9 News Trying to Get Into Dispensaries Illegally

[canaguy27]

Just a heads up to all dispensary owners and workers. I meant to share this yesterday after I had warned all the dispensaries on my route.

9 News is sending in people with bogus paperwork and hidden cameras trying to get into a dispensary. They are not signing the doctors signature, so keep you eyes out. I spoke with 2 dispensaries yesterday that were a target and there are probably more.

Email Deborah and let her know how you feel about it. I emailed here saying she should really investigate the millions of dollars of un-cashed checks at the department of health. If they cash a few, maybe they could get us a simple photo ID card, just like your driver's license.

This is on par with Jace Larson's tip to the DEA about Barkowitz for ratings.

[email protected]
303-871-1803

[ThaiBuddhaMan]

... If they cash a few, maybe they could get us a simple photo ID card, just like your driver's license...

I really hope this happens sometime. Would make it so much easier!

[Delta9Caregivrs]

9News is trash! I've lost all respect for them... What they are doing us gonna get them sued.. They are copying a real drs info changing the phone number to the 9news office and when one of these hidden camera souless idiots comes into a shop.. Owners are looking at ( very common) doctors name noticing it's unsigned and calling the "fake number" listed to conformin the person is a patient they say "ya he is"

if this were police that would b clear cut entrapment.. But it's media so they hav no class or ethics

also I'd look for a lawsuit ... I mean they stole a real drs federal dr I'd number and put it on fake paperwork...

Oh I'd like to do a story on 9news and show the state how disgusting they run the media... Not like there is a real story to report on now ( hb 1284 )

[canaguy27]

i wonder if you can have the police charge them for trying to use fake docs. iirc it is a misdemeanor, but it would be funny as hell.

[lampost]

i wonder if you can have the police charge them for trying to use fake docs. iirc it is a misdemeanor, but it would be funny as hell.

Yeah no shit!! Maybe you could get 'em for fraud or something...

How far can the media go for a story? Could they cash bogus checks while doing a report on check fraud??

Unfortunately there's going to be a story here I'm guessing. From my experience in some of the dispensaries I've been to... I bet at least 1-2 are going to fall for this.

[HighPopalorum]

There's nothing wrong with what 9 News is doing. There is no excuse for dispensaries allowing people without the proper credentials to buy MMJ. None.

[Adamkadmon]

There's nothing wrong with what 9 News is doing. There is no excuse for dispensaries allowing people without the proper credentials to buy MMJ. None.

Bullshit. Fraud is intentional. I'm pretty sick of people offering excuses for other's wrongdoing. Yeah, of course the disp. should check the documents. But what you just said is the same as saying someone who receives a fraudulent check is the one at fault 'cause they didn't catch it. Nothing wrong with committing misdemeanors... if you are the media huh? Slap yourself for me plz.

[lampost]

>>>There's nothing wrong with what 9 News is doing. There is no excuse for dispensaries allowing people without the proper credentials to buy MMJ. None.<<<

Except maybe the proper credentials are ridiculously easy to fake... and that's not the dispensaries' fault!

Why doesn't it constitute fraud if they are putting a doctor's name on a state form in order to illegally obtain medicine? Do you know what would happen if someone did a similar thing in order to get some Vicoden at the pharmacy!? That is prescription fraud. Even if it wasn't signed... he was trying to convince them and have them verify with the "doctor".

Is it OK for a news crew to forge a Dr's prescription and hand it off in Walgreen's for Oxycontin?

[throatstick]

Bullshit. Fraud is intentional. I'm pretty sick of people offering excuses for other's wrongdoing. Yeah, of course the disp. should check the documents. But what you just said is the same as saying someone who receives a fraudulent check is the one at fault 'cause they didn't catch it. Nothing wrong with committing misdemeanors... if you are the media huh? Slap yourself for me plz.

i'll 2nd that i think it should be more than a slap tho.people like that think they are high and mighty and think they know all.it's ok to them"leo"to knowingly break the law to see if someone would slip up then point the finger and say look look he broke the law that no good pos.it's ok for the one party"9news"to be a coward pos in order to get those"bad people".

see alot of times when people dislike something everything else is ok to them as long as that 1 thing in this case the dispensaries gets it.if it ment burning a baby at the stake to get those "evil pos's" then all is well.it's that type of think that has corrupted this great nation.

you know who thinks like this the most above all? leo,gov,state,fbi,dea,cia list goes on.i think from the post above we can see who is who?

