he said.
"Part of our mission is to educate  people that this is a much
healthier and safer  alternative to prescription pain
medication."

Colorado voters in 2000 passed Amendment 20 to the  state
constitution. It authorizes individuals to use  marijuana to lessen
the debilitating symptoms of  certain illnesses and medical conditions.

The law permits an authorized patient to possess up to  2 ounces of "a
usable form of marijuana" or "no more  than six marijuana plants, with
three or fewer being  mature, flowering plants that are producing a
usable  form of marijuana," according to the amendment.

The law also allows for dispensaries such as the one  Jones intends to
operate, under the general  classification of "caregiver." There are
several  operating around Colorado, including in Grand Junction. 
Aspen attorney Lauren Maytin also told The Aspen Times  in April that
she was working with a group of clients  who wanted to open a
dispensary in Aspen. She could not  be reached Monday for comment on
whether that venture  came to fruition.

Jones said even if CMD is the only dispensary in the  valley to start,
it's probably only a matter of time  before others come along.

"If there's not a need here now, there will be very,  very soon, so
I'm not concerned about it being  successful," he said.

As of May 31, there were 71 people in Garfield County  with medical
marijuana permits, 32 in Pitkin County,  and 66 in Eagle County,
according to the Colorado  Department of Public Health and
Environment. Statewide,  7,630 people have active, valid medical
marijuana  permits.

Jones said he is not aware of any medical doctors  locally who have
signed for patients to obtain medical  marijuana, but that also may
change.

"If a doctor sees the potential for medical marijuana  to work for a
patient, we want to be able to work with  them," he said.

Jones said he and his girlfriend, who is assisting with  the new
venture, are organizing an education campaign  as well, and plan to
have a presence of some sort at  the Carbondale Fourth of July
celebration.

"We want to get the word out about medical marijuana  and what it's
all about," he said.

Jones acknowledged there will be some self-policing  involved to make
sure patients aren't abusing the  service.

"If someone purchases 2 ounces and then comes back the  next day for
another 2 ounces, obviously something is  up," he said. "We care about
our patients, and we don't  want them to do anything illegal."

Jones said he is "outsourcing" for the marijuana he  will need for his
operation, and is working with a  grower who will be growing
specifically for CMD  patients.

Carbondale Police Chief Gene Schilling said he does not  have a
problem with Jones' operation, "as long as he  follows the rules."

Marijuana possession and distribution above the limit  spelled out in
Amendment 20, and without the proper  permitting for patients and
dispensers, remains illegal  in Colorado, as well as under federal
law, causing some  problems when it comes to local
enforcement.

Jones said he plans to have the storefront up and  running by
mid-July. For more information about CMD,  call (970) 306-3231.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr