Senate votes 6-0 in favor of HB1284

{Denver} -- The Colorado state Senate Local Government Committee took hours of testimony yesterday on HB1284. One of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Chris Romer (D-Denver), was quoted in several articles yesterday saying that the bill is designed to shut down 80% of caregiving businesses in Colorado. The Committee hearing started at 2pm and finally adjourned at 11:30pm. The Committee voted in favor of HB1284 and some of its last minute amendments by a vote of 6 to 0, with Senator Cadman absent.

Laura Kriho of the Cannabis Therapy Institute says, "This is a sad day for patients. Not only have they been sold out by their lawmakers, but they have been sold out by well-funded dispensaries, and they have been sold out by so-called patient rights groups. This bill will destroy patients' access to their medicine, drive prices up, and force patients back into the black market. The will of the voters has been ignored once again by lawmakers, and sick and dying Colorado citizens will suffer."

"This is taking patient rights back over 100 years," says Timothy Tipton, a patient advocate with the Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative "Things are going in the wrong direction. Patients in the 1800s had better access to cannabis medicine than they will under this new law."

In a departure from hearings in other committees, the Local Government Committee Chair, Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), allowed disabled patients to testify first. This was followed by several hours of testimony from law enforcement, including the District Attorney for Adams and Broomfield Counties, the District Attorney for El Paso and Teller Counties, the District Attorney for Jefferson and Gilpin Counties, the County Sheriffs of Colorado, the Colorado Chiefs of Police Association, the North Metro Drug Task force, and more. Most of the law enforcement testified against the bill, saying that they didn't believe the "dispensary model" was allowed under Colorado's medical marijuana constitutional amendment.

Several representatives of Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation, a lobbying group hired by a handful of well-funded dispensaries who have been "working with" Senator Romer on gaining concessions friendly to big business. CMMR testified in favor of HB1284, but was against a dozen or so last-minute amendments to the bill that Senator Romer surprised them with that morning. Also testifying on the CMMR team was Brian Vicente from Sensible Colorado, an organization which claims to be in support of patient rights. Sensible asked for several amendments, but overall was satisfied with the bill that would eliminate 80% of patient's caregivers, force prices up, and force patients to use only one dispensary for their medicine.

Laura Kriho, the director of the Cannabis Therapy Institute, urged the Committee to kill HB1284 and urged lawmakers to form a statewide commission to study programs that have been working locally and recommend a bill that had a broad base of support. Mark Simon, an activist with the disabled community, testified that neither Sen. Romer nor anyone else had reached out to the disabled community to get their input on the bill.

Others who gave testimony against HB1284 were attorneys Robert J. Corry, Jr. and Lauren Davis; Laurel Alterman, owner of Altermeds dispensary in Louisville; Miguel Lopez of Mile High NORML; Robert Chase of Colorado Coalition of Patients and Caregivers; and the Colorado Springs Medical Marijuana Council. The mountain contingent was well-represented with Kathleen Chippi, owner of One Brown Mouse dispensary in Nederland; Jessica
LaRoux of Twirling Hippy Confections and Mark Rose of Grateful Meds dispensary in Nederland all testifying eloquently against the bill.

The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee and then will be voted on by the full Senate. CTI is urging patient rights supporters to contact their state senators and urge them to vote No on HB1284. http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute....gislature.html

Sooner or later, some other people will figure out what it takes to make this stop.

"Those who do not learn history........."

isn't it wonderful, money can buy anything especially votes

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FarmerSteve

Sooner or later, some other people will figure out what it takes to make this stop.

"Those who do not learn history........."

---

just couple this with all the other stuff thats going on in this country atm.something has to give real soon.when will people stand up?

btw becareful of the moles they dig deep holes for you to fall in if ya know what i mean.

The CTI's notion that big dispensaries are eager to pony up 35k for a non refundable application fee is laughable.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheReleafCenter

The CTI's notion that big dispensaries are eager to pony up 35k for a non refundable application fee is laughable.

