Pubdate: Wed, 09 Apr 2014
Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO)
Copyright: 2014 Colorado Springs Independent
Contact:  http://www.csindy.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536
Author: Bryce Crawford

COLORADO CRACKS DOWN ON PLANT COUNTS, HOLDER WILLING TO RESCHEDULE
CANNABIS, AND MORE

Palmer Lake Still Out

Last week, the voters of Palmer Lake rejected the option to overturn a
ban on recreational-marijuana stores - barely. Just 57 votes separated
the two sides, with 538 people voting to uphold the ban, and 481
people voting to allow RMJ.

The Gazette quoted Palmer Lake Wellness Center owner Dino Salvatori as
saying he would begin collecting signatures to ask the question again
in November. Our call to the center was not returned by deadline.

Why up, doc?

Since 2000, it's been possible for recommending physicians to pencil
in a higher allowable plant count for patients than just the default
six. This could be necessary, for example, if somebody's making
certain tinctures, which often require pounds of product instead of
ounces.

However, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on
April 1 sent notice "to all physicians active on the Registry to
inform them of changes in the process for ... recommendations in
excess of the constitutional standard," thus tightening the rule. The
state now says allowable proof includes "patient progress notes
detailing dose related effects, lab results, and diagnostic testing
results (e.g. EEG reports for patients with epilepsy). Physicians also
must reference or provide copies of published, peer-reviewed studies
supporting the medical necessity."

Help us help you

Attorney General Eric Holder has said that the Obama administration
would be happy to look at rescheduling cannabis from its current
status as a Schedule I substance - with "no accepted medical use" -
with lawmakers' help.

"It is something that ultimately Congress would have to change, and I
think that our administration would be glad to work with Congress if
such a proposal were made," Holder was quoted by The Huffington Post
as telling the House Appropriations Committee.

Keef crumbs

The Colorado Small Business Development Network will host "Medical
& Legalized Marijuana: The Impact on Small Businesses" at 8 a.m.,
Thursday, April 10, at the El Paso County Citizens Center (1675
Garden of the Gods Road, #1107, 667-3803). Tickets are $10.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports that two more RMJ stores have been
licensed to open in Pueblo County: Hashish House (428 S. McCulloch
Blvd., pueblodispensary.com) and the Organic Seed (41 N. Precision
Drive, coloradospringsmmj.com).

Talking to the Dallas Morning News, Gov. John Hickenlooper explained
his opposition to Amendment 64 this way: While he knew that the drug
war has been "one of the worst social policy failures in the history
of the country," he "didn't want Colorado to ... become the butt of
late-night TV jokes."  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D