seek 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:
- What do you feel are the top six rules that are cumbersome, inefficient, or difficult to understand or put into practice?
- Why do these rules concern you? ?
- What rules do you feel work well?
- Why do these rules work well for you?
Rep. Wes McKinley, D-Walsh, has introduced a bill to study using the growing of industrial hemp to clean polluted soil, a process known as phytoremediation. McKinley said there is some evidence that hemp plants can suck toxic substances out of the ground.
ACT4CO is getting into this fight on behalf of our patients and our members. Whether or not you are directly affected, this impacts are whole industry. Just because you have not received a letter does not mean you are home free.
PATIENTS, below is an email to send to your U.S. Senator or Congressperson.
January 23, 2012
[Insert appropriate Congressperson’s name and address]
Dear
I have been diagnosed with [state your condition] and am a Colorado medical cannabis patient. [describe how cannabis helps your condition] I am writing because of concern over the recent actions of U.S. Attorney John Walsh’s decision to force the closure of Medical Marijuana Centers in Colorado.
The voters of Colorado adopted a constitutional amendment to authorize the use of marijuana by adults for medicinal purposes. Our Genral Assembly has subsquently adopted the Colorado Medical Marijuana Code and established the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division to supervise the production and distribution of cannabis. Under Colorado law, local governments have the authority to allow or ban medical marijuana centers and enact by ordinance zoning restrictions that meet the standards of their community.
The Department of Justice has indicated that using limited resources to prosecute indiviuals in compliance with State law would not be an enforcement priority. This message was re-affirmed by Attorney General Holder at the House Judiciary Committee’s Oversight Hearing on the United States Department of Justice on December 8, 2011. It would appear that the actions of Mr. Walsh to use his limited resources to intervene in local zoning is at best misguided and at worst in direct contradiction to the stated policy of the Department of Justice.
I am deeply concerned that the actions of the U.S. Attorney to shut down tightly regulated businesses will only increase the demand for marijuana from unegulated sources and empower street dealers who will target vunerable populations.
I am as concerned about children getting access to illicit drugs as Mr. Walsh and I’m sure you share this concern. The regulated and secure model of Medical Marijuana Centers is the best firewall against marijuana coming into the hands of minors.
I urge you to ask Mr. Walsh to act consistently with Mr. Holder’s statement to Congress and our shared commitment to keeping children safe and reducing crime. Colorado’s regulatory model has accomplished the goals of providing patient access while also creating jobs and revenues that our state has used to fund drug treatment programs. The goal of protecting children is best achieved by asking the Departement of Justice to continue the commitment it has made to honor the laws adopted by the people of the State of Colorado. After all, it is our local communitties that can best protect our schools from illicit drugs.
Sincerely yours,
______________________________
Here is an alternative last paragraph if you do not want to sign your name:
Regrettably, I choose not to sign this letter out of fear of reprisal from the federal government. It is a sad day for our republic when Colorado citizens following Colorado law cannot exercise their right to openly seek redress of grievences from the U.S. government.
POSTED BY NICK | JANUARY 23, 2012, 9:21 PM
CANNABIS INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES, here is an email to send to your U.S. senators & congressperson on 1/25
January 23, 2012
[Insert appropriate Congressperson’s name and address]
Dear
I work in Colorado’s medical marijuana industry as [state your job] . I am writing because of concern over the recent actions of U.S. Attorney John Walsh’s decision to force the closure of Medical Marijuana Centers in Colorado. I fear that it is merely the first step in trying to eliminate the industry I’m working in.
Mr. Walsh’s actions and apparent intention puts at risk 800 local business and 8,000 to 10,000 Colorado jobs, and costing local governments millions in lost revenue. An industry survey revealed that over $400,000,000 has been contributed to Colorado’s economy by the medical marijuana industry and millions in state and local tax revenue.
In a time when jobs are scarce and over 15% of the workforce is out of work, the center I work for enables me to make a living wage and provide for myself and my family. It is grossly unfair to single out the medical cannabis industry over unsupported fears of diverting cannabis to our youth.
Colorado’s MMCs operate within the rules established by the state and are not a threat to children in the neighborhood. Children are not allowed in dispensaries and I have never seen any children hanging around the center. Under Colorado law, communities have the option to ban these businesses, but many communities have approved this business and issued them licenses to operate. If any business or person is ever caught selling marijuana to children, they will be criminally prosecuted by our local and state regulatory authorities in conjunction with the local District Attorney.
I am deeply concerned that the actions of the U.S. Attorney to shut down tightly regulated businesses will only increase the demand for marijuana from unegulated sources and empower street dealers who will target vunerable populations.
I am as concerned about children getting access to illicit drugs as Mr. Walsh and I’m sure you share this concern. The regulated and secure model of Medical Marijuana Centers is the best firewall against marijuana coming into the hands of minors..
In December, the U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder, said about medical marijuana that “people acting in conformity with the (state) law would not be an enforcement priority for the Justice Department.” Mr. Walsh’s actions are in direct contradiction of the U.S. Attorney’s position.
I urge you to ask Mr. Walsh to act consistently with Mr. Holder’s statement to Congress and our shared commitment to keeping children safe and reducing crime. Colorado’s regulatory model has accomplished the goals of providing patient access while also creating jobs and revenues that our state has used to fund drug treatment programs. This will allow me to work and be a productive member of society.
Sincerely yours,
______________________________
Here is an alternative last paragraph if you do not want to sign your name:
Regrettably, I choose not to sign this letter out of fear of reprisal from the federal government. It is a sad day for our republic when Colorado citizens following Colorado law cannot exercise their right to openly seek redress of grievences from the U.S. government.
POSTED BY NICK | JANUARY 23, 2012, 9:25 PM
MMC/MIP OWNERS, here is an email written from the owner point of view to send to your U.S. Senators & Congressperson:
January 23, 2012
[Insert appropriate representative’s name and address]
Dear
I am writing out of concern over the recent decision by Mr. John Walsh, the U.S. Attorney for Colorado, to target Colorado’s medical marijuana industry. I request that you ask Mr. Walsh to stop shutting down licensed Colorado businesses. Mr. Walsh’s actions are in direct contravention of President Obama’s campaign promises and Attorney General Eric Holder’s sworn statement to Congress on December 9, 2011 that “people acting in conformity with the (state) law would not be an enforcement priority for the Justice Department.”
Mr. Walsh is inappropriately applying a law (Title 21, US Code, Section 856(a)) which was designed to punish illegal street dealers operating near school. He is misusing this law to shut down lawful businesses that are operating with approval from the State of Colorado and their local communities. Medical Marijuana Centers are not public places. They only serve sick, adult patients who have been certified as such by their doctor in a bona fide doctor patient relationship. Mr. Walsh’s actions are drastically hurting the sickest and most vulnerable members of our community because these patients will no longer be able to obtain the medicine they need.
In addition, Mr. Walsh’s actions puts at risk 700 local business and 8,000 to 10,000 Colorado jobs, and will cost local governments millions in lost revenue. An industry survey revealed that over $400,000,000 has been contributed to Colorado’s economy by the medical marijuana industry and millions in state and local tax revenue.
Colorado has implemented a stringent, tightly regulated medical marijuana program to implement the will of the people as expressed in amendment 20, Colorado’s medical marijuana constitutional amendment. Our tightly regulated state licensing program – which passed with bipartisan support in our state legislature — permits local governments to decide where medical marijuana centers can be located including banning them altogether. Colorado is pioneering the development of a safe regulatory process for the production, distribution and sale of medicinal cannabis.
I am as concerned about children getting access to illicit drugs as Mr. Walsh and I’m sure you share this concern. The regulated and secure model of Medical Marijuana Centers is the best firewall against marijuana coming into the hands of minors.
A recent study of over 32,000 students presented to the American Public Health Association in 2011 found that “while marijuana use was common throughout the study period, there were no statistically significant differences in marijuana use [among youth] between states in any year.” Indeed, a recent report from Colorado Springs showed that school officials did not see any increase in cannabis consumption among students despite the presence of nearby medical marijuana centers. It is the illegal street dealers, not medical marijuana centers that we need to keep our children away from. These street dealers are the ones who lure children into using dangerous drugs. Medical marijuana business owners have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to build facilities and comply with state regulations and would not jeopardize that investment for a quick sale to a child.
If DEMOCRAT
Medical marijuana has widespread support across the country, with polls showing support as high as 80%. President Obama promised not to interfere with our state’s medical marijuana laws. If the president doesn’t hold true to his campaign promise, he is going have a hard time activating his base here in Colorado this time around. Colorado’s medical cannabis program is saving tax dollars spent on a failed cannabis prohibition program and generating new taxes that are being used to educate Colorado’s children and provide for the general welfare of its citizens.
———————————–
If REPUBLICAN, use this instead. This might also be used with democrats.
Colorado is saving the tax money spent on a failed cannabis prohibition program and is generating millions in new taxes that are being used to educate Colorado’s children and provide for the general welfare of its citizens. Like other herbal medicines, medicinal cannabis is a substance that can and should be regulated by Colorado under the 10th amendment. This ensures that local communities and states have the opportunity to decide for themselves how they want to regulate the product rather than being dictated to by the federal government.