---

Not really. The BIG dispensaries who can afford it know it will knock out 90% of their competition leaving them the vast majority of the market!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lampost

Not really. The BIG dispensaries who can afford it know it will knock out 90% of their competition leaving them the vast majority of the market!

---

ditto

what a sad thing. i was all stoked to move to colorado and know i don't think i want too. lol. what is the logic behind this vote? ( i currently live in texas so i don't follow this stuff all that close...yet.) to generate revenue or what? again, how dispensaries will pay the $35,000 app fee? a handful? what a joke.

thanks for all the info.


-shake

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheReleafCenter

The CTI's notion that big dispensaries are eager to pony up 35k for a non refundable application fee is laughable.

---

Whats laughable is when this passes and these big dispensaries pay all these fees and invest money into more grows and the DEA busts a few of these large grows. Dont think they will sit back and do nothing, they are foaming at the mouth over this. And guess what happens when a republican president gets in there? The dispensaries created this out of control atmosphere and yet they are the ones being rewarded. I am advising all patients to not renew their cards as this has turned into a model about money that enriches a few at the cost of everyone else.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lampost

Not really. The BIG dispensaries who can afford it know it will knock out 90% of their competition leaving them the vast majority of the market!

---

This is exactly what patients choice, the farmacy and a few others wanted. I bet the 2 year residency clause will not affect them and I bet their money is still going back west.................I agree, we need to rally and vote as many as we can out.

THE BILL DID NOT PASS. CTI jumped the gun on saying that it did. It merely got out of the Senate Local government and Energy Committee and will now move to a full vote. There is still time to contact your state reps and senators to encourage them to vote 'no'. Here's a post I did today with the letter I wrote to my Senator as well as CTI's very useful links regarding figuring out who your reps are -- hopefully they'll get bombarded with well-written and respectful messages from patients and will reconsider pushing this hasty legislation through in the next 2 weeks. Contact Your State Senators About HB1284! | MMJ in Colorado

Anyone know what the "surprise amendments" are?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MMJinColorado

THE BILL DID NOT PASS. CTI jumped the gun on saying that it did. It merely got out of the Senate Local government and Energy Committee and will now move to a full vote. There is still time to contact your state reps and senators to encourage them to vote 'no'. Here's a post I did today with the letter I wrote to my Senator as well as CTI's very useful links regarding figuring out who your reps are -- hopefully they'll get bombarded with well-written and respectful messages from patients and will reconsider pushing this hasty legislation through in the next 2 weeks. Contact Your State Senators About HB1284! | MMJ in Colorado

---

Nice work, that was a really well-written email! Hopefully they'll take the time to read it.

I feel bad for some of these dispensaries that will have to go out of business if this passes!

Here's the response I got, clearly a little guarded on the issue but she seems willing to listen. Worth a shot, maybe your reps will be a little more receptive to the dispensary model.
----------------------------------------------------------
I read your email with interest and I appreciate the time and thought that went into your communication to me.

I have to admit that I am troubled by the proliferation of dispensaries in my neighborhood as is many of the citizens. I will however give consideration to your comments. I do believe that marijuana used for medicinal purposes is necessary for some individuals and I do not think that there should be unnecessary roadblocks for those individuals.

HB 1284 is a response to the fact that many individuals have been certified, or at least it seems so, to use medical marijuana that do not in fact have a truly debilitating illness. The constitutional amendment in Colorado allowing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been on the books since the year 2000. However, it is only in the last year or so that dispensaries have flourished. I know that Denver passed a citizens' initiative legalizing marijuana possession in small amounts. President Obama, has made enforcement a low priority as I recall. This may have collectively contributed to what appears to be a de facto legalization in Colorado. The legislation before the Colorado General Assembly appears to be a response to these events. Additionally, cities and counties are looking the the legislature to provide some leadership and guidance on the issue.

Anyway back to HB 1284--I'll listen carefully to the debate on the floor on the bill as well as review input from you and other individuals.

