More patient tracking from the Govt on the way

9NEWS.com | Denver | Colorado's Online News Leader | Marijuana tracking on the way in Colo.


DENVER (AP) - Colorado wants to set up a first-in-the-nation tracking system of medical marijuana purchases to deter people from buying vast amounts of pot and selling it on the black market.

Patients and marijuana advocates fear they will be harassed by a Big Brother-type intrusion as computers and video cameras monitor every ounce of pot sold in the state. Officials are also considering fingerprinting marijuana patients and keeping tabs on pot with radio-frequency devices.

"This is a matter of my functioning daily living," said Diane Bilyeu, a 49-year-old woman who sometimes consumes up to 2 grams of pot in a day to treat her chronic pain since losing her right arm and leg in a 1997 car accident. "Some days I need more or less. I don't know what business it is of the government's."

Officials say the regulations will provide basic protections to ensure that the system isn't being abused by drug dealers and users.

Medical marijuana has been legal in Colorado since 2000, but the recent proliferation of marijuana dispensaries prompted state lawmakers this year to pass a series of new regulations.

It is an issue playing out around the country with 14 states allowing medical marijuana and possibly more to come under November ballot measures.

No state has gone so far to track pot purchases from seed to sale like Colorado is proposing, and regulators say their tracking plans could be a model for other states. Montana lawmakers are expected to consider medical marijuana tracking in that state when they convene next year.

Specifics of Colorado's tracking plans haven't yet been drafted. Regulators say they'll have a plan by January to use video surveillance and a central computer system to flag multiple purchases.

Other ideas include using biometrics to track patients, requiring a fingerprint scan before each sale to make sure the customer matches the marijuana card. They are also considering mandating that medical pot include radio-frequency identification devices, somewhat like coded tags on library books, to keep track of who's getting what.

In addition, tracking could include requiring dispensaries to capture patient driver's licenses on camera to record their purchases.

"It's akin to the protections that are in place for pharmacies, or a wagering line at a horse or dog track," said Matt Cook, the senior director for medical marijuana enforcement for the Colorado Department of Revenue. "You need to maintain the public confidence in what is going on, and the only way to do that is through these systems."

Cook said the state has no clue how much medical marijuana now is ending up on the black market because it lacks central tracking. An unscrupulous buyer could shop at several dispensaries and stock up on large quantities of pot, with no way to notice that Patient X is buying marijuana from multiple businesses.

Cook described a scenario where a patient card is used to buy marijuana several times in one day from dispensaries located far apart. Under the tracking system, the state would be alerted of possible fraud and would notify all dispensaries not to sell to that patient until the state can verify that it is indeed the same person buying all the pot, which would be done through video surveillance soon to be required at pot shops.

But patients are vowing to fight tracking plans. They're especially alarmed that state regulators have yet to issue specifics on how the tracking would work.

"It seems like there could be an ulterior motive here," said Randy James Martinez of Commerce City, 42, who uses medical marijuana for diabetic neuropathy. "Why do they need to keep such close track? Opiate abuse is far more prevalent and far more destructive than any marijuana use or abuse."

A public hearing is planned on the tracking rules in January, but the tracking wouldn't require lawmaker approval because it would be considered an agency regulation.

A marijuana activist who sits on the rulemaking panel, Brian Vicente of Sensible Colorado, said patients and dispensaries fear an onerous intrusion and are still waiting to hear how tracking would work.

"Right now I'd say there's a lot of fear and a lot of confusion out there," Vicente said.

This would be pretty hilarious if they weren't serious.

How the Hell do you put a radio frequency device on MMJ, those things aren't smokable. My best guess would to put it on the container then all you have to do is change containers and throw the little bug in the trash and let them track the city dump ?

This sounds like one of those ideas a politician thought up that would be nearly impossible to implement. I hope the cost and logistics alone make this absurd idea political road kill.

If you haven't considered growing your own before, this is a reason to do so now.

black market?:wtf: you cant go to a dispensary and buy it cheap enough for resale what are these idiots talking about. almost everyone who uses it has a license. the black market is no more.


meded so you can mededicate to mededitate

The radio ID tags would be, in my understanding, for the transport from an OPCO to an MMC, not invididual patient meds. Not that I think they'd do much good, anyway.