__________________________________________________________________________
I respectfully request that you ask Mr. Walsh to stop this unwarranted attack on the right of Colorado to effectively regulate an industry operating wholly within the state of Colorado. Please protect our community from the overreach of the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Sincerely yours,
_______________________
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT TO SIGN A LETTER, consider this as your closing paragraph:
Regrettably, I choose not to sign this letter out of fear of reprisal from the federal government. It is a sad day for our republic when Colorado citizens following Colorado law cannot exercise their right to openly seek redress of grievances from the U.S. Government.
POSTED BY NICK | JANUARY 23, 2012, 9:28 PM
SUPPORTING BUSINESSES can use this letter to email to their U.S. Senators & Congressperson:
January 23, 2012
[Insert appropriate representative’s name and address]
Dear
I am writing because of concern over the recent actions of U.S. Attorney John Walsh’s decision to force the closure of many Medical Marijuana Centers in Colorado. Mr. Walsh’s actions are in direct contravention of President Obama’s campaign promises and Attorney General Eric Holder’s sworn statement to Congress on December 9, 2011 that “people acting in conformity with the (state) law would not be an enforcement priority for the Justice Department.”
Mr. Walsh is inappropriately applying a law (Title 21, US Code, Section 856(a)) which was designed to punish illegal street dealers operating near school. He is misusing this law to shut down lawful businesses that are operating with approval from the State of Colorado and their local communities. Medical Marijuana Centers are not public places. They only serve sick, adult patients who have been certified as such by their doctor in a bona fide doctor patient relationship. Mr. Walsh’s actions are hurting sick and vulnerable members of our community because these patients will no longer be able to obtain the medicine they need.
In addition, Mr. Walsh’s actions puts at risk 800 local business and 8,000 to 10,000 Colorado jobs, and costing local governments millions in lost revenue. An industry survey revealed that over $400,000,000 has been contributed to Colorado’s economy by the medical marijuana industry and millions in state and local tax revenue. My business is one of those that has benefited from the investments the cannabis industry has made in Colorado. [share something of the positive impact the MMJ industry has had on your business, ability to stay in business, jobs you have/keep, etc]
I am deeply concerned that the actions of the U.S. Attorney to shut down tightly regulated businesses will only increase the demand for marijuana from unegulated sources and empower street dealers who will target vunerable populations.
I am as concerned about children getting access to illicit drugs as Mr. Walsh and I’m sure you share this concern. The regulated and secure model of Medical Marijuana Centers is the best firewall against marijuana coming into the hands of minors.
A recent study of over 32,000 students presented to the American Public Health Association in 2011 found that “while marijuana use was common throughout the study period, there were no statistically significant differences in marijuana use [among youth] between states in any year.” Indeed, a recent report from Colorado Springs showed that school officials did not see any increase in cannabis consumption among students despite the presence of nearby medical marijuana centers. It is the illegal street dealers, not medical marijuana centers that we need to keep our children away from. These street dealers are the ones who lure children into using dangerous drugs. Medical marijuana business owners have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to build facilities and comply with state regulations and would not jeopardize that investment for a quick sale to a child.
If DEMOCRAT
Medical marijuana has widespread support across the country, with polls showing support as high as 80%. President Obama promised not to interfere with our state’s medical marijuana laws. If the president doesn’t hold true to his campaign promise, he is going have a hard time activating his base here in Colorado this time around. Colorado’s medical cannabis program is saving tax dollars spent on a failed cannabis prohibition program and generating new taxes that are being used to educate Colorado’s children and provide for the general welfare of its citizens.
———————————–
If REPUBLICAN, use this instead. This might also be used with democrats.
Colorado is saving the tax money spent on a failed cannabis prohibition program and is generating millions in new taxes that are being used to educate Colorado’s children and provide for the general welfare of its citizens. Like other herbal medicines, medicinal cannabis is a substance that can and should be regulated by Colorado under the 10th amendment. This ensures that local communities and states have the opportunity to decide for themselves how they want to regulate the product rather than being dictated to by the federal government.
__________________________________________________________________________
I respectfully request that you ask Mr. Walsh to stop this unwarranted attack on the right of Colorado to effectively regulate an industry operating wholly within the state of Colorado. Please protect our community from the overreach of the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Sincerely yours,
_______________________
FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WANT TO SIGN A LETTER, consider this as your closing paragraph:
Regrettably, I choose not to sign this letter out of fear of reprisal from the federal government. It is a sad day for our republic when Colorado citizens following Colorado law cannot exercise their right to openly seek redress of grievances from the U.S. Government.