Sincerely, Sen. Paula E. Sandoval

Here is a complete list of all the Senators..........


[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheReleafCenter

The CTI's notion that big dispensaries are eager to pony up 35k for a non refundable application fee is laughable.

---

Seems like a small price to pay to be able to monopolize a half billion dollar industry.


zedleppin- Any phone numbers to contact these fine, upstanding politicians?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MMJinColorado

Here's the response I got, clearly a little guarded on the issue but she seems willing to listen. Worth a shot, maybe your reps will be a little more receptive to the dispensary model.
----------------------------------------------------------
I read your email with interest and I appreciate the time and thought that went into your communication to me.

I have to admit that I am troubled by the proliferation of dispensaries in my neighborhood as is many of the citizens. I will however give consideration to your comments. I do believe that marijuana used for medicinal purposes is necessary for some individuals and I do not think that there should be unnecessary roadblocks for those individuals.

HB 1284 is a response to the fact that many individuals have been certified, or at least it seems so, to use medical marijuana that do not in fact have a truly debilitating illness. The constitutional amendment in Colorado allowing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes has been on the books since the year 2000. However, it is only in the last year or so that dispensaries have flourished. I know that Denver passed a citizens' initiative legalizing marijuana possession in small amounts. President Obama, has made enforcement a low priority as I recall. This may have collectively contributed to what appears to be a de facto legalization in Colorado. The legislation before the Colorado General Assembly appears to be a response to these events. Additionally, cities and counties are looking the the legislature to provide some leadership and guidance on the issue.

Anyway back to HB 1284--I'll listen carefully to the debate on the floor on the bill as well as review input from you and other individuals.

Sincerely, Sen. Paula E. Sandoval

---

I agree with the majority of this statement, I have been a patient/caregiver since day 1 of this privlage. IMO this has happened due to Omba's statement and changes in Cali, 80% of card holders got that way when big money rolled in and contracted and or brought thier own docs to sign the hell out of people, with the mentality that there is strenghth in numbers, this may true, but the numbers need to be true for this to work. By this I mean it has to be medical and medical only, not recreational, that is a whole different fight and I fight both fights. I see dispensaries set up with neon lights and a bar/rave atmosphere and 10-20 individuals in thier early 20's inside buying meds talking about going snowboarding or skiing and I ask myself, "what is their debilitating medical condition that lets them do these activities?" This is why politicians originally got involved, now IMO they have found out how to get their hands in the money pot and further their political motivations with the help of the same big money dispensaries they will corner, controll, and monopolize this industry unless we make some serious responsible changes, one of them being getting rid of the big money and going back to legitimate doctors and mom and pop shops, afterall some of the best grown come from the small shops, not the mass produced shops. This is just my opinion and I am only one person, but I still beleive one person can make a change.

I'm free to take asprin with no regulations, no doctor recommendation, ect, and that stuff kills people..So I don't see why you need to be in a wheelchair or seriously ill to benefit from mmj. I think as americans we should have the choice to use a safer alternative to western medicine with no recourse..this has been used by people for 10000 years folks pretty sure it's safe. We probably would know the consequences of using marijuana by now.:rastasmoke::rastasmoke:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by headshake

what a sad thing. i was all stoked to move to colorado and know i don't think i want too. lol. what is the logic behind this vote? ( i currently live in texas so i don't follow this stuff all that close...yet.) to generate revenue or what? again, how dispensaries will pay the $35,000 app fee? a handful? what a joke.

thanks for all the info.