It too nearly 9 months to get my card, and somehow they are going to competently track every MMJ transaction in real-time? :wtf:

The stuff's less dangerous than aspirin. It really should create no more drama than buying a bottle of wine.

there's no Black Market because all of the illegal users >bought< illegal cards and >BECAME< our (joke of a) medical program!

So many sick people. So many others "helping" them buy $400 ounces. Why, just today I saw the local dispensary guy drive up to the hydro store in a new Beemer SUV to get supplies so he could buy more hydro gear and help more people!

Now that's compassion (and 1284) at work, muthafuckas!

Smile, yer on Candid camera!

Ok,... this seems geared towards dispensary's, what about private care givers? If I grow 6 plants for my sister as her caregiver, how do they plan on tracking that? :wtf:

So, I was Thinking, as I looked at my card, What will the bar code on it be used for?

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Originally Posted by bikeTripper

It too nearly 9 months to get my card, and somehow they are going to competently track every MMJ transaction in real-time? :wtf:

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Hahahah

How true is that

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Originally Posted by blackhash

there's no Black Market because all of the illegal users >bought< illegal cards and >BECAME< our (joke of a) medical program!

So many sick people. So many others "helping" them buy $400 ounces. Why, just today I saw the local dispensary guy drive up to the hydro store in a new Beemer SUV to get supplies so he could buy more hydro gear and help more people!

Now that's compassion (and 1284) at work, muthafuckas!

Smile, yer on Candid camera!

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Bingo

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Originally Posted by MEDEDCANNABIS

black market?:wtf: you cant go to a dispensary and buy it cheap enough for resale what are these idiots talking about. almost everyone who uses it has a license. the black market is no more.


meded so you can mededicate to mededitate

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Your assertion that the black market is no more is absolutely untrue. Would that it were so, but regulation as onerous as that currently in place, (and the prices currently being charged at dispensaries, which are probably due in part to said regulation) will always perpetuate a black market, and is currently doing so.

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Originally Posted by bikeTripper

It too nearly 9 months to get my card, and somehow they are going to competently track every MMJ transaction in real-time? :wtf:

The stuff's less dangerous than aspirin. It really should create no more drama than buying a bottle of wine.

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shooooot aspirin and alcohol are not to be trifled with, that stuff kills people left and right...its like RAID for humans. thats the reason mj is illegal:wtf:


mr meded, mr meded is it true you tried pot in college...did you inhale?

smoked it alllll up, next question

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Originally Posted by senorx12562

Your assertion that the black market is no more is absolutely untrue. Would that it were so, but regulation as onerous as that currently in place, (and the prices currently being charged at dispensaries, which are probably due in part to said regulation) will always perpetuate a black market, and is currently doing so.

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you are most correct, however as long as dispensaries can charge between 10 & 20 a gram people will opt for the cheaper. im sure some of a black market exists, not like before the dispensary explosion. you go try and street slang your wares today and youll find its difficult. with the impending presidential change on the distant horizon, black market will return and it will be biz as usual for dea. buy your prison stocks now and recieve a 1000% yield in roughly two years...dear diary jackpot:thumbsup:


meded-quality organics-grown for potency, flavor and aroma

Since I have to wait 35 days and can't legally purchase yet, my ipso facto assumed acceptance and legal status for legally purchased Colorado medical ganja doesn't kick in for another 6 days. Because of this I can attest that the black market is still in business in Colorado.

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Originally Posted by MEDEDCANNABIS

you are most correct, however as long as dispensaries can charge between 10 & 20 a gram people will opt for the cheaper. im sure some of a black market exists, not like before the dispensary explosion. you go try and street slang your wares today and youll find its difficult. with the impending presidential change on the distant horizon, black market will return and it will be biz as usual for dea. buy your prison stocks now and recieve a 1000% yield in roughly two years...dear diary jackpot:thumbsup:


meded-quality organics-grown for potency, flavor and aroma

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I think there are just fewer suppliers on the black market. I know plenty of smokers who are too lazy to get legal since it's so easy to get on the black market. I don't know of anyone trying to make a living selling pot anymore, I lost those contacts when I got my doc recommendation a year ago.

