Nearly 100 Pot Dispensaries Violating New Law - cbs4denver.com
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An image from one of the medical marijuana facilities in Colorado.
CBS
The state says nearly 100 medical marijuana dispensaries are believed to be violating Colorado's new law. That figure represents about 12 percent of the 800 dispensaries that have applied for licenses.
Agents from the new Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division fanned out across the state over the weekend in an effort to keep a handle on the new law that was passed last legislative session.
The law requires dispensaries to produce at least 70 percent of the marijuana they sell. That's to control the amount of the medical marijuana grown in the state.
Matt Cook is the senior director of enforcement for the state revenue department.
"We went around to the centers that we've identified that have failed to certify that they are growing 70 percent of the medical marijuana for the business," Cook said.
Cook said those found not in compliance face administrative action, including possible closure.
"If they don't have a grow operation at this point they are selling medicine they probably acquired from illicit sources," he said. "That's a huge concern from a regulatory perspective and absolutely we'll take immediate action against those types of businesses."
On Monday state regulators met with representatives of the medical marijuana industry to discuss the law and new regulations. They will include seed-to-sale tracking of the marijuana, including video surveillance and guidelines for the production of the plants that are safe to use.
"Those people that intentionally evade the rules as written do so with some sort of sanction or consequence," said Norton Arbelaez, Medical Marijuna Industry Group Chairman. "There are a lot of business owners that have invested a lot of money in order to really play by the rules."
While marijuana centers must grow 70 percent themselves, the other 30 percent can only come from other licensed dispensaries now called centers.
There will be public hearings on the regulations early next year. The list of those believed to operating in violation of the law is not being released.
The state health department says the number of medical marijuana patients is now about 116,000 -- meaning about 2 in 100 Coloradans holds a card
So releaf so you think it would be cool for the feds to handle this, or should Colorado handle it?
originally posted by releaf: "There are very few, if any, cases of patients or caregivers in CLEAR compliance with state law that are prosecuted federally. They make up a fraction of a percent of this community."
12% according to the State of Colorado currently are not in compliance.
Now Releaf, do you really want the feds handling these 120 cases? They have already stated that they do not recognize any medicinal value for marijuana period. They have also stated on record that they do not recognize states mmj laws.
How about you wake up and try this one: FEDS GET OUT OF COLORADO.
@releaf: Chris B had the support of state representatives, but people like YOU throw him to the FEDS.
You really make me sick, i loathe you.
Really? You're sick? You loathe ReLeaf?Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnLionCO
Why because they have a different view than yours?
Chris B is an idiot - he was then & he still is.
Who in their right minds would grow, what was it something like over 600 plants in a residential home, just down the street from a elementary school and in Highlands Ranch and then to top it all off - go on TV & brag about it?
Who would - an idiot would.
If someone is going to do something like, show some respect to your neighbors and get a place in the mountains or at least a place with some land.
And dude you need to relax a bit. Nothing wrong with people having different opinions. Certainly shouldn't make you sick.
I think the fact that the Feds aren't involved just goes to show that this isn't all doom and gloom. And it's federal courts that don't recognize state marijuana laws, but the DEA has been ordered to leave state compliant patients and centers alone.
Yes you're right, the DEA has been ordered 'not to use federal resources to raid those in compliance of state laws' but Obama appointing Michelle Leonhart as head of the DEA shows he is re-nigging on the administration's stance. They could have gotten a much more progressive person instead of someone who lives off the original arguments of marijuana prohibition in general. She is a bear when it comes to MMJ and quite frankly, I'm kinda scared for Colorado. I don't want to put fear into people and speculate on the what if's but she has made it clear she will enforce federal law. People are given licences to grow 600+ plants and the state won't fight for our rights.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheReleafCenter
Michele Leonhart one step closer to officially heading up the DEA | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment
She's actually being blocked currently, but she's definitely not the most marijuana friendly appointment. Do I think Obama said "Listen, I'm appointing her because she's going to take out medical marijuana in this country"? No.
Most people have little to fear from the DEA. Simple possession isn't a case they try in federal courts.
I wasn't aware that she is being blocked. It's the people with massive amounts plants who needs to be worried but I don't Colorado to be like California a few years ago. That was horrible and I'd hate to see any fellow tax paying citizen go down like that. That's the only reason I'm worried but I know many reps from states with laws in place are speaking up. I'm hoping there is some kind of law passed in the next year or so that protects law abiding patients/caregivers from federal prosecution (I got high hopes with little expectation tho).Quote:
Originally Posted by TheReleafCenter
That was a particularly unfortunate misspelling of renege. I loled.
You're right, that was uncalled for, I apologize for the personal attack.Quote:
Originally Posted by ThaiBuddhaMan
Prior to medical marijuana, news stories would say that you were stupid if you grew a few plants in your house. The main reason given was because its illegal.Quote:
Originally Posted by ThaiBuddhaMan
I remember years ago a story where they were bashing a doctor because he threw away his medical career because he grew a couple plants and got caught. Oh what a foolish man. Never mind the fact that HE went to medical school not them.
You have to be careful of blindly accepting social norms because they change quickly. Doing something simply because it is the law is not necessarily a good reason.
I don't see Chris B's high plant number, or the fact that he was close to a school as relevant. You say its a elementary school, what are 5th graders going to do break into his house and smoke his pot?
But the issue of the feds coming in could be a whole separate debate, you can see cases of it everywhere not just mmj.
I believe that nobody should go to jail for marijuana. Look at Marc Emery from Canada, he thought like you that the feds would leave him alone, but I guess he was just stupid for having a loud mouth so its OK for the feds to nail him?
Chris B's electricity was rigged badly and not within any kind of code. A Fire hazard for sure and I'm surprised that wasn't brought up.
His presence near an elementary school was stupid of him because there are other stupid people who think that plants near a school are dangerous (not my opinion but you have to agree there are stupid people who think that way). If you're going to do something illegal that involves what most people consider drug-related - best to do it as far away from children as possible.
And he knew he wasn't in compliance even with State MMJ laws as he didn't have enough patients to cover his number of plants.
Now Marc - that's a bunch of BULLSHIT there. I couldn't believe Canada sucked on USA's cock and turned him over to the US. Pure BS. Of course the shit that Rick Simpson is having to go through with the RCMP is a bunch of bullshit too!
The only people who should go to jail for MJ are those that know their product contains dangerous chemicals from pesticide use or has mold. A little bit of pm or mites aren't going to hurt anyone, just hurts bag appeal. But folks start using all kinds of nasty stuff to get rid of whatever disease or pest they acquired and then still harvest it and sell that now poisonous gear. Luckily I don't know of anyone who has died or even gotten sick (well back in the 80's the Mexican government aerial-sprayed fields with some poison that got some people sick - that's the only story I know of)
Anyway, my point was debating is great and I think we're all mature enough to handle a heated debate but there's no need to bash on a fellow forum member (unless that member happens to be T. Tipton - then bash away! Hate that fucker)
:thumbsup: