Haggling Continues Over Marijuana Testing, Magazines

May 4, 2013 4:00 PM

DENVER (CBS4) – Time running is out for the new marijuana rules. Colorado senators scrambled Friday to advance a sweeping series of regulations and taxes on the newly legal drug.

The Senate Finance Committee approved two measures Friday to tax and regulate pot, but big questions remain before the annual session ends Wednesday.

Senators were haggling over pot testing standards and a proposal to ban the infusion of marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient, THC, into premade foods such as Twinkies and Pop Tarts.

As the marijuana measures advanced, Senate President John Morse told reporters he’s still thinking about pushing a brand-new ballot measure to ask voters whether marijuana legalization should be repealed without accompanying taxes. He told Coloradans to stay tuned.
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Aurora to consider running the show for recreational marijuana

POSTED:   05/04/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT
UPDATED:   05/04/2013 02:04:50 PM MDTBy Carlos Illescas
The Denver Post

The city of Aurora could be getting into the pot business — and make itself the exclusive grower and seller of the drug without the worry of private competition.

The City Council is set to consider Monday several ways of dealing with Amendment 64, which legalizes recreational marijuana in Colorado. The choices are broad, ranging from banning certain establishments to allowing them.

Another is for Aurora to run the show — from seed to sale.

No other city in the state is known to be considering the latter enterprise, which would give Aurora virtually total control over how pot is grown and sold, similar to state-run liquor stores outside Colorado.
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Colorado legislature unveils long-awaited marijuana regulation bills

POSTED:   04/19/2013 11:32:23 AM MDT
UPDATED:   04/19/2013 05:42:33 PM MDTBy John Ingold
The Denver Post

Lawmakers late Thursday introduced a long-awaited bill of proposed regulations for recreational marijuana, moving Colorado one step closer to a legal pot marketplace.
The 57-page bill contains the most contentious ideas endorsed by a special legislative committee for how recreational marijuana businesses should operate and be structured. A second bill, also introduced late Thursday, lays out a proposed tax structure for marijuana that voters would be asked to approve.

Lawmakers are also expected to introduce a third bill, containing non-controversial proposals for the marijuana industry.

All three bills must be passed in the state House and Senate — requiring a minimum of six different votes each — by May 8, the end of the legislative session. If they are not, it is likely lawmakers would consider a special session this spring to try again, since this is the only opportunity the legislature has to weigh in on marijuana regulations before pot stores open around the beginning of 2014.
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Audit: Medical pot regulation in trouble in Colorado

KRISTEN WYATT
ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER — Colorado's medical marijuana regulations are badly enforced and in need of dramatic overhaul, state auditors concluded in a blistering 89-page report released Tuesday.

The audit detailed a seemingly directionless pot regulation scheme that hasn't delivered the kind of oversight promised three years ago when the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, or MMED, was created.

Among the failures outlined in the report: ….

Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/regulat … z2On4zgzkA

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/ … 1U20130327

Colorado medical pot system lacks oversight, plagued by money woes

By Keith Coffman
DENVER | Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:54pm EDT

(Reuters) - The agency charged with regulating Colorado's medical marijuana industry has not adequately defined its mission, squandered money on capital projects and underreported tax revenues, state auditors said in a scathing report released on Tuesday.

The Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, a division of Colorado's Department of Revenue, failed to follow the framework laid out by the state legislature when lawmakers approved the program in 2010, auditors said in the 96-page report.

"The division has not adequately defined the oversight activities it must perform or determined the resources it needs to implement the regulatory system envisioned by the General Assembly," the report said…..

Marijuana task force in Colorado finishes work

2:30 PM, Mar 13, 2013

DENVER (AP) - Colorado's marijuana task force to study how the drug should be grown, sold and taxed has finished its work.

The group is making its recommendations final Wednesday in a report to be released to lawmakers.

The Amendment 64 Task Force included pot advocates, law enforcement and government regulators.

The task force looked at everything from potential tax rates, to potency and labeling standards, to recommendations for keeping the drug away from children.

The task force report is just a series of suggestions, though. The final marijuana regulations will be made by state lawmakers, who have created a special marijuana committee to look at nothing but pot regulation. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

The U.S. Department of Justice has not said whether it will sue to block Colorado's law.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

COLORADO TASK FORCE PONDERS HOW TO TAX LEGAL POT

By KRISTEN WYATT
—    Feb. 28 6:47 PM EST
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Colorado lawmakers could set a lower tax, or they could add sales taxes beyond the current statewide 2.9 percent. Legislators could even create a special new "marijuana tax" for consumers, plus a series of required licensing fees for growers and sellers. Besides schools, the taxes must fund marijuana safety enforcement and drug education measures.

Any option would have to go back to voters for final approval.

Marijuana proponents and critics agree that taxes should be hefty. But if levies are too high, legal pot could be so expensive that people continue buying it underground.
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Pot purchasing limits proposed in CO

POSTED:   02/25/2013 05:56:54 AM MST
UPDATED:   02/25/2013 06:36:56 PM MSTBy KRISTEN WYATT Associated Press

DENVER—Marijuana consumers in Colorado could be in store for purchasing limits well below what's they're allowed to have.

