Pubdate: Wed, 06 May 2015
Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO)
Column: CannaBiz
Copyright: 2015 Colorado Springs Independent
Contact:  http://www.csindy.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536
Author: Bryce Crawford

LEAF ON THE MESA OPENS IN PUEBLO, SUPREME COURT ASKS OBAMA AND MORE

Blowing in the wind

In the mountain of paperwork required to start a medical and 
recreational marijuana dispensary, it turns out Randine Bickel forgot 
to get her county business license for the rec side of her new Pueblo 
outfit Leaf on the Mesa (1917 Santa Fe Drive, leafonthemesa.com). She 
expects the situation to be resolved in the next 60 days, so here's 
what customers can expect.

"Our goal is education, for both the recreational and the medical 
side," Bickel told us in mid-April. "Here in Pueblo, there's a lot of 
fear-based thinking about marijuana. So I've hired employees who are 
very knowledgeable and they're very experienced in this industry. And 
we're going to provide all kinds of printed material and I'm going to 
have plenty of staff to take as much time as a customer might need."

Bickel, who used to work in the healthcare industry, says she's had 
bad experiences at other centers, so is now focused on creating an 
accessible experience. She mentions lots of seating, a lack of armed 
guards - though a surplus of cameras, naturally - and a very clean 
feel. Bickel also says she will never run out of product, and to 
expect around 12 to 15 strains on the shelf as well as marijuana accessories.

"We're trying to aim for a cut above the rest of what's out there," 
she says, "and hopefully we can meet people's needs, especially 
people who have been a little uneasy going into a facility."

Supreme opinion

With one quick sentence, the United States Supreme Court on Monday 
asked the Obama administration, through Solicitor General Donald 
Verrilli Jr., to weigh in on the lawsuits filed by Oklahoma and 
Nebraska against the state of Colorado. "The Solicitor General," the 
court wrote, "is invited to file a brief in this case expressing the 
views of the United States."

It's a natural move, writes court-watcher SCOTUSblog.com.

"Colorado urged the Supreme Court not to allow the two states to sue 
it, contending that they actually have no grievance with Colorado, 
but only with the federal government for the hands-off policy that it 
has adopted in recent years toward medical and recreational use of 
marijuana. ... But Colorado also told the Court in replying to the 
challenge that the federal government's policy is what is actually at 
stake, so it should be a party in the controversy. The Court's order 
seeking the government's views is at least a temporary concession on 
that point."

Keef crumbs

The Growing Kitchen (thegrowingkitchen.org) has released a Mother's 
Day "cannabis starter kit" that includes low-dose edibles, a balm, 
salve, "chill pills" and a "reusable fabric exit bag." Price was not disclosed.

Talking to FOX Business Network, Gov. John Hickenlooper last week 
walked back his initial negative take on Amendment 64: "If you look 
back, it's turned out not to be as vexing as some people like myself 
[thought it would be]."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom