Category Archives: Colorado

Hemp Bill Passes Senate, On To Gov. Hickenlooper

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On May 9th Mr. Lauve’s bill, HB12-1099, the Phytoremediation Hemp Remediation Pilot Program, passed the Colorado Senate with an overwhelming supportive vote of 32-2.

(read more here) Check out the comments too.

Chamber

 House

Title

 Phytoremediation Hemp Remediation Pilot Program

House Sponsors

 W. McKinley (D)

Senate Sponsors

 S. Williams (D)
L. Tochtrop (D)

Description

 The chair of the agriculture, livestock, and natural resources committee in the house of representatives and the chair of the agriculture, natural resources, and energy committee in the senate will appoint 7 members to the industrial hemp remediation pilot program committee (committee). The committee will establish an industrial hemp remediation pilot program (pilot program) to study how soils and water may be made more pristine and healthy by phytoremediation, removal of contaminants, and rejuvenation through the growth of industrial hemp. The committee consists of members with various scientific backgrounds and with knowledge about the growth of industrial hemp. The growth of industrial hemp is prohibited until the commissioner of agriculture (commissioner) approves the site chosen by the committee, the security measures that have been put in place by the committee at the pilot program location, and the cleanup plan for the site at the conclusion of the pilot program. The committee will make a final report of its findings and submit the report to the commissioner. The committee may accept gifts, grants, and donations for the pilot program. The pilot program is repealed on July 1, 2022.

Amendments out of Committee

Bill News

 None

House Committee

 Local Government

Senate Committee

 Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy

Status

 Senate ThirdReadingPassed (05/09/2012)

Link to Full Text

 Full Text of Bill (05/09/2012)

Link to Lobbyists

 Lobbyists

Link to Bill Versions

 Bill Versions

Link to Fiscal Notes

 Fiscal Notes (04/16/2012)

Link to History

 History

House Votes

 House Votes

Senate Votes

 Senate Votes

Vote Totals

 Vote Totals by Party

01/18/2012 Introduced In House – Assigned to Local Government
02/13/2012 House Committee on Local Government Refer Unamended to Appropriations
Vote of 11-0 a unanimous approval

04/10/2012 House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
Vote of 10-3 in favor of the bill

04/12/2012 House Second Reading Laid Over Daily
04/17/2012 House Second Reading Passed with Amendments
04/18/2012 House Third Reading Laid Over Daily
04/24/2012 House Third Reading Passed
Vote of 56-8-1 in favor of the bill (for-against-absent)

04/25/2012 Introduced In Senate – Assigned to Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy
05/02/2012 Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Refer Unamended to Legislative Council
Vote of 6-0-1 a unanimous approval (for-against-absent)

05/04/2012 Senate Committee on Legislative Council Refer Unamended to Finance
05/04/2012 Senate Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations
05/04/2012 Senate Committee on Finance Re-Refer Unamended to Appropriations
05/07/2012 Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
Vote of 8-1 in favor of the bill

05/08/2012 Senate Second Reading Special Order – Passed
05/09/2012 Senate Third Reading Reconsidered
05/09/2012 Senate Third Reading Passed
05/09/2012 Senate Third Reading Passed
Vote of 32-2 in favor of the bill

Final Votes by Party for Bill: HB12-1099

Party

Yes

No

Excused
Democrats 51 0 1
Republicans 38 10 0

 

Lobbyists for HB12-1099

#

Lobbyist Name

Date

Position

Principal

 

1 BERRY, TRAVIS DAVID 01/2012 Monitoring THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
2 BOYDSTON, BRENT 01/2012 Supporting COLORADO FARM BUREAU
3 CHASE, SCOTT M 03/2012 Monitoring THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
4 COLE, JAMES J. 02/2012 Supporting COUNTY OF WELD, COLORADO
5 Colglazier, Nicholas 01/2012 Supporting Colorado Farm Bureau
6 COLORADO LEGISLATIVE SERVICES,
LLC		 02/2012 Supporting COUNTY OF WELD, COLORADO
7 ERBERT LEE, RACHEL 03/2012 Monitoring THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
8 JENSEN PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
ANNMARIE JENSEN		 02/2012 Monitoring COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE
9 LAYTON, MELANIE M. 01/2012 Supporting COUNTY OF WELD, COLORADO
10 MILLER, KARA DIANNE 02/2012 Monitoring MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY GROUP
11 OKEEFE, MARGARET-MARY S 02/2012 Monitoring CBA
12 POLITICALWORKS, LLC 03/2012 Monitoring THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
13 TOMLINSON, DANNY L 03/2012 Monitoring COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
14 VORTHMANN, GARIN 02/2012 Supporting COUNTY OF WELD, COLORADO

