Ask Brian Vicente about the state of medical marijuana in Larimer County, and his answer is much more simple than the question itself: "It's a mess." The head of one of the leading state medical marijuana advocacy groups agrees with the Loveland police chief, an opponent of dispensaries, on one thing -- the patchwork of regulations is confusing. "We're in a really fragmented state right now," said Chief Luke Hecker. "You'll be in one jurisdiction, and something is OK. You go into another, and it is not. It's going to be difficult for law enforcement agencies and confusing for the citizens of Colorado. [continues 470 words]
Loveland resident Jeremy Chad Myers walked from a district courtroom Thursday with tears in his eyes and said he feels "as innocent as ever." Myers considers himself vindicated because 8th Judicial District prosecutors dropped all drug charges against him for what three reports show is a false accusation he was cooking and using methamphetamine in his home at the old sugar factory in Loveland. Colorado Bureau of Investigation tests on substances seized by the Larimer County Drug Task Force seized after a no-knock raid in September all came back "no controlled substances;" no amphetamine, no ephedrine, for which initial on-site screens tested positive. [continues 572 words]
LOVELAND -- After spending Monday talking about methamphetamine with a room full of law enforcement officers, counselors, social workers and others, Frank Lancaster decided to speak with his teenage son. "This is going to be our dinner conversation tonight," Lancaster said, illustrating that he had heard the officials, who, during the daylong meth summit, stressed the importance of family in preventing drug use. As a district chairman for the Boy Scouts, he plans to continue working on ways to provide youngsters with positive alternatives to drugs -- something many at the Larimer and Weld County Meth Summit said was key to beating the drug. [continues 460 words]
The local methamphetamine problem -- and police and prosecutors say it is a problem -- will receive national attention today. An Indiana congressman, considered an expert on the drug, and Colorado Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave will hear testimony in Loveland. The information from officials in the region could then guide future laws. The idea is to provide a better understanding of the meth situation in Musgrave's 4th Congressional District, said her spokesman, Aaron Johnson. The official congressional hearing is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon today at the Loveland City Council chamber, 500 E. Third St. Members of the public can attend the hearing but won't be allowed to testify. [continues 82 words]
Every day, area prosecutors and law enforcement officers battle a "perfect storm" ravaging the community environmentally, socially, emotionally and criminally. On Friday, a panel of local officials asked the federal government for help combating methamphetamine. One suggestion: Close the borders, cut off the source. The highly addictive drug is taking over communities, tearing apart families, monopolizing law enforcement efforts, contributing to violent and property crimes and affecting employers, the said. People involved in the battle -- three district attorneys from Northern Colorado, a sheriff, a local drug task force commander, a county commissioner and the wife of a user who started support groups - -- acknowledged at a U.S. congressional hearing in Loveland on Friday that the problem and solution are complex. [continues 475 words]
Drug Crossing Border, Witnesses Tell Feds LOVELAND -- Northern Colorado officials on Friday asked the federal government for help combating methamphetamine. One suggestion: Close the borders and cut off the source. The highly addictive drug is taking over communities, tearing apart families, monopolizing law enforcement efforts, contributing to violent and property crimes and affecting employers, the officials said during a congressional hearing Friday in Loveland. Three district attorneys from northern Colorado, a sheriff, a drug task force commander, a Larimer County commissioner and the wife of a user who started support groups acknowledged at the hearing that the problems caused by meth use, and possible solutions, are complex. [continues 270 words]