[throatstick]

>>>There's nothing wrong with what 9 News is doing. There is no excuse for dispensaries allowing people without the proper credentials to buy MMJ. None.<<<

Except maybe the proper credentials are ridiculously easy to fake... and that's not the dispensaries' fault!

Why doesn't it constitute fraud if they are putting a doctor's name on a state form in order to illegally obtain medicine? Do you know what would happen if someone did a similar thing in order to get some Vicoden at the pharmacy!? That is prescription fraud. Even if it wasn't signed... he was trying to convince them and have them verify with the "doctor".

Is it OK for a news crew to forge a Dr's prescription and hand it off in Walgreen's for Oxycontin?

all i'll say to that is if you or i went and did something like this people like highpop would be like burn that mf'er basicly what any good ole leo would say. if you or i got caught doing such a thing thats exactly what would happen.but in their view it's ok for 9news you know cause it's just reporting the facts and all right?

[HighPopalorum]

Bullshit. Fraud is intentional. I'm pretty sick of people offering excuses for other's wrongdoing. Yeah, of course the disp. should check the documents. But what you just said is the same as saying someone who receives a fraudulent check is the one at fault 'cause they didn't catch it. Nothing wrong with committing misdemeanors... if you are the media huh? Slap yourself for me plz.

You've misunderstood. 9News isn't using forged documents, but incomplete ones. There would be no news value if the documents were forged, but otherwise in order. Also, investigative journalists do this kind of thing every day. Although undercover journalism should be subjected to a higher level of ethical scrutiny there is nothing illegal about it per se.

[Adamkadmon]

You've misunderstood. 9News isn't using forged documents, but incomplete ones. There would be no news value if the documents were forged, but otherwise in order. Also, investigative journalists do this kind of thing every day. Although undercover journalism should be subjected to a higher level of ethical scrutiny there is nothing illegal about it per se.

No, I think you misunderstand. If they have documents...incomplete or otherwise, they are fraudulent documents. Did the people who carry these documents in go see a doctor, get a recommendation for MMJ, and file all paperwork and send payments to the CDPHE? Because that's what they are claiming to have done by attempting to enter dispensaries without the proper paperwork in the first place.

From Wikipedia:

Elements of fraud

Common law fraud has nine elements:
a representation of an existing fact;
its materiality;
its falsity;
the speaker's knowledge of its falsity;
the speaker's intent that it shall be acted upon by the plaintiff;
plaintiff's ignorance of its falsity;
plaintiff's reliance on the truth of the representation;
plaintiff's right to rely upon it; and
consequent damages suffered by plaintiff.

Just because they do it everyday doesn't make it legal or right. Maybe it's just me but I weaned myself from the corporate media teet long ago.

[Adamkadmon]

Further more it has no news value for this fact alone. The only people who they can prove were let in under false pretenses were those THEY sent in. C'mon!

[lampost]

You've misunderstood. 9News isn't using forged documents, but incomplete ones. There would be no news value if the documents were forged, but otherwise in order. Also, investigative journalists do this kind of thing every day. Although undercover journalism should be subjected to a higher level of ethical scrutiny there is nothing illegal about it per se.

It is arguably fraud. They had them call the doctor (which was actually a fake number that they set up!). If you pulled this at a real pharmacy and weren't with a news agency it would be prescription fraud... I'm saying even if the prescription wasn't signed and someone attempted over-the-phone antics... that's prescription fraud.

[Adamkadmon]

It is arguably fraud. They had them call the doctor (which was actually a fake number that they set up!). If you pulled this at a real pharmacy and weren't with a news agency it would be prescription fraud... I'm saying even if the prescription wasn't signed and someone attempted over-the-phone antics... that's prescription fraud.