-shake

---

hey........welcome from a former Austinite.
:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Klonzinc

I agree with the majority of this statement, I have been a patient/caregiver since day 1 of this privlage. IMO this has happened due to Omba's statement and changes in Cali, 80% of card holders got that way when big money rolled in and contracted and or brought thier own docs to sign the hell out of people, with the mentality that there is strenghth in numbers, this may true, but the numbers need to be true for this to work. By this I mean it has to be medical and medical only, not recreational, that is a whole different fight and I fight both fights. I see dispensaries set up with neon lights and a bar/rave atmosphere and 10-20 individuals in thier early 20's inside buying meds talking about going snowboarding or skiing and I ask myself, "what is their debilitating medical condition that lets them do these activities?" This is why politicians originally got involved, now IMO they have found out how to get their hands in the money pot and further their political motivations with the help of the same big money dispensaries they will corner, controll, and monopolize this industry unless we make some serious responsible changes, one of them being getting rid of the big money and going back to legitimate doctors and mom and pop shops, afterall some of the best grown come from the small shops, not the mass produced shops. This is just my opinion and I am only one person, but I still beleive one person can make a change.

---

+1
:thumbsup:

Can we just have one running thread about the house bill? Mods? Are there mods?

I'd rather see a hundred threads with ten thousand patients posting than just one little thread. But I can see you're point, you're disp thread is hard to find now lol :D

I want to see some articles in the papers from caregivers and patients describing what this bill is going to do to everyone. We need more people ringing the phones off the hook and sending emails.

one thing that may speak to politicians more than the patients, is what this will do to the fragile Colorado economy. This is going to open up a bunch of commercial real estate and put a bunch of people out of work. Even landlords who didn't rent to MMJ enterprises will be effected as more space is on the market. This will also lower appraisals and revenues. There are lots of other business supported by secondary services to dispensaries (insurance, accountants, etc) that will take a hit as well. Less players in the market place is bad for everyone, not just the patients.

And these "thugs and thieves" Massa Romer keeps speaking of, will all be in need of another way to make a living. sweet!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TurboALLWD

I'd rather see a hundred threads with ten thousand patients posting than just one little thread. But I can see you're point, you're disp thread is hard to find now lol :D

I want to see some articles in the papers from caregivers and patients describing what this bill is going to do to everyone. We need more people ringing the phones off the hook and sending emails.

---

lmao +2:thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by copobo

one thing that may speak to politicians more than the patients, is what this will do to the fragile Colorado economy. This is going to open up a bunch of commercial real estate and put a bunch of people out of work. Even landlords who didn't rent to MMJ enterprises will be effected as more space is on the market. This will also lower appraisals and revenues. There are lots of other business supported by secondary services to dispensaries (insurance, accountants, etc) that will take a hit as well. Less players in the market place is bad for everyone, not just the patients.

And these "thugs and thieves" Massa Romer keeps speaking of, will all be in need of another way to make a living. sweet!

---

yea this will put the money right back into the real street thugs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by copobo

one thing that may speak to politicians more than the patients, is what this will do to the fragile Colorado economy. This is going to open up a bunch of commercial real estate and put a bunch of people out of work. Even landlords who didn't rent to MMJ enterprises will be effected as more space is on the market. This will also lower appraisals and revenues. There are lots of other business supported by secondary services to dispensaries (insurance, accountants, etc) that will take a hit as well. Less players in the market place is bad for everyone, not just the patients.

And these "thugs and thieves" Massa Romer keeps speaking of, will all be in need of another way to make a living. sweet!

---

I guess I am one of those thugs he speaks of, time to run back to the underground.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TurboALLWD

I'd rather see a hundred threads with ten thousand patients posting than just one little thread. But I can see you're point, you're disp thread is hard to find now lol :D

---

Please. If you want to lump us in with dispensaries that post their specials and run, that's not fair.

I just wanted to improve the quality of discussion by organizing thoughts on one "topic" to one area. Seems like that's the concept of forums.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheReleafCenter

Please. If you want to lump us in with dispensaries that post their specials and run, that's not fair.

I just wanted to improve the quality of discussion by organizing thoughts on one "topic" to one area. Seems like that's the concept of forums.

---

Let's just agree to disagree :thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheReleafCenter

Please. If you want to lump us in with dispensaries that post their specials and run, that's not fair.

