Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 Source: Journal Advocate, The (Sterling, CO) Copyright: 2010 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.journal-advocate.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4033 Author: Judy Debus DISPENSARIES PROVIDE RELIEF FOR PATIENTS "I just don't feel like they are listening to the people," said Jim Clark, owner of "The Farm" Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Washington County. "It is just their personal opinions." Clark attended the work session of the Logan County Commissioners on Monday and expressed his interest in opening a dispensary in the county as well as supporting Dave Durfee, who lists himself as a caregiver in Logan County. In a later telephone interview, both expressed their thoughts about the discussion held at the meeting. "There are sick folks in this county and they are ignoring what the needs are," Clark said. He addressed the issue that was brought up about the numbers in Denver and the Metro area, but suggested if they are going to compare those numbers then they need to look at the number of bank robberies in Denver as compared to this area. There is no comparison, he said, and they should look at the real statistics. Clark felt the commissioners were not looking at the real statistics and were not seeing the number of real people who suffer with real issues. "The small-minded thinking does not realize that medical marijuana dispensaries are not the place to buy intoxicants," he said. "That place is the liquor stores. The commissioners were saying that they don't mind that people have to drive in inclement weather to get relief for their suffering." Clark expressed the concern that the commissioners had their minds made up and they were more worried that the product would be sold out the back door to teenagers. "It seems they want to support the earlier trade (illegal drugs)," he said. "That is what the police take care of and if I had a dispensary (they think) I would be selling to their teenagers. They only care about numbers and what they can shut down. They had 2,000 Republicans who got to vote (and voted no on legalizing marijuana) but very few who really needed the help for their suffering got to vote." Clark said there are 1 million patients in Colorado who are suffering, and he can barely keep from crying as he hears their stories, whether it be from HIV, fibromyalgia, etc.; those who are taking Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin and a bombardment of other pharmaceuticals. We are told of the side-effects of these medications that doctors are prescribing because of drug company pay-backs through the back door, he said. "I think we need to elect new people who care about those who elected them," Clark said. "There was no response from the commissioners of caring for those people. I think that is their agenda and they should be removed from office." Clark went on to say that his mother told him that "the measure of the quality of a society is how they take care of their people." "I think we need to elect new people who care about those who elected them," he said. Dave Durfee was at the work session on Monday and also felt the commissioners' minds were already made up on the issue. He is a registered caregiver in Logan County and does not have a retail space. He has patients with a medical marijuana card who list him as their caregiver and he is allowed to grow six plants - three blooming and three not blooming per client. (The flower of the plant is the value). "They think they are solving the problem with a ban," he said. "Their minds are already set." His business is by word of mouth and he does no public advertising. The regulation piece is a gray area and will be through the health department, he said. He has a small number of patients. "I just want to exist," he said. "I want to do it right, that is why I registered; some are not." He noted that he has collected $200 in sales tax, which he hasn't turned in because it is not due yet. A gram of marijuana sells for about $15 and is the size of a small pecan. The average purchase is 3.5 to 7 grams or 1/8 oz. to 7 ozs. Durfee was professor of horticulture for nine years at Northeastern Junior College. "I was good at that (horticulture), and I want to make some money," he said. Should it be approved, he would be able to sell to other dispensaries, he said. In a prepared statement received on Tuesday from Durfee, he said that he was very disappointed at the outcome of the Monday meeting but will respect and abide by the county's decision. "However, since my business was established prior to any moratorium or other action being taken by Logan County, I should be allowed to continue my operation, at least temporarily," he said in the statement. "Given the fact that they, the commissioners, were slow to act, my established caregiver business should be allowed to continue to operate until a public vote deciding the fate of medical marijuana is able to occur in Logan County. I legally provide quality medicine that truly deserving patients rely on to bring them relief. It appears that Logan County Commissioners want to make criminals out of Logan County's sickest residents." County Attorney Alan Samber was asked at the Monday meeting by the commissioners to draw up a resolution to ban medical marijuana in the county for their consideration at a future meeting. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D