Pubdate: Wed, 14 May 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

FREE WEED FOR VETS, SALES TAXES UP AND MORE

Soothing Service For Free

A Woodland Park-based organization is seeking to remedy a problem the
state of Colorado hasn't seemed willing to address: the accessibility
of marijuana for military veterans looking to use it to treat
service-related ailments. A bill that would have added post-traumatic
stress disorder to the state's list of conditions considered treatable
with MMJ recently died in committee, meaning there's space for
Operation Grow4Vets (grow4vets.org) to fill, which it wants to - and
for free.

"If we, as a nation, are truly committed to helping American heroes
live healthy and productive lives after they have been wounded or
injured protecting our freedom and way of life," says executive
director Roger Martin in a release, "it is imperative that we stop
killing veterans by forcing them to take dangerous and often deadly
prescription drug cocktails."

Toward that end, the group's Project Better Medicine will provide free
cannabis, edibles, other infused products and growing equipment to all
veterans living in Colorado and currently being treated by a U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs facility. Visit grow4vets.org/pbm to
apply, or call 866/726-5200.

Sales taxes up

Recreational marijuana continues to grow, with March numbers showing
statewide sales around $19 million, an increase of $5 million from
February's report, and good enough to generate roughly $3.2 million in
taxes and fees. Thus far, the state has collected around $7.3 million,
and sent a portion of that back to municipalities that allowed RMJ
sales. For example, in addition to its own taxes and fees, the city of
Denver has received $406,134 in the first three months.

As for Colorado Springs' medical-marijuana industry, the 15,817
patients in El Paso County (as of the state's Feb. 28 numbers) have
generated $114,059 in sales-tax revenue for the city, according to its
February report. For the year 2013, the city collected $1.34 million
from the MMJ industry on roughly $53.7 million in sales, up from $1.1
million in 2012.

Keef crumbs

With home hash-oil explosions becoming more and more common - the
Associated Press reports 10 people have been treated at the state's
burn center since Jan. 1, as opposed to 11 all of last year - the
backlash has begun. On Saturday, the Denver Post's editorial board
urged future lawmakers to ban home oil production "to put a stop to
what appears to be a dangerous trend." It's not clear, however, that
Amendment 64's wording would allow that to happen.

After the initial attempt died in committee, the Colorado legislature
last week approved a framework to allow for the creation of a
financial co-op that marijuana businesses could use for transactions.
However, the plan is dependent on the U.S. Federal Reserve giving its
blessing.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D