Exactly. This is just spin journalism and unfortunately they are perpetrating a crime in order to, in an out of context manner, show dispensaries as negligent when that is not clearly shown with this tactic. You want a real story 9 news? Go to dispensaries with NO paperwork or ID or anything...if you can get in like that, then yeah, show us that problem. Otherwise, all 9 News is "reporting" is that people can scam people and they know how to do it with the best.

[HighPopalorum]

Further more it has no news value for this fact alone. The only people who they can prove were let in under false pretenses were those THEY sent in. C'mon!

Obviously, the news value of the story is the exposure of crooked businesses that are breaking the law by illegally selling MMJ to people who are not patients.

That said.... rant on :gunfighter2:

I believe some of you are taking a small-minded view of investigative journalism. This is a First Amendment issue. You should not condemn these journalists without considering the social value of what they do. In the past, many journalists and activists have done the same: Walter Cronkite voted twice under false names to prove there was widespread election fraud. Journalists have pretended to be insane in order to expose abuse in state asylums. Gloria Steinem became a Playboy Bunny and told the world about the seedy realities of that business. Journalists like the ones at 9 News risk their lives going undercover to expose sexual predators, unsafe working conditions, government waste and all kinds of corporate skulduggery. Medical marijuana is a serious issue in Colorado; it benefits the public and patients to know if these businesses are operating lawfully. What if the issue wasn't illegal sales, but exploitation of immigrant workers? 9 News is right to investigate dispensaries using this method. There are legal limits to what a journalist can say and do in order to get the story, but it would be a troubling precedent were they prosecuted for fraud.

...and I'm off my high horse for now.

[boulderbud5525]

Jace Larson, the reporter for channel 9, smokes himself! I've got a friend who went to school with him and knows him and has smoked with him. He and a couple other friends went after Jace after the initial story on Barkowitz. They called him on his hypocrisy and he said he was only doing his job. This guy is a pariah - on par with the anti-gay congressmen who end of getting caught with a rent a boy or in the airport john. This Jace a-hole needs to be called on the carpet. Channel 9 is pathetic but they need to give Jace a pee test to see if he's in complience with their employment standards. Props to all of you regular posters for carrying the torch in this battle. i stand ready to assist in any way i can.
Peace love and Carole King

[GratefulMeds]

Stings and entrapment are bullshit tactics that never really address the root cause!:wtf:

[MEDEDCANNABIS]

There's nothing wrong with what 9 News is doing. There is no excuse for dispensaries allowing people without the proper credentials to buy MMJ. None.

well arent we high and mighty because your "legal" . it shouldnt be illegal in the first place. they are trying to discredit mj which has been lied about for 80 years and now you want to shun everyone who doesnt have a slightly legal license. dont forget where you came from good sir and more importantly where you are. at present time we are not legal we just have a buffer between mmj and local law enforcement outside of those confines you most certainly will go to prison. what i find most interesting is how the media never tells about the scientific and medical studies that refute all of these bogus claims about how dangerous mj is. not to mention these same studies that show mj contains compounds that cure, stabalize or halt certain illnesses, diseases and may possibly be the cure to cancer. oddly enough we dont use it at a national level. so if the market goes underground again so be it however you can thank morons and traitors to our country like 9news, leo, dea, the justice system, politicians, and big corps. for it.

meded is a hell of a drug

[Adamkadmon]

well arent we high and mighty because your "legal" . it shouldnt be illegal in the first place. they are trying to discredit mj which has been lied about for 80 years and now you want to shun everyone who doesnt have a slightly legal license. dont forget where you came from good sir and more importantly where you are. at present time we are not legal we just have a buffer between mmj and local law enforcement outside of those confines you most certainly will go to prison. what i find most interesting is how the media never tells about the scientific and medical studies that refute all of these bogus claims about how dangerous mj is. not to mention these same studies that show mj contains compounds that cure, stabalize or halt certain illnesses, diseases and may possibly be the cure to cancer. oddly enough we dont use it at a national level. so if the market goes underground again so be it however you can thank morons and traitors to our country like 9news, leo, dea, the justice system, politicians, and big corps. for it.

meded is a hell of a drug

Let's all just remember that HighPop is the same person that supports HB1284 and holds the CDPHE blameless for the backlog and $5 million in uncashed checks. I posted a very well thought out post as to exactly how this is fraud and he refuted it with non-speak about actual journalists doing actual journalism. 'Nuff said.

