Medical Marijuana Colorado

Not everything about Colorado medical marijuana needs to revolve around controversy. Contrary to popular belief, cannabis contains many connoisseur properties, similar to fine wines, liquor, and tobacco. Nearly everyone knows that the active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; commonly known as THC. What most people do not know, however, is the plant produces in two basic forms: sativa and indica. There are a myriad of physical properties surrounding the two forms, but it is the effectual properties that really set the two apart. Most plants carry both traits, but for many Colorado medical marijuana patients, the percentage of sativa vs. indica in a plant has a drastic effect on the pain reducing properties as well as psychological and emotional effects. Commonly, indica plants contain heavy pain reducing properties, but also carry stronger mental effects such as drowsiness. Sativa plans, conversely, tend to hold more mentally pleasing attributes such as euphoria, but do not affect the body as much as sativa plants. Patients suffering from depression along with their physical ailments may prefer a heavier dosage of sativa. Beyond the effectual attributes, different plants also contain different flavor quality, color, density, and a plethora of qualities that can make each plant a unique specimen. Medical marijuana in Colorado can and should be allowed to help those in need. It is no crime, in contrast, to acknowledge the positives of Colorado cannabis beyond the initial medical benefit.

Due to the vague and cryptic nature of Colorado medical marijuana law, more growers and dispensaries are feeling the backlash from the DEA. Recently, a grower in Highlands Ranch was arrested by federal agents while his entire inventory was confiscated. What is most disturbing about this situation is the grower believed he was in compliance with state law. Regrettably, federal law supersedes state law, thus making the grower of Colorado cannabis a felon in the eyes of the DEA. This could potentially open the doors for more confiscation and firm restriction via federal lawmakers. Unfortunately, Colorado medicinal marijuana laws have been ambiguous at best from the beginning. It is becoming painfully evident that clearly defined laws and guidelines must be in place before more people who believe they are compliant end up in federal prison. Blame lies in all areas of the industry, from vague law to overzealous proprietors. Until firm and acceptable guidelines are in place, similar situations will plague the industry, causing more skepticism and fear among the public and government officials.

As the controversy rages on about the legitimacy of Colorado medicinal marijuana, there is a significant demographic supporting the product; the patient. Opponents to Denver medical marijuana and Colorado marijuana dispensaries claim that the medical benefits are a sham used as a smoke screen to simply legalize a narcotic. A true patient would disagree. In an interview with a serious patient, some genuine medical benefits were unveiled. This patient, a male in his mid 40’s, was involved in a traffic accident; both his legs were mangled in the wreck. To him, Denver medical marijuana has provided him with an alternate pain killer. He also explained that the euphoric properties help with bouts of depression revolving around the pain and make his life experience more enjoyable in general. He complained that other prescribed pain killers were more addictive, less effective, and more expensive. To him, and thousands of similar patients, Colorado medicinal marijuana doctors have helped them find a new avenue for pain relief never before available. After listening to his story, one cannot help but realize the potential legitimacy of medicinal marijuana in Colorado.    

In spite of potential and projected business growth, regulation of medicinal marijuana in Colorado is simply a matter if inevitability. What is crucial, however, is how much the regulations hinder perspective growth of the industry. Recently, the City Council passed an ordinance to require licensing for Colorado medical marijuana dispensaries. Although this is a logical step in the progression of Colorado marijuana regulation, the requirements to attain a license could become a major point of contention. Currently, the Colorado medicinal marijuana dispensary owner will be required to pass a background check and pay fees totaling about $5000 (including annual fees). As time goes on, however, restrictions could become tighter and more subjective. For example, the Massey-Romer bill would allow the licensing board to establish a potential owner’s “moral character” and deny a license based on that subjective opinion. Regulations, ordinances, and perspective bills are changing on nearly a daily basis. Once again, it will be up to the public to decide on the fate of Colorado medical marijuana as a myriad of bills will surely be presented to the voting public. While opponents of medicinal marijuana in Colorado push for harsher restriction, advocates and business owners will be challenged to find initiatives that will please the public while still maintaining financial enterprise.

Colorado medical marijuana is stepping into the stock market ring. Medical Marijuana, Inc. is the first medical marijuana company to be offered on the stock market, spinning off two subsidiaries on a share for share basis (pre 10 for 1 forward split) of shares of Club Vivanet, Inc. (a Florida corporation) and MyNewPedia Corp. (a Colorado corporation). While it does not trade on the NYSE or NASDAQ, the stock does trade over-the-counter under the ticker CVIV and is listed as Medical Marijuana, Inc. on the pink sheets. According to the company, the patent filed for its invention potentially satisfies various governmental and medical marijuana dispensaries’ needs for tax collection in the medical marijuana industry in Colorado and beyond. Whether the company will take off remains to be seen, but current Chairman and CEO, Bruce Perlowin is hopeful about the company’s future.

Medical marijuana in Colorado is used for the treatment of a variety of conditions and symptoms. For many users, marijuana reduces the symptoms of more serious diseases and allows patients to lead a somewhat normal life during treatment for such diseases as cancer, glaucoma, arthritis, MS and Fibromyalgia. For cancer patients, the inhalation of cannabis reduces the severe bouts of nausea that accompany chemotherapy treatments. For those patients who cannot keep medication down, smoking marijuana is a preferred alternative for nausea control and allows the patient the ability to continue eating during treatment. For patients with MS, the use of cannabis stops muscle spasms, restores speech and eyesight, helps with bladder control issues and reduces serious tremors. Some patients claim the ability to walk unassisted when using marijuana. Testing for a cannabinoid substitute called THC has been undergoing trial studies to see how it may compare to the actual drug.