Sensible Colorado: Working for an Effective Drug Policy

**Amendment would have included PTSD as a qualifying condition**

We at Sensible Colorado are very disappointed in the House Judiciary Committee’s decision not to include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a qualifying condition under Colorado’s medical marijuana law. An amendment to HB 1284, introduced by Rep. Sal Pace of Pueblo and supported by Sensible Colorado, was drafted on behalf of veterans whose VA doctors are not allowed to recommend medical marijuana. Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence, and despite the fact that New Mexico’s medical marijuana law includes PTSD for veterans who live there, the amendment was voted down. Strong opposition to the amendment was put forth by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment despite the very moving testimony given in favor of medical marijuana by numerous veterans at last July’s State Board of Health hearing. We feel that our veterans deserve a lot more than this and will continue to work with Representative Pace and others to build support for this issue.

**VOTE ON MONDAY**

Did you know that patients can change their caregiver at any time?

Yes, its true! Should you wish to change your caregiver, or decide to have no caregiver at all, all you need to do is submit to CDPHE a completed, signed, and notarized Change of Address or Caregiver form which you can find here.   The registry no longer sends a letter to the caregiver confirming that the patient has made such a change, so its important to let your previous caregiver know about this action.

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, state lawmakers are urging the A.G. to bring an end to the recent rogue actions by the DEA on legitimate medical marijuana facilities here in Colorado. This is definitely a step in the right direction and we applaud Senator Romer, Representative Massey, Senator Spence, and Representative McCann for making this request on behalf of Colorado’s medical marijuana community. The text of the letter can be read below:

Dear Attorney General Holder,

As you know, the Colorado General Assembly is currently considering several bills designed to establish a legal framework to effectively regulate medical marijuana. Federal DEA raids of medical marijuana businesses, however, are complicating our legislative efforts.

While we realize it is unrealistic — and frankly unwise — to ask the Justice Department to suspend investigation or prosecution of those engaged in the trafficking and distribution of “recreational” marijuana, we hope you will consider imposing a moratorium on medical marijuana sector raids. These raids discourage dispensary operators, caregivers, growers and patients from providing testimony or recommendations to state lawmakers, hampering our ability to develop a workable and realistic regulatory arrangement for medical marijuana.

Again, we strongly support the efforts of state and federal law enforcement as they investigate, arrest, and prosecute the violent gangs and other criminal enterprises engaged in the illegitimate importation, production, and distribution of black market drugs. However, we believe it is a mistake to put the activities of the legitimate medical marijuana community in the same category as these criminal conglomerates.

We appreciate the Administration’s recognition of the very complex waters we are attempting to navigate between the Colorado Constitution and federal drug policy, and ask for your patience as we attempt to find that rational middle ground.

Thank you in advance for your assistance, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Chris Romer
State Senator

Tom Massey
State Representative

Nance Spence
State Senator

Beth McCann
State Representative

Cc: President Barack Obama
Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.
Attorney General John Suthers
US Attorney David M. Gaouette
Resident Agent in Charge Tom Gorman, DEA
Special Agent Jeffrey Sweetin, DEA
Senate President Brandon Shaffer
Senator Joshua Penry
Senator John Morse
Speaker Terrance Carroll
Representative Paul Weissmann
Representative Mike May

**Hearing Thursday at 1:30 PM**