caregivers forced to register, have info provided to local agencies

[Zedleppelin]

As a participant in the industry I have to say that the benefit I have seen the retail model provide far outweighs any concessions we have made. People who would otherwise not have access have it because they can google a shop and go purchase meds.

You can't google a caregiver and all caregivers on here will not register because they don't want to be found or listed.

It is also my opinion that a successfully regulated retail model will be major factor in the future legalization of marijuana.

While I appreciate the feeling that we shouldn't have to ask the government's permission for what we consume and the medicine that we choose to use, it's just the way it is. They have the power.

If you are waiting for them to just give that up, you'll be waiting in your grave.

Cynicism often feels right, but rarely makes political or social progress.

We have to be active in forcing the conversation on our culture and in our society so that perhaps one day, people who grow in their house don't have to feel like they are doing something wrong or that they are criminals, and those who choose to use marijuana are doing just that, making a choice, not committing a crime.

Of course you feel that way, all your competition has been pushed underground. People of this state voted for a caregiver/patient model, but thanks to the dispensaries and their lobbyists that has been made nearly impossible in order for you guys to make money. My gut tells me if it went up for a vote that people would not approve dispensaries, maybe we need a new amendment to clarify exactly what people of this state want.

[senorx12562]

As a participant in the industry I have to say that the benefit I have seen the retail model provide far outweighs any concessions we have made. People who would otherwise not have access have it because they can google a shop and go purchase meds.

You can't google a caregiver and all caregivers on here will not register because they don't want to be found or listed.

It is also my opinion that a successfully regulated retail model will be major factor in the future legalization of marijuana.

While I appreciate the feeling that we shouldn't have to ask the government's permission for what we consume and the medicine that we choose to use, it's just the way it is. They have the power.

If you are waiting for them to just give that up, you'll be waiting in your grave.

Cynicism often feels right, but rarely makes political or social progress.

We have to be active in forcing the conversation on our culture and in our society so that perhaps one day, people who grow in their house don't have to feel like they are doing something wrong or that they are criminals, and those who choose to use marijuana are doing just that, making a choice, not committing a crime.

What a crock. Anyone who didn't have access to cannabis prior to the passage of amendment 20 wasn't trying. Possession of under 1 oz is a PETTY OFFENSE, people. Maximum penalty a $100.00 dollar fine. You can (and will) get in more trouble for speeding. Getting a " license" is far more expensive. The whole thing is just stupid.

[SoCoMMJ]

What a crock. Anyone who didn't have access to cannabis prior to the passage of amendment 20 wasn't trying. Possession of under 1 oz is a PETTY OFFENSE, people. Maximum penalty a $100.00 dollar fine. You can (and will) get in more trouble for speeding. Getting a " license" is far more expensive. The whole thing is just stupid.

That's exactly what I have been saying all along. You would have to get busted for possession 2 times in one year just to break even with the Dr and Red Card costs. If you get caught 2 times in one year, it's time to find another vice.

Now to the bazillion dollar question, If caregivers are within plant count and weight compliance, what is the big deal with registration? Of course I understand the desire for privacy, but given the choice between felony cultivation vs state registration it seems an easy choice.

[HighPopalorum]

Not a crock at all. To provide just one example, I'm a caregiver (the non MMJ kind) for an elderly blind man. Another condition prevents him from walking. Before he took my advice and got on the registry, he was having a terrible time with unreliable dealers and poor quality control. He was being ripped off. It wasn't because he was "not trying" but because he is a homebound disabled man in a rural part of the state. Centers have been a godsend for him, finally providing reliable access to reliable medicine at much lower cost than he was paying before. He's also discovered some hash and extracts that ease his back.

[AllenScott]

I just had a friend call me. She said that some caregiver friends of hers living in Arrapaho County got a call from MMED two nights ago. The were at the end of the driveway, said they smelled MMJ, and asked to be let in to audit the plant count and electrical and construction "Code Compliance". The caregiver refused the "inspection" and the the sheriff arrived and "insisted". Some electrical "code" violations were found (extension cords and circuit breakers near limit) and the entire op was taken. Nice.