[Adamkadmon]

Obviously, the news value of the story is the exposure of crooked businesses that are breaking the law by illegally selling MMJ to people who are not patients.

That said.... rant on :gunfighter2:

I believe some of you are taking a small-minded view of investigative journalism. This is a First Amendment issue. You should not condemn these journalists without considering the social value of what they do. In the past, many journalists and activists have done the same: Walter Cronkite voted twice under false names to prove there was widespread election fraud. Journalists have pretended to be insane in order to expose abuse in state asylums. Gloria Steinem became a Playboy Bunny and told the world about the seedy realities of that business. Journalists like the ones at 9 News risk their lives going undercover to expose sexual predators, unsafe working conditions, government waste and all kinds of corporate skulduggery. Medical marijuana is a serious issue in Colorado; it benefits the public and patients to know if these businesses are operating lawfully. What if the issue wasn't illegal sales, but exploitation of immigrant workers? 9 News is right to investigate dispensaries using this method. There are legal limits to what a journalist can say and do in order to get the story, but it would be a troubling precedent were they prosecuted for fraud.

...and I'm off my high horse for now.

Your "high horse" is short and mentally challenged. Lol.

[Reenster]

I have a friend who works at one of the dispensaries that 9 News tried their bullshit on. The dispensary actually called the doctor to see if the patient was valid. Apparently they altered a legal patients paperwork so that it appeared that the Doctor did not sign it. The dispensary called, found out the patient was valid and gave the female patient service. I was told that the patient allowed 9 news to alter their paperwork. Also the patient in question was very difficult, did not like anything and made the budtenders job as difficult as possible.

If a patient allows someone to alter their referral not only should 9 news be held accountable for fraud butr so should the patient that agreed. I find 9 news tactics unconscionable and I do not have words for the patient that allowed it to happen. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[Stickybooger]

Well said Adamkadmon!

[lampost]

I have a friend who works at one of the dispensaries that 9 News tried their bullshit on. The dispensary actually called the doctor to see if the patient was valid. Apparently they altered a legal patients paperwork so that it appeared that the Doctor did not sign it. The dispensary called, found out the patient was valid and gave the female patient service. I was told that the patient allowed 9 news to alter their paperwork. Also the patient in question was very difficult, did not like anything and made the budtenders job as difficult as possible.

If a patient allows someone to alter their referral not only should 9 news be held accountable for fraud butr so should the patient that agreed. I find 9 news tactics unconscionable and I do not have words for the patient that allowed it to happen. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

I am confused. Was 9News sending in the actual patient with altered paperwork then and not one of their "undercover" reporters? If she was a regular, and it sounds like she was as they knew her and had experience with her, why was she showing her paperwork anyway? Most dispensaries I've been in only makes you show your ID after your first 1-2 visits and they check your paperwork on the computer... (Unless it's been months).

I don't see what 9News was trying to accomplish by sending a legal patient in with a whited-out doc signature? She was legal anyway... Wouldn't every dispensary call the doctor? And did they alter the doctor's number to 9News studios or not?

I'm confused. Seems like a better story before, but oh well... glad it sounds like 9News doesn't know what they're doing anyway...

[canaguy27]

Most dispensaries I've been in only makes you show your ID after your first 1-2 visits and they check your paperwork on the computer... (Unless it's been months).

some places have scanners that scan your id

[Reenster]

I am confused. Was 9News sending in the actual patient with altered paperwork then and not one of their "undercover" reporters? If she was a regular, and it sounds like she was as they knew her and had experience with her, why was she showing her paperwork anyway? Most dispensaries I've been in only makes you show your ID after your first 1-2 visits and they check your paperwork on the computer... (Unless it's been months).

