Pubdate: Sat, 18 Feb 2012
Source: Fort Collins Coloradoan (CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Fort Collins Coloradoan
Contact: http://www.coloradoan.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.coloradoan.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1580
Author: Kevin Duggan

FORT COLLINS FEATURED IN MMD SERIES

Drama About To Play Out On National Television

The drama about medical marijuana in Fort Collins is about to be 
played out on national television.

"American Weed," a 10-part series on medical marijuana in Colorado is 
scheduled to premier Wednesday on the National Geographic Channel. 
The documentary series will follow several story lines, including 
last year's election on whether medical marijuana businesses should 
be banned from Fort Collins.

Television crews were in town last fall interviewing and taping 
opponents of the ban as well as proponents. They visited local 
dispensaries and interviewed patients about how and why they use marijuana.

Former mayor and police officer Ray Martinez, a highly visible member 
of Concerned Fort Collins, which proposed the ban, is featured 
prominently in the series. So is Scoot Crandall, executive director 
of the substance-abuse prevention coalition TEAM Fort Collins.

Crews taped Crandall walking around Old Town describing Fort Collins, 
its history and its values. He also was taped riding his motorcycle. 
Crandall said he'll record the program and view it later.

"I'm curious about how they portray Fort Collins," he said. "I'm also 
interested in how they portray me: I'm hoping I don't come off as an 
embarrassment to my family."

The crews he worked with appeared to be intent on presenting 
nonbiased information and letting the stories tell themselves, he said.

"They didn't seem to have an agenda," he said.

The Fort Collins ban passed with 52 percent of the vote. Crews were 
out on election night taping at a victory party of supporters of the 
ban and the glum scene at campaign headquarters of opponents.

Part of the series focuses on the Stanley family, which owns three 
marijuana dispensaries in Colorado Springs and a shop in Denver. The 
Budding Health dispensary owned by Josh Stanley in Fort Collins 
closed because of the ban.

Joel Stanley, who is responsible for the family's growing operation 
west of Denver, said it took time to be used to having a television 
crew following his every step.

Stanley said he had concerns about working with National Geographic 
crews, but he expects the documentary likely will show all sides of 
the complex and controversial medical marijuana issue.

"I think people are going to be able to make their own decisions," he said.

- --------------------------------

[sidebar]

INTERESTED?

- - "American Weed," a 10-part series on medical marijuana in Colorado, 
premieres at 8 p.m. Wednesday on the National Geographic Channel, 
which is available on most local cable and satellite television systems.

- - Information: www.natgeotv.com .
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart