Projects

Help Veterans Access Medical Marijuana in Colorado

Attention Veterans, those who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and supporters:

As you may remember during the recent debate over HB-1284, an amendment was introduced that would have added Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to the list of qualifying conditions under Colorado’s medical marijuana law. Despite the mountain of scientific evidence, and the very moving testimony of over fifty veterans at the Board of Health meeting last July, the state’s Chief Medical Officer, Ned Calonge, campaigned very aggressively against this amendment resulting in the House Judiciary Committee rejecting it by a vote of 6-5.

In response to this irresponsible disregard for our veterans’ well being, Sensible Colorado and allies have drafted a petition that will soon be submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to include PTSD as a qualifying condition under the state’s medical marijuana program.

We are seeking veterans to assist with this effort, so, if you are a veteran who supports this issue, please contact Dan at dan@sensiblecolorado.org.

We need your help in the fight to protect safe access to medicine. Please consider donating HERE to support this important work.

Join National Experts at a Free Strategy and Networking Workshop on May 30

May 30th Strategy and Networking Workshop

The national non-profit, Americans for Safe Access, and Sensible Colorado are hosting a Stakeholder Meeting on Sunday, May 30, 2010 from 10 am-4 pm in Denver. (RSVP here!) The purpose of this meeting is to bring medical cannabis stakeholders, leaders, and activists together to discuss:

Challenges to the implementation of Colorado’s medical cannabis laws
Develop a campaign outline for solutions to move forward
Determine how we can work together to make this law work for patients
Get an update about what is happening nationally and how CO can help

This is a wonderful opportunity to come together– and work together– to guarantee greater safe access in Colorado. Please RSVP at: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/182/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=60719

Meeting Location: 4305 Brighton Blvd. (Exit off 70 at Brighton Blvd.& go SOUTH, the entrance is 1,000 feet south of the freeway on the right).

Date: Sunday, May 30th, 2010 10 am-4 pm

**Meeting space donated by Toni and Barry Fox – Thanks!

What do the new state medical marijuana laws mean for patients?

**Free statewide trainings next week!**

Attention Patients and Supporters:

Sensible Colorado will be holding a series of trainings next week to discuss the new state laws and their effect on medical marijuana patients. Learn about SB 109– the “Doctor/Patient Relationship Bill” and HB 1284– the “Dispensary Bill” and what they mean for Colorado’s 50,000+ medical patients. No RSVP necessary at these free events, however please consider donating to support our work on behalf of patients.

Denver Training

When: Monday, May 17 from 6-7:30p

Where: 1881 S. Broadway, Denver 80210

What: Free patient training on new state laws

Colorado Springs Training

When: Tuesday, May 18 from 6-7:30p

Where: Ruth Holley Library Meeting Room, 685 North Murray Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO

What: Free patient training on new state laws

Ft. Collins Training

When: Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 6-7:30p

Where: Ben Delatour Room, Main Library, 201 Peterson Street,

Fort Collins, Colorado 80524

What: Free patient training on new state laws

**Also please mark your calendar for a medical marijuana leader and activist “Stakeholder meeting” on May 30 in Denver. Join nationally recognized expert Steph Sherer (ASA) and Sensible Colorado staff in developing a grassroots plan to ensure safe access in Colorado. More details to follow soon.

Sensible Colorado would like to thank out project partners, thekindroom.org and marijuanapatientadvocates.com for helping to secure space for these events.

Dispensary Regulation Bill Likely to Become Law

On Wednesday, May 5, the full Senate passed HB 1284 which is now likely to become statewide law. Sensible Colorado opposed this bill and spent considerable time and resources fighting for important changes– many of which were ultimately adopted.

To help prepare patients for the ultimate impact of this legislation, Sensible Colorado will be hosting a series of free trainings explaining the new law (along with SB 109, the “Doctor/Patient Bill) starting the week of May 17. Please watch for future alerts with event details.