And how about that U.S. Supreme Court ruling just recently giving LEO the right to kick in the door without a warrant if they suspect evidence is being destroyed! A LEO had "smelled" MMJ and when the knock on the door went unanswered and he heard noise inside so he busted in being worried about the destruction of evidence. Case Upheld. I "smell" weed and they don't answer when I "knock". I "hear" noise. I'm allowed to kick in a door. How on Earth would one defend themselves when the senses of LEO are held as truth?

[senorx12562]

Not a crock at all. To provide just one example, I'm a caregiver (the non MMJ kind) for an elderly blind man. Another condition prevents him from walking. Before he took my advice and got on the registry, he was having a terrible time with unreliable dealers and poor quality control. He was being ripped off. It wasn't because he was "not trying" but because he is a homebound disabled man in a rural part of the state. Centers have been a godsend for him, finally providing reliable access to reliable medicine at much lower cost than he was paying before. He's also discovered some hash and extracts that ease his back.

I'm happy for your friend and am glad he feels better, but if I was his "caregiver" in the manner that you are, I would've gladly provided the access he now enjoys under amendment 20, even before its passage. More to the point, anecdotal evidence is rarely a good basis for policy decisions. I can't count the number of terrible laws and regulations we've been subjected to because it's worth it "if it prevents just one person from suffering..." Your statement also assumes that the only option to our current hypocritical and disingenuous system is to go back to the bad old days of $100.00 fines and cops dumping out your bag instead of doing the paperwork. I'm not convinced that the passage of Amendment 20 hasn't set back our cause (or at least mine) by releasing some of the pressure that the obvious stupidity and injustice of the war on drugs was placing on our politicians to get their heads out of their asses. Oh well. Sorry to go all quixotic on ya.

[onebrownmouse]

What a crock. Anyone who didn't have access to cannabis prior to the passage of amendment 20 wasn't trying. Possession of under 1 oz is a PETTY OFFENSE, people. Maximum penalty a $100.00 dollar fine. You can (and will) get in more trouble for speeding. Getting a " license" is far more expensive. The whole thing is just stupid.

Possession of 2 ounces is a petty offense....it changed last year from 1 to 2.

[onebrownmouse]

No caregiver is "underground" as the constitution still stands. And people should understand that the word caregiver and the definition in the constitution are for people who are NOT qualifying patients, but caregiving.......patients can assist patients in medical use. Medical use includes, acquisition, possession, production, use, and transportation. the constitution further exempts the medical use of MMJ from CO criminal laws governing the "acquisition, possession, manufacture, production, use, sale distribution, dispensing or transportation of marijuana". Until we repeal A20, caregivers and patients are protected under the constitution.

Patients need to call themselves what they are patients---not caregivers---unless they are not a patient. Patients can still assist other patients. hb1284 and hb1043 address caregivers, unconstitutionally, I might add.

[AllenScott]

No caregiver is "underground" as the constitution still stands. And people should understand that the word caregiver and the definition in the constitution are for people who are NOT qualifying patients, but caregiving.......patients can assist patients in medical use. Medical use includes, acquisition, possession, production, use, and transportation. the constitution further exempts the medical use of MMJ from CO criminal laws governing the "acquisition, possession, manufacture, production, use, sale distribution, dispensing or transportation of marijuana". Until we repeal A20, caregivers and patients are protected under the constitution.

Patients need to call themselves what they are patients---not caregivers---unless they are not a patient. Patients can still assist other patients. hb1284 and hb1043 address caregivers, unconstitutionally, I might add.

So do you think that any number of patients can get together and farm? A large patient cooperative located on one patient's 40 acres zoned agricultural for example? How about a coop of patients renting a building and dividing all expenses to include time put in at "work"?

[Zedleppelin]

Kathleen is correct, the Constitution plainly states:

(b) Effective June 1, 2001, it shall be an exception from the state's criminal laws for any patient or primary care-giver in lawful possession of a registry identification card to engage or assist in the medical use of marijuana, except as otherwise provided in subsections (5) and (8) of this section.


They can pass all the damn laws they want but it doesnt change 'it shall be an exception from the state's criminal laws'. I have no doubt this is why people are still openly selling on Craigslist, if law enforcement thought they could they would be nailing people all day long on there.

Everyone that can needs to donate now to get these unconstitutional laws overturned Cannabis Lawusit: Patient and Caregiver Rights Litigation Project