I don't see what 9News was trying to accomplish by sending a legal patient in with a whited-out doc signature? She was legal anyway... Wouldn't every dispensary call the doctor? And did they alter the doctor's number to 9News studios or not?

It is my understanding that a patient came in with altered paperwork and a hidden camera and was doing so for 9 news. I was somewhat mortified by this. Apparently, the paperwork had been copied and the doctor's signature was blanked out. The dispensary called the doctor who did the referral and varified that the patient was legit.

I do not believe the patient was a regular at this particular dispensary, but was difficult to please once her paperwork was varified. As far as I know the patient in question was a first timer at this place of business.

The impression was given that 9 news was working with the patient attempting to uncover dispensaries that did not check the proper documentation. The name of the doctor was obviously printed in but the signature was missing.

This is what occured to the best of my understanding. This is a second hand account so some details are not available to me. I do trust the individual that told me of the situation, and he was obviously unsettled by the entire experience. The impression on got was their was an attempt to entrap this establishment.

[HighPopalorum]

Guess we'll have to wait for the story to air... awwwww...

[lampost]

Reenster thanks for the clarifications...

[telephone]

When is the main man Ali G gonna show up? :D

Ever see his UK Drug Enforcement and DEA interviews? :thumbsup: Classic.

Or even Louis Theroux for that matter. Fvck the News9 shite local news. I mean where the fvck is the real Denver news? Westword, gimme a break? The Post sucks small roundish objects in a scrotal sack too.

I'm a large mid-western city transplant.

Someone clue me in. Where's the real media in CO? This board? LOL.

[FlyinPolynesian]

This iz just a fat crock of Bullshit!!! Bottom line. Itʻs Amusing how 9news reportʻs about ethics in their 9 wants to know segment yet they are still the ones violating principle and ethics with this so called "undercover investigation".

[puntacometa]

Just a heads up to all dispensary owners and workers. I meant to share this yesterday after I had warned all the dispensaries on my route.

9 News is sending in people with bogus paperwork and hidden cameras trying to get into a dispensary. They are not signing the doctors signature, so keep you eyes out. I spoke with 2 dispensaries yesterday that were a target and there are probably more.

Email Deborah and let her know how you feel about it. I emailed here saying she should really investigate the millions of dollars of un-cashed checks at the department of health. If they cash a few, maybe they could get us a simple photo ID card, just like your driver's license.

This is on par with Jace Larson's tip to the DEA about Barkowitz for ratings.

[email protected]
303-871-1803

The media is all about sensationalism. They are not objectively reporting anything. They are self interested and they are not anyone's friend. They don't give a shit about you, me, the movement or anything else, unless it makes them money.

[Reenster]

The media is all about sensationalism. They are not objectively reporting anything. They are self interested and they are not anyone's friend. They don't give a shit about you, me, the movement or anything else, unless it makes them money.

Exactly, it's is just another type of yellow journalism, and attempt to make a story where there is none. Ratings is all that matters, ratings=profit and profit is king. The facts do not matter, the lives of the people they are reporting on do not matter, hell even the truth does not matter.

[Adamkadmon]

Guess we'll have to wait for the story to air... awwwww...

And you would have us believe that 9news will be HONESTLY forthcoming in their investigative methods...lol.

[Adamkadmon]

When is the main man Ali G gonna show up? :D

Ever see his UK Drug Enforcement and DEA interviews? :thumbsup: Classic.

Or even Louis Theroux for that matter. Fvck the News9 shite local news. I mean where the fvck is the real Denver news? Westword, gimme a break? The Post sucks small roundish objects in a scrotal sack too.

I'm a large mid-western city transplant.

Someone clue me in. Where's the real media in CO? This board? LOL.

Where is the "real" media anywhere? Lol. No, I know there are some hardcore journalists out there, but yeah, here? I think the the combined people of Colorado do beat out the media in this state for getting the real news out there.

Personally, I'd go with the Onion.

[HighPopalorum]

And you would have us believe that 9news will be HONESTLY forthcoming in their investigative methods...lol.

Well, there is a video, so I would expect you to watch it and make up your own mind based on the contents.

[Adamkadmon]

Well, there is a video, so I would expect you to watch it and make up your own mind based on the contents.

Fair enough, but there is a little thing called editing, still...interested to see for myself.

[ThaiBuddhaMan]

...Personally, I'd go with the Onion.

:S2: It's funny cause it's true....

[HighPopalorum]

Where is the "real" media anywhere? Lol.

With all the right wing froth about the evil media, the evil state and federal government and the evil Democrats and their regulations, I think there are definitely some Drudge Report / Fox News / Townhall.com types around here.

[MEDEDCANNABIS]

Obviously, the news value of the story is the exposure of crooked businesses that are breaking the law by illegally selling MMJ to people who are not patients.

That said.... rant on :gunfighter2:

I believe some of you are taking a small-minded view of investigative journalism. This is a First Amendment issue. You should not condemn these journalists without considering the social value of what they do. In the past, many journalists and activists have done the same: Walter Cronkite voted twice under false names to prove there was widespread election fraud. Journalists have pretended to be insane in order to expose abuse in state asylums. Gloria Steinem became a Playboy Bunny and told the world about the seedy realities of that business. Journalists like the ones at 9 News risk their lives going undercover to expose sexual predators, unsafe working conditions, government waste and all kinds of corporate skulduggery. Medical marijuana is a serious issue in Colorado; it benefits the public and patients to know if these businesses are operating lawfully. What if the issue wasn't illegal sales, but exploitation of immigrant workers? 9 News is right to investigate dispensaries using this method. There are legal limits to what a journalist can say and do in order to get the story, but it would be a troubling precedent were they prosecuted for fraud.

...and I'm off my high horse for now.


i agree with some of what you say but then they should do their job and expose the benefits of mj rather than discredit something that our people have been forced into believing through decades of propaganda and stereotyping. thats the real story.

meded so you can mededicate to mededitate

[TheReleafCenter]

On one hand, it's positive that they're showing how inadequate the paperwork most patients have to use (for up to six months before receiving their card) really is. We've spotted a few forgeries already, we're really anal already about things like out of state ID or original paperwork, but it's a stark reminder that it's pretty easy to forge something as simple as a rec.

Which is why I hate this story, because they took the wrong angle. Big surprise. It's like when the cable news show does a story about bomber, but goes into WAY too much detail about how to make the bomb. "Hey guys, we forged a rec and went and bought MMJ! Now you try!"

[Adamkadmon]

It's like when the cable news show does a story about bomber, but goes into WAY too much detail about how to make the bomb. "Hey guys, we forged a rec and went and bought MMJ! Now you try!"

Exactly, the real story here is the failure of the CDPHE and it's overseers to take some sort of emergency action to get the patients their cards issued in a reasonable amount of time. Like I said earlier they are just showing how easy it is to take advantage of people, in this case dispensaries. What horrible people to trust and provide medicine to someone who comes to them with paperwork, claiming to be someone in need. :wtf:


Don't let them keep pushing the ideas of crime being automatically associated with pot usage...that's what's happening here. Trying to paint it up like crack or heroine. "These junkies will do anything!" People scamming the MMJ industry, yeah it happens, minors get their hands on beer and liquor too. People write stolen checks at the malls everyday. Some dude in Morocco jacked my Gmail account and sent spam to everyone on my list. (It was fun to see his IP and boot his ass.) Let's do a story about that...oh wait, it's been done, a lot.
:jointsmile::jointsmile::jointsmile::jointsmile:

[fUNKYcDOG]

9news is garbage stay away from them.

[throatstick]

With all the right wing froth about the evil media, the evil state and federal government and the evil Democrats and their regulations, I think there are definitely some Drudge Report / Fox News / Townhall.com types around here.

i thought you were 1 of these types?you did say you were a rep at 1 time did'nt u?

[rightwinger]

There's nothing wrong with what 9 News is doing. There is no excuse for dispensaries allowing people without the proper credentials to buy MMJ. None.


That would depend on the paperwork they're giving to the dispensories. If something is copied--and from what I am reading from the OP there is no doctor's signature on the form? --then the dispensory should catch that--but if they're great forgeries--then there is a problem.