 

US Should Allow Hemp Farming

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To the Editor:
In a recent press release opposing legislation to allow farmers to grow industrial hemp, the White House drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, has shown a stunning ignorance about the plant, stating ”all parts of the plant, including hemp, can contain THC (a psychoactive ingredient in marijuana), a Schedule I controlled substance.” In the world of scientific reality, the amounts of THC found in industrial hemp – even in the flowers – are so minute as to be meaningless. But the amounts of THC found in hemp fiber are so low as to be undetectable, which is why hemp fiber products are legal in the United States.

A few examples of the usefulness of industrial hemp are in order. Because of its resistance to degrading, American hemp was the best product for ship’s ropes and rigging during our American Revolution and financed a large part of it. The oil from pressed hemp seeds is both nutritious (highest plant source of omega-3 fatty acids) and can be used as a diesel biofuel. The resultant seed cake rivals soy as a protein source and has essential amino acids. The long fibers from the plant make an excellent source for fabric and high-grade paper (the original drafts of our Constitution were made from hemp paper). The rest of the biomass can be used as a nutritious animal feedstock. It has a thick root system with a taproot over three feet long, markedly lessening desertification (soil loss/runoff). Finally, since the biochemistry of the plant kingdom differs, the hemp plant does better with increasing ultraviolet radiation (think ozone hole), the rice plant does not, making hemp seed cakes a much more valuable nutrition source as we advance into the 21st century.

However, Kerelikowske also said ”America’s farmers deserve our nation’s help and support to ensure rural America’s prosperity and vitality.”

Every other industrial nation allows hemp farming. In a time of economic recession, we should be promoting industrial hemp for its economic potential, especially since the American climate is very suitable for producing high quality hemp and the world market is growing.

The simplest and most effective way to start this economic progress is to completely remove hemp from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration drug Schedule I, which prohibits it. This change could be made immediately by a presidential order to the DEA drug czar.

I remember President Obama campaigning on effective change. The time to start is now.

Gene Tinelli
Jamesville

Is Colorado University of Boulder Violating Constitution? Looks Like It!

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CU Boulder has been the location for the 4/20 right to use Cannabis protests for years and now they want to violate our Constitutionally protected Rights.

This is a quote pulled from the Denver Post yesterday: (link)

DP used this picture of the American Flag, which is appropriate.

Those not affiliated with CU-Boulder will not be permitted on campus and face tickets for trespassing. Those cited for trespassing face punishment of up to six months in jail and a $750 fine. District Attorney Stan Garnett has discussed April 20 enforcement operations with CU Police officials. His office will handle the prosecution of those who receive tickets. “As always, the District Attorney’s Office will work to support the efforts of the CU Police Department,” Garnett said.”

This is only weeks after Boulder D.A Stan Garnett sent U.S. Attorney John Walsh a letter that sent a very different and encouraging message. In the letter, Garnett recommended law enforcement focus instead on “terrorism, serious economic crime, organized crime and serious drug dealing (involving significant amounts of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine).”

The threats are now directed back at We The People for walking on CU Boulder’s campus, an activity the public has participated in since the campus opened as a public institution in 1877. This is a direct attack on our Rights and must be confronted with truth and education.

It is strange how law enforcement has stepped up their threats and how they refuse to protect the will of the people, especially as we head towards November’s elections and a vote to possibly legalize Cannabis in Colorado.  This is a free speech issue and 420 is a protest expressing the problems with Cannabis prohibition.

Stan Garnett may be doing his job and we must do ours, this is still a movement and that movement requires WE THE PEOPLE to stand up and protest against what is inherently wrong and stand up for that which is in our best interests.

America is amazing because we have the right to express our individual beliefs in regards to our health, religion and in regards to using Cannabis as we choose, among so many other areas. Remove the government from our bodies and lifestyles!

Stan Garnett sent me a Facebook message, “The issues with 4/20 are public safety/public order issues, not use of marijuana issues. I think the whole 4/20 event is counterproductive to the legalization effort, but we will treat whatever tickets we get individually and on a case by case basis.”

