Pubdate: Sat, 23 Jul 2011 Source: Cortez Journal, The (CO) Copyright: 2011 The Cortez Journal Contact: http://www.cortezjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3602 Author: Paula Bostrom MARIJUANA BUSINESS STAYS Medical Marijuana Centers Don't Fall to Boom-Bust Cycle or State Regs The first medical marijuana dispensary opened in Cortez in October 2009, and five more followed in quick succession last summer. A year later, one dispensary has closed (Southwest Colorado Caregivers), but other shop owners report business is steady. "I can't complain thus far," said Kirsten Krzysztofiak, who along with husband Dave, owns Herbal Alternative, the first dispensary that opened in Cortez. Other dispensary owners also acknowledge that medical marijuana sales are constant, even with all the strict regulations imposed by the state of Colorado. "It's really for the benefit of the patient," Beacon Wellness owner Paul Coffey said, adding that the state's terminology for dispensaries is now medical marijuana "centers." New Colorado laws that recently went into effect don't seem to be affecting most of the centers in Cortez. Among them is the requirement that all centers grow at least 70 percent of the marijuana they sell. Coffey said that it could be argued that the law could make it an awkward situation for any business that sold ingestible products, such as requiring grocery stores to grow 70 percent of the food they sell. He understands the reasoning behind the fact that the law cuts out the middleman and keeps prices lower and said the law is there ultimately for the patient's benefit. Another new law insists all centers have video surveillance in specific locations inside and outside the stores. Beacon Wellness and Herbal Alternative already had video in place when they opened, as did True Earth. Brandi Barattini, manager of True Earth, agrees that surveillance is needed, but as far as a few other requirements, the state seems to be "a little nit-picky" determining what kinds of locks they have on their doors and the size of labels on the medications. She believes that change will be the norm for a while. "I think that if there's something that they put in place and it's not really working or helpful, I think (the state) will change it. We're all in the learning process at this point," Barattini said. Coffey agrees that some of the requirements are "a little extreme," but he believes that the majority of the regulations are simply "Business 101" - how to run a business. "It's very, very basic when you look at what (the state) is asking from us," Coffey said. "When you compare it to the gambling industry or liquor, it's all very similar." While some are wary of the medical marijuana business in general, Coffey hopes the new laws will change people's perspective. "(The new regulations) has given us a lot of the credibility that we've needed in the industry to let people know we are honest, respectable businessmen here trying to do a good thing for the patients," he said. The additional sales tax revenue the centers bring to city coffers also doesn't hurt. According to Kathi Moss, finance director for Cortez, in 2010 city sales tax revenues from medical marijuana centers was $27,842 with four of the five centers only in operation halfway through the year. This year the amount seems likely to double as tax revenues from January to June were $26,239. The medical marijuana centers in Cortez that were contacted all report they have regular clientele and even develop relationships with some. "I know almost every single person that comes into my store," Barattini said. "I know their family stories. Over the past year, I've grown to know them and they've grown to know me." Krzysztofiak said that the only complaint she's heard in her store is the two-week wait to get a medical marijuana card. A surprising fact that Krzysztofiak acknowledged is how the state is making the application and renewal fee more affordable for some patients. If a person is receiving some form of government assistance, they don't have to pay the $90 fee to get a medical marijuana card. As long as a person can show a copy of a food stamp or Social Security award letter and have a prescription from a doctor, the state provides the card free. "It kind of contradicts certain things, which I find comical, but if it helps patients then that's what they need, especially in the economy right now," Krzysztofiak said, noting that she's seen some patients who normally would spend a little more on their medication have to cut back. All in all, medical marijuana centers don't seem to be going anywhere as long as the laws don't change and people still want the plant for medicinal purposes. "Patients in general are just very happy that they are able to come to a facility and be able to shop and get medication that's for them." Coffey said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.