|
Medical Marijuana, 5/1/2010
Overview:
Colorado voters approved medical marijuana in 2000. Fairly inconspicuous until recently, why have medical marijuana dispensaries sprung up all over town? Why are these businesses a major issue for the current state legislature? Join Active Minds to learn more about the ganja-politics of Colorado.
Key Lecture Points:
• Passed in 2000 by popular referendum to amend the Colorado Constitution, Colorado’s medical marijuana grants doctors the right to legally recommend the use of marijuana to alleviate pain stemming from a “debilitating medical condition”. The law allows patients with such a doctor’s recommendation to carry a card that permits them to possess up to two ounces of marijuana and up to six marijuana plants (three of which can be mature). In addition, the law allows for patients to work with a “primary care-giver” for the acquisition and use of medical marijuana, giving these care givers the right possess marijuana for the purpose of alleviating pain.
• Initially, Colorado’s medical marijuana law functioned on a rather small scale. That changed in 2009 when the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (after legal challenges mounted in 2007) declined to create rules to limit the number of patients a caregiver could treat, making it possible for caregivers legally to possess larger amounts of marijuana. Additionally, under direction from President Obama, the Justice Department issued a memorandum stating that it would not prosecute marijuana possessors who were adhering to state laws which allow the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
• In the last year, Denver and many other Colorado cities have seen a burgeoning of medical marijuana dispensaries. This raises questions as to who is eligible for a medical marijuana card and where the marijuana comes from that these patients receive. This issue has recently been addressed by the Denver City Council and is a major topic of debate on the 2010 State Legislature’s agenda. The Denver Post identified regulation of medical marijuana as one of the top 5 crucial tasks for the 2010 legislative session.
• The major issues which the Colorado Legislature is addressing include the extent of regulation of: physicians, “care-givers”, and dispensaries. The legislature is struggling to balance the concern for those suffering from pain against the concern for a need to control a drug that is still classified as a controlled substance by federal law.
Exploration Questions:
• What are the pros and cons of legalized use of medical marijuana?
• What regulatory elements do you think should be included in any bill passed by the state legislature this session?
Reflective Questions:
• Do you remember when Prohibition ended? Do you see any similarities to that action and the legalization of medical marijuana?
• How have you seen attitudes change towards marijuana?
More to Explore:
• Sensible Colorado (a pro-medical marijuana advocacy group): http://sensiblecolorado.org
• Pro/Con Website Breakdown of Major Arguments: http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org
• Westword Coverage of Medical Marijuana: http://www.westword.com
Books For Further Reading:
• Gieringer, Dale, Ed Rosenthal, Gregory T. Carter. Marijuana Medical Handbook: Practical Guide to the Therapeutic Uses of Marijuana. Quick American Archives. 2008. 270 pages. This book gives advice on using marijuana for healing, understanding its effects on the body, safe administration, targeting illnesses, side effects and various delivery methods from edibles and tinctures to vaporizer pipes. The authors also describe supply issues, cultivation solutions and legal implications. Click here to order.
• Cervantes, Jorge. Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower’s Bible (paperback). Van Patten Publishing. 2006. 512 pages. This book brings together contributions from the “who’s who” of cannabis cultivation. Click here to order.
|