This is not about my personal opinion of the legalization effort, it is about the right of WE THE PEOPLE to protest.  I agree that public safety is a very important issue and should be handled as such. These include simple services such as access to bathrooms and first aid as well as peace officers stationed in places where people can get help if they need it, among other things. In past years of the 420 protest, there have been few safety/public order issues and the closure is unwarranted.

In fact, the response of CU Police could result in a riot. With a potential attendance of over 15,000 people and the probability that police will violate people’s Rights, the likelihood of problems is increased substantially.

There are quite a few problems with what CU Police are threatening to do. Many people walk through CU Boulder as it is right in the middle of the city, do they are they going to be given tickets for trespassing? Sounds like unfair treatment and use of a law.

At this point, if you get a ticket, take it to court and fight it. Unfortunately this will cost the city quite a bit of money either way. Keep in mind we have a weak economy and the city will do what they can to take more from you. One person said that this is another way to extort more money from the public.

Stan Garnett did respond to my request for an interview and we are aiming to meet this week. I plan to address the communication with John Walsh as well as the situation that is being created by the 420 events in Boulder. I am hoping a positive relationship, between the city and the people, can result from this years protest.

CU Boulder should retract this IMMEDIATELY, before the police create a situation where a riot may start.  Try working with us as people and things will get better instead of worse. Government control is too totalitarian at this time and WE THE PEOPLE must STAND UP to protect our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS!

From what I understand, the government is not allowed to discriminate against activities due to the controversial content of the message. If we demonstrate that similar events have been allowed in the past, in which their was city involvement, that can be used as precedence, and that the government is involved in selective enforcement.

Please write letters NOW to the media demanding a retraction of the 420 articles and that a CORRECTION is printed saying this is a CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED PROTEST!

iCannabisRadio.com

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What We’ve Been Up To…

A lot of changes have been going on at iCannabisRadio.com. We have added new shows, changed up our production team, and are now trying to promote ourselves as a station that offers all kinds of information on issues including law advice, cooking, current events ,health topics, cannabis and much more. We recently have had interviews with former New Mexico governor and current presidential candidate Gary Johnson as well as Dennis Peron and NJ Weedman. We have also had interviews with the Stanley Brothers of the National Geographic Channel’s “American Weed.” We are attempting to broaden our audience base and we’re excited to hear that we had won Best Radio to tune into while you’re tuning out by The Westword. This was a great honor for us and we hope to continue to move forward to provide better information and entertainment for our listeners.

Our current shows include:

  • Georgia and Amy
  • Cannabis Health News Magazine
  • The Edson Report
  • Sex Pot Radio
  • Thunderdome Radio
  • Overgrow the Radio
  • Behind the Curtain

And we hope to add more shows to the line-up for our listeners to enjoy.

Free membership with ACT4CO.org

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The ACT4CO Board of Directors has decided to pursue a rather radical approach to membership in a business organization. We know how much of a struggle it is to meet the financial burdens placed on you by state, local, and now the federal governments.

Accordingly, we are no longer going to require membership dues to belong to ACT4CO.

Does that mean that we don’t need money?
No, as an organization we still need money to support the association, and industry. However we are going to ask for donations at our events and for some of the services and products we will offer. You get to decide how valuable something is to you and contribute what you can.

We are currently working on another series of educational seminars and will launch it as soon as we are able to have a way of broadcasting it to the entire Colorado cannabis community. That way you will not have to be in Denver to get the information. Additionally, we are working on a way to store these presentations on our website so you can look them up and download them for a nominal fee.
On the legislative front, we are relying on the strength of our growing membership and volunteer citizen lobbying efforts by our board to influence the direction of any state legislation affecting our patients and industry. We are also working with others in the cannabis community and beyond to build coalitions that can help protect and nurture our fledgling industry. Currently, that means ensuring the Responsible Vendor bill gets approved in a manner that enables anyone to develop a curriculuum and teach their program. It also means working to ensure the DUID bill does not adversely effect patients.

5 COMPLIANCE ISSUES
I’ve done about a dozen compliance assessments in the past few months. I know that the centers I’ve assessed are wanting to comply the rules otherwise they would not have asked me to do these reviews to be prepared for the MMED inspection. Still, I have found some commonalities in folks not understanding or misinterpreting the rules. I urge you to go to the ACT4CO website to see some key compliance issues that I am concerned about on behalf of the industry.