Important Elements of HB 1284 (**again, this is not yet law, but will likely pass its final legislative hurdle on Thurs., 5/6.)

1. Dispensaries and edible producers will have to apply for state licenses. After July 2011, these providers must follow new state regulations in order to continue operating. Note there are also a number of other crucial deadlines starting in August 2010 which these providers must meet.

2. Local governments can ban dispensaries. This damaging provision will effect innumerable patients across the state. However, Sensible’s legal team is already planning local campaigns and lawsuits to overturn bans. Click here to support our work.

3. Caregivers will be limited to helping five or less patients. Anyone helping six or more patients will have to register as a dispensary with the state– in a process yet to be determined. Again, we plan to take prompt action to fight this restriction.

There are many other aspects of this bill which effect the rights of both patients and caregivers, and we will be sending additional updates on these changes. A near-final draft of this bill should be available soon here. (Search “HB 1284″ and look for the May 5 version).

Crucial Hearing on Statewide Dispensary Bill

**Make Your Voice Heard**

On Tuesday, April 27, HB 1284– the bill to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries– will be heard in front of the Colorado Senate “Local Government” Committee. While HB 1284 would firmly establish dispensaries in state law, it also contains some damaging provisions to safe patient access.

This may be your last chance to publicly comment on the bill. Please attend this Hearing or contact the target Senators listed below as soon as possible.

What: Attend the Hearing to discuss HB 1284

When: Tuesday, April 27 at 2pm

Where: Old Supreme Court Chambers, 200 E. Colfax Avenue (State Capitol), Denver.

If you can’t attend, please send a personal message or paste the following message in an email to the target Senators (pasted below)

—————–**SAMPLE EMAIL**————————

Dear Senator,

While there are many positive provisions in HB 1284, I urge you to amend this bill to help protect Colorado’s vulnerable medical marijuana patients. Please consider amending this bill to:

(1) Prevent local governments from banning dispensaries. Patients need to be able to access medicine in their communities.

(2) Establish Advisory Boards within both the Health Department and the Department of Revenue to help implement this law. A diverse Panel of patients, law enforcement, medical professionals, and others can help safeguard both patients and communities

I hope you will strongly consider the needs of patients as you vote on this law.

Respectfully,

NAME

————–**END SAMPLE EMAIL**———————-

*Senate Local Government Committee Members*

Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), Chair
District 5 (Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale,
Mineral, Pitkin, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4871
E-mail: gail.schwartz.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Joyce Foster (D), Vice-Chair
District 35 (Arapahoe and Denver Counties)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4875
E-Mail: joyce.foster.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Bill Cadman (R)
District 10 (El Paso County)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-2737
E-mail: bill.cadman.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Mary Hodge (D)
District 25 (Adams County)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4855
E-Mail: mary.hodge.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Ken Kester (R)
District 2 (Baca, Bent, Crowley, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas,
Otero and Pueblo Counties)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4877
E-Mail: ken.kester.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Kevin Lundberg (R)
District 15 (Larimer County)
Office Location: 200 E. Colfax
Denver, CO 80203
Capitol Phone: (303)866-4853
E-Mail: kevin@kevinlundberg.com

Sen. Linda Newell (D)
District 26 (Arapahoe and Jefferson County)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4846
E-mail: linda.newell.senate@gmail.com

COPY AND PASTE EMAILS:
gail.schwartz.senate@state.co.us,
joyce.foster.senate@state.co.us,
bill.cadman.senate@state.co.us,
mary.hodge.senate@state.co.us,
ken.kester.senate@state.co.us,
kevin@kevinlundberg.com,
linda.newell.senate@gmail.com

The Colorado Marijuana Initiative is an ongoing project dedicated to educating Coloradoans about the cost of marijuana prohibition and developing new municipal and state policies that saves tax dollars, protect our youth, and increases drug abuse treatment and education programs.