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Originally Posted by cologrower420

I think there are just fewer suppliers on the black market. I know plenty of smokers who are too lazy to get legal since it's so easy to get on the black market. I don't know of anyone trying to make a living selling pot anymore, I lost those contacts when I got my doc recommendation a year ago.

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well they are making a living its just semi legal right now. these people were just itchin to do this. i would have a dispensary too if i could afford it, however i somehow got sucked into the world of general labor and cant break free...man, i miss the 80's. i think those that dont have a license are afraid of being tracked even though most arrests are made on growers.


meded-quality organics-grown for potency, flavor and aroma

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Originally Posted by MEDEDCANNABIS

well they are making a living its just semi legal right now. these people were just itchin to do this. i would have a dispensary too if i could afford it, however i somehow got sucked into the world of general labor and cant break free...man, i miss the 80's. i think those that dont have a license are afraid of being tracked even though most arrests are made on growers.


meded-quality organics-grown for potency, flavor and aroma

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I'm 28, so it just might be my peers, but I don't know of a single person that is afraid of the potential for abuse of privacy. The only ones who seem aware are MMC's and patients. Non-patients don't understand.

Unless people are buying quantity, I don't think most people are concerned with small scale sales.

I don't doubt that there are still a ton of maybe-legal sales these days.

The black market is stronger than ever.

I can't say I agree with this but it is an interesting concept they're wanting to implement. However, as one stated, how are they going to be efficient doing this if they can't even get thru the applications adequately? I think it would be good for some of those places to be monitored but what if you go to a private caregiver? Will they be monitored?

Most importantly, would this mean you can't go to a random shop to get hash/oil and other buds/products my buddy doesn't provide? I'm really worried about that because I am in love with my caregiver's buds and I personally think it's some of the best around in Boulder County but he hates hash and other concentrates. If I went to make my own, I'll end up spending more money and I don't know about all that.

Also, it feels good to be back to the "behind the scenes' look at the scene here at Cannabis Boards. I had to replace my HDD in my laptop and it took forever. Anyways tho, I get sooo much information on this site for mmj and it actually helps me (or at least I think) since I am going to join Students For A Sensible Policy at my school.

Have a good night everyone!! :rastasmoke:

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Originally Posted by blackhash

Why, just today I saw the local dispensary guy drive up to the hydro store in a new Beemer SUV to get supplies so he could buy more hydro gear and help more people!

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Dang, I guess we're not doing it right. My poor jeep has 120k, the rear end is going out and the tires are almost so thin the air is showing :) No, seriously :(


So far the state has added on a video system that has it's own secure room and other excessively wild requirements like point of sale interface. This is now followed by a "tracking system" of untold bazillion dollars in expense. Because the aforementioned video and point of sale just isn't enough tracking?

I wonder if the patients are going to have to pay for all that mess via increased prices?
Answer: Ummm Most likely...

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Originally Posted by MEDEDCANNABIS

you are most correct, however as long as dispensaries can charge between 10 & 20 a gram people will opt for the cheaper. im sure some of a black market exists, not like before the dispensary explosion. you go try and street slang your wares today and youll find its difficult. with the impending presidential change on the distant horizon, black market will return and it will be biz as usual for dea. buy your prison stocks now and recieve a 1000% yield in roughly two years...dear diary jackpot:thumbsup:


meded-quality organics-grown for potency, flavor and aroma

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The black market will emerge quickly if they start over-regulating the doctors.

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Originally Posted by Zedleppelin

The black market is stronger than ever.

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that's pure bullshit. The black market (from the time the first big CALI wave hit CO) is still running about 30%-50% down for the clandestine growers sending out of state. My CA friends are telling me market prices are creeping down on light dep and can be had for as low a 1600 a unit up to 22, down from a high of 32 last year


Kind bud will mean something like "micro brew" when big business fully gets a hold of ganja.

I can't wait till the next state worth living in loosens up and the people from FLA, MO, CA, OR..........etc........ move on.

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Originally Posted by HarvestHouse

...Kind bud will mean something like "micro brew" when big business fully gets a hold of ganja...

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Completely agree!

Micro-juana