*shrug*

Why are criminal background checks such a big deal? We do the same for everybody from barbers to liquor store owners to teachers. This might sound a little harsh, but I don't think felons should have any role in MMJ distribution. That five year rule is extremely generous. In my profession, as in most, a single felony or even some kinds of misdemeanors would end a person's career before it began. It is my sincere hope that MMJ caregivers, dispensary owners, and all people involved in this business are held to extremely high standards of personal conduct because of the position of trust they are in vis a vis their patients.

I could live with exemptions for felonies connected with growing marijuana, but it's not wise to allow the general class of felon to be health care providers, especially in an area as new as this industry. Felons should not be giving medical advice to my sick mother, or any other sick people, particularly if there is an underlying financial relationship. The idea of putting the most dishonest and unethical segment of our society in a position of power over the sickest and most vulnerable members of our society is.... well... fucking insane. There's no other word for it. Fingerprinting and background checks and felony prohibitions will help protect patients from conmen and thieves in the exact same way that they protect kids at school from sex offenders.

I don't mean to knock GM, and I think they should definitely proceed with a court challenge to this law, hopefully with other MMJ providers. I'm sensitive to individual circumstances, and understand that not all felonies are equally serious, but felons should not be allowed in this business. Too harsh?