Good News for MMAPR

Every time I start to get frustrated with regulation, I realize that regulation is a MAJOR step towards full legalization.

It didn't happen very well in California, and many of those communities are suffering from backlash in response to what was and mostly is a free-for-all.

I am not happy that someone is going to be telling me how to run our business, or is going to be watching me on our cameras, but cameras are better than outright prohibition.

That Colorado has been different, more organized, and more strict has pissed a lot of people like copobo off. I can really appreciate that. You put a lot of care and work into what you do and you don't want some politician stepping on that, but for the first time in a long time, conversations about marijuana are taking place in congress, it is a major issue that the public is aware of and if we can do this right then we are that much closer to having it available for all adults.

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Originally Posted by DenverRelief

It is my understanding that the advisory board removed language requiring that the doctor writing the recommendation be the patient's primary care physician.

They tried to get that language into HB1284 and SB109 also, but it just doesn't hold.

I completely agree that such a measure would infringe on the constitutional right to safe access provided by amendment 20.

What first comes to my mind are people who are uninsured and are suffering pain. A big part of MMAPR's mission is to help provide access to patients who otherwise couldn't afford to get the medicinal benefits of MMJ. Many people can't afford insurance and thus many people don't have a primary care physician whom they can visit regularly. Or, as you said, many have primary care physicians who wont write recommendations.

The government cannot dictate what doctor we visit for our healthcare, and if a doctor is sympathetic to MMJ they cannot prevent me from making a visit or force me to visit the doctor again because I visited him once for a recommendation.

Many of these proposed regulations are pipe dreams in the authoritarian minds of our politicians and officials that, when it comes down to it, would be too difficult to enforce, and are in fact ridiculous attempts at dictating the type of patient who is right for MMJ, but that is for doctors to decide. That is what amend. 20 set in place, and try as they might, they won't turn this train around.

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I used to work in Medicine for a number of years as a technologist and in management for hospitals, Physician offices etc. and have testified or been aware of various law suits, or legal conditions set by a judge etc. and it has been my experience that in almost all cases medical trumps legal. :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by copobo

We need to remember however, 1284 got completely railroaded of any goodness. I suspect many of the same forces are in place now, but it does seem like they are considering some practical realities of the business.

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I think they have no choice to change and revamp 1284 because they see the numbers and they know they are down since July when all this crap started to go into effect and we lost so many good people in the movement. And it's coming straight from the DOR in my opinion because the see if they stay on the path they are on they will have wounded very badly Colorado's golden goose (it's not dead but it's not producing those eggs like it used to). And I would like to think and hope it's some Senators and State Representatives down there that know in their brains and hearts that the rushed through flawed legislation that has hurt many of their constituents, some literally have had their financial lives ruined just so these politicians would not be embarrassed in the press and seen as doing something, the legislative session has started this week, we really couldn't wait 6 months and then have a whole session the create a law regarding MMJ? They had to push it through in the last weeks of last years session because? Well the press said so there would be panic in the streets. Although they would admit on record (politicians) they hadn't even read the bill and then would have a vote. Let us all hope that some politicians with courage can get this thing in Colorado fixed and back in the hands of the people.
Did you notice after it was passed all those horror stories disappeared from the press? Classic reefer madness propaganda " Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it".

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Originally Posted by GratefulMeds

I think they have no choice to change and revamp 1284 because they see the numbers and they know they are down since July when all this crap started to go into effect and we lost so many good people in the movement. And it's coming straight from the DOR in my opinion because the see if they stay on the path they are on they will have wounded very badly Colorado's golden goose (it's not dead but it's not producing those eggs like it used to). And I would like to think and hope it's some Senators and State Representatives down there that know in their brains and hearts that the rushed through flawed legislation that has hurt many of their constituents, some literally have had their financial lives ruined just so these politicians would not be embarrassed in the press and seen as doing something, the legislative session has started this week, we really couldn't wait 6 months and then have a whole session the create a law regarding MMJ? They had to push it through in the last weeks of last years session because? Well the press said so there would be panic in the streets. Although they would admit on record (politicians) they hadn't even read the bill and then would have a vote. Let us all hope that some politicians with courage can get this thing in Colorado fixed and back in the hands of the people.
Did you notice after it was passed all those horror stories disappeared from the press? Classic reefer madness propaganda " Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it".

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and we know who to thanks don't we mr. butthead (aka romer) and friends....I surely hope you posters in denver don't vote this clown posse in office.

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Originally Posted by copobo

there was no goodness in 1284 for patients and caregivers who are not using the MMC model. All these folks got was taken from. Many patients who were being helped for free are now forced to MMCs or the street.

I would have been good with labeling reqs and health and safety standards.

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Some caregivers did step up to the MMC level to continue with their ability to care for more than 5 patients. I know that there are some that do still provide for indigent patients...although the legality of that is a "gray area" now. The new bill will have a provision to fix that.

There is no provision that states caregivers can no longer provide free meds.