Additionally, ACT4CO is scheduling another compliance seminar for the evening of April 11th, so reserve that date on your calendars. This will be a reprise of the seminar we offered at the end of last year in which I presented a detailed review of the 120 point compliance checklist I created. The checklist will be available to all who attend for free. It is also going to be available on the website for a nominal fee.
We are working to get the seminar broadcast on line so folks outside of the Denver metro area will be able to get the information too. We will have an announcement prior to the meeting to let you know how to participate in the seminar. We also expect to be able to have a video recording of the seminar posted on our website.

MMED REQUEST FOR INPUT
Yesterday I, as a member of the MMED advisory workgroup, received an email from the MMED requesting a response to the following 5 questions. I would like to have your input on these questions so I can coallate and present them with the MMED on your behalf.

Here are the questions:

  1. What do you feel are the top six rules that are cumbersome, inefficient, or difficult to understand or put into practice?
  2. Why do these rules concern you? 

  3. What rules do you feel work well?
  4. Why do these rules work well for you?

Please send me your responses via email ASAP.

Nicholas King, President
nickking@act4co.org

The Feds are coming, the Feds are coming (Gallup, Gallup, gallup)

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This is where we need to stand up together as a community and demand that that John Walsh show us the research and data, put your money where your mouth is, show us the data. The data can be spun in so many ways and until the information is put on the table by the Federal Government and WE THE PEOPLE make OUR decision about this issue this is unresolved.

The protection of our children and young people is of our utmost concern and to continue with the rhetoric that is spewing from the federal servants is to harm our children in the worst way. Our children see through the propaganda and lies that have been propagated for so many years, why do you think that we are at this point anyway?

I love you as a human, but your propaganda is profound.The “reason” there has been an increase in use with teens is due to the fact the the age bracket, which did include teens to a specific age of 16, but that has been changed. It now includes an older demographic that does have a higher use rate, but that age group has actually seen a decrease in use of Cannabis in the medical states. It is all about how you spin the data. I want to see the data so I can respond to the insanity of the Feds.

(Read Here)

Being a Rebel: Letter to Colorado Senators, Re SB 117 DUID

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by Eli Stone
reprinted from The Mountain Jackpot, Teller County, Co.

Dear Senator and member of the The Colorado Senate Committee on State, Veterans and Military Affairs:

• In 2010, 600 of Colorado’s 3.7 million drivers were involved in a fatal crash. Of those… 600, 42 tested positive for active THC or inactive THC metabolites. Of those 42, 10 were also drunk, 3 more were drinking, 9 had additional drugs, leaving 20 THC drivers with only active or inactive THC in their blood at the time of the accident.

• The average fatal crash rate for Colorado drivers is 600/3.7M = 16.2 per 100k drivers. The fatal crash rate of pot smokers is 42/400k = 10.5 per 100k pot smokers. We can conclude that Colorado pot smokers are 35% less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than the average Colorado driver.

• Congress is considering offering ALL baby boomers a FREE hepatitus test…it is epidemic and many do not know they have it. The costs of one law suit for a mandated test being the cause of a blood carried disease would far out weigh the costs to Coloradoans to DUPLICATE evidence taking of some kind of a roadside behavior that impairs driving, i.e. already enough laws on the books to cover punishment for impairment on ALL drugs.

According to the federal government, Colorado had 612,000 pot smokers in 2010, with 400,000 of these smoking at least once per month. Since THC metabolites are detectable for at least 30 days, any of these drivers will test positive after an accident.

See the complete article with links to source material at the Canna Wes facebook notes page.

Please send your letter to the Committee members emails:

steve.king.senate@state.co.us, james.kerr.house@state.co.us, don.coram.house@state.co.us, randy.baumgardner.house@state.co.us, edward.casso.house@state.co.us, crisanta.duran.house@state.co.us, larry.liston.house@state.co.us, nancy.todd.house@state.co.us, mark.waller.house@state.co.us, lois.court.house@state.co.us

The Colorado Patient Voter Project: Hold Obama Accountable

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The Colorado Patient Voter Project

On January 12, 2012, the United States Attorney in Colorado, John Walsh, an Obama administration appointee, launched an attack on state-legal medical marijuana providers in the state. He sent letters to 23 medical marijuana centers, informing them that they were located in areas deemed problematic by the federal government and would have to shut down within 45 days. If not, the federal government would seize their assets.

These medical marijuana centers are operating in full compliance with state and local laws and ordinances. Since 2009, the Obama administration has said repeatedly, and as recently as December 2011 during testimony by Attorney General Eric Holder before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, that it would not use its limited resources to go after individuals acting in compliance with state law. (Read More)

www.patientvoterproject.org