I just wanted to improve the quality of discussion by organizing thoughts on one "topic" to one area. Seems like that's the concept of forums.

---

i can agree with some of that but the diffrent threads that are out here have the same topic at there core but split off into diffrent things.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TurboALLWD

Let's just agree to disagree :thumbsup:

---

Fair enough. :jointsmile:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by puntacometa

hey........welcome from a former Austinite.
:)

---

appreciate the love! i'll let ya know when i finally get up that way for good though.

-shake

The MMJ community must also be aware of SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 10-005. This may be on the ballot in Nov. It will ammend section 14, redefining the Patient/Caregiver relationship, narrow and resrtict the affirmitive defense ability of Caregivers and states that "SECTION 14 OF ARTICLE XVIII DOES NOT AUTHORIZE A RETAIL MEDICAL MARIJUANA OPERATION OR A MARIJUANA CULTIVATION OPERATION."
Please read, 4 pages.

http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/cli...=SCR005_01.pdf

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nosmo33

The MMJ community must also be aware of SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 10-005. This may be on the ballot in Nov. It will ammend section 14, redefining the Patient/Caregiver relationship, narrow and resrtict the affirmitive defense ability of Caregivers and states that "SECTION 14 OF ARTICLE XVIII DOES NOT AUTHORIZE A RETAIL MEDICAL MARIJUANA OPERATION OR A MARIJUANA CULTIVATION OPERATION."
Please read, 4 pages.

http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/cli...=SCR005_01.pdf

---

"PRIMARY CARE-GIVER"
2 SHALL ASSIST THE PATIENT WITH HANDLING THE EFFECTS AND
3 CONSEQUENCES OF THE DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITION, INCLUDING
4 ADMINISTRATION OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION, ATTENDANCE AT
5 MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, ASSURING THE PATIENT COMPLIES WITH DIETARY
6 REQUIREMENTS, AND ASSISTANCE WITH OTHER DAILY ASPECTS OF THE
7 PATIENT'S HOUSING, SAFETY, AND COMFORT. "PRIMARY CARE-GIVER"
8 SHALL NOT INCLUDE A PERSON WHOSE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE PATIENT
9 INCLUDE ONLY THE CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA ON BEHALF OF THE
10 PATIENT OR THE PROVISION, SALE, OR DISTRIBUTION OF MARIJUANA TO THE
11 PATIENT.


It seems that this ancillary care foolishness could be totally shitcanned by a simple waiver signed by the patient and kept in the Primary Caregiver's patient file.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nosmo33

The MMJ community must also be aware of SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 10-005. This may be on the ballot in Nov. It will ammend section 14, redefining the Patient/Caregiver relationship, narrow and resrtict the affirmitive defense ability of Caregivers and states that "SECTION 14 OF ARTICLE XVIII DOES NOT AUTHORIZE A RETAIL MEDICAL MARIJUANA OPERATION OR A MARIJUANA CULTIVATION OPERATION."
Please read, 4 pages.

http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/cli...=SCR005_01.pdf

---

so in effect this could open the door for leo.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by palerider7777

so in effect this could open the door for leo.

---

Yes indeed. This also eliminates all Dispensaries, or "Wellness Centers". Not to mention taking away the affirmitive defense currently afforded to both Patients and Caregivers under Ammendment 20.
I really need to brush up on Civics 101---This resolution "brings it back to the voters" as our Attorney General has said he wants to do. I don't know the process for adding this kind of resolution to our Nov. ballot. Anyone care to chime in on this?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nosmo33

Yes indeed. This also eliminates all Dispensaries, or "Wellness Centers". Not to mention taking away the affirmitive defense currently afforded to both Patients and Caregivers under Ammendment 20.
I really need to brush up on Civics 101---This resolution "brings it back to the voters" as our Attorney General has said he wants to do. I don't know the process for adding this kind of resolution to our Nov. ballot. Anyone care to chime in on this?

---

I think they would need a lot of signatures, like 50,000 to get it on the ballot. Curious what others think.