A state task force set up to regulate recreational weed in Colorado agreed Monday to recommend marijuana purchasing caps. Adults over 21 in Colorado are allowed to have up to an ounce of weed, but the task force recommended that a single transaction at a pot shop should be capped at a lower amount.

Regulators did not agree what the smaller cap should be, punting that decision to the state Legislature, which will ultimately decide all of Colorado's marijuana rules.
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Colorado Task Force Meeting On Marijuana Regulations

February 11, 2013 3:09 PM

DENVER (AP) – A marijuana regulatory group appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper is still working out the details of pot regulation.
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The task force has less than a month to forward proposals to lawmakers.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Colorado marijuana task force says employers can fire for pot use

POSTED:   02/05/2013 03:29:08 PM MST
UPDATED:   02/05/2013 06:50:17 PM MSTBy John Ingold
The Denver Post

Bosses would continue to be allowed to fire workers for off-the-job marijuana use under a policy endorsed Tuesday by a state task force helping to create rules for marijuana legalization.

A divided Amendment 64 Implementation Task Force backed the recommendation, which would essentially preserve the status quo in employer-employee relationships when it comes to marijuana. Dissenting members of the task force argued that Amendment 64, which legalized use and limited possession of marijuana for adults, changed the status quo to give off-the-job pot use the same kind of protection as alcohol use.
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By LANCE BENZEL THE GAZETTE
January 07, 2013

A medical marijuana grower acquitted of drug-cultivation charges at a December trial wants Colorado Springs police to return her marijuana — or fork over $3.3 million in compensation.

The request by Alvida Hillery is the latest sign that failed medical marijuana prosecutions in El Paso County might end up costing taxpayers.

Hillery, founder of the Rocky Mountain Miracles medical marijuana dispensary at 2316 E. Bijou St. in the city’s Knob Hill neighborhood, was found not-guilty of felony drug charges after a three-day trial last month.

The El Paso County District Attorney’s Office has until Monday to respond to a Dec. 16 motion demanding the return of Hillery’s marijuana — 36 pounds of refined marijuana and 304 plants seized during a March 2012 raid by Colorado Springs police and the state Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division.

If the marijuana isn’t returned — or ends up being spoiled — Hillery is entitled to recoup $3,327,460, according to her attorney, Sean McAllister of Denver. McAllister said he used Drug Enforcement Agency standards to determine the value.

“I think there is a possibility of a lawsuit against both the Colorado Springs Police Department and the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division,” he said.

Hillery is among several Colorado Springs medical marijuana growers who prevailed at trial in El Paso County last year, potentially raising the same or similar liability issues for police and the city.

Colorado law requires the “immediate return” of medical marijuana in the event of a jury’s not-guilty finding, McAllister argues in his legal motion. His motion also cites a recent Colorado Court of Appeals decision that ordered the return of 30 marijuana plants and seven pounds of marijuana to Robert Crouse, a Colorado Springs cancer patient who was acquitted in June of felony drug charges.

Prosecutors previously fought the issue, saying it could put law enforcement officers in jeopardy of being charged as drug dealers.

Fourth Judicial District Judge Timothy J. Schutz rejected that argument and ordered the pot be returned. In response, prosecutors requested an emergency hearing before the Appeals Court, which also sided with Crouse.

Crouse’s marijuana – initially valued at $300,000 – developed mold while in Colorado Springs police custody, and is unusable. Crouse uses marijuana concentrates in the treatment of his leukemia.

Crouse filed notice on Dec. 27 of his intent to sue the city and Colorado Springs police and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, which staff the county’s multijurisdictional Metro Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit.

Threats of legal action are only the latest headache related to the marijuana prosecutions.

Colorado Springs police say they spent nearly $100,000 in the past eight years on drug-related storage problems — including clean-up of evidence rooms tainted by mold spores and mildew from rotting marijuana plants.

Police spokeswoman Barbara Miller said employees who worked in evidence reported headaches, difficulty breathing and skin rashes.

Miller couldn’t provide an update Friday about the Police Department’s plans regarding Hillery’s marijuana.
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"It is the Imaginative and Intellectual mind that "they're" afraid of. An educated mind, the world's most powerful weapon".

November 15, 2012 7:05 PM

LANCE BENZEL
THE GAZETTE

Call it a pot bust in reverse.

The Colorado Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled that Colorado Springs police must return more than 60 pounds of marijuana they seized from a cancer patient who was later acquitted at trial of drug charges.

Bob Crouse, 64, is scheduled to pick up his medical marijuana — some $300,000 worth — on Friday afternoon.

The marijuana has been kept at the downtown Police Operations Center since Crouse’s May 2011 arrest on charges of drug possession with the intent to distribute. Crouse uses marijuana oil in the treatment of his leukemia.

District Court Judge Timothy J. Schutz on Nov. 9 affirmed an order the marijuana must be returned in the wake of an acquittal at Crouse’s June trial. But El Paso County prosecutors were granted a temporary stay by the Court of Appeals after arguing police could be at risk of being charged under federal law.

On Thursday, a three-judge panel agreed to hear the District Attorney’s appeal — even as it ordered that Crouse’s marijuana must be returned.

According to Crouse’s attorney, the Court of Appeals will look at the larger issue of whether the courts may order local governments to return medical marijuana after unsuccessful prosecutions.

“This is going to create case law for future cases,” said attorney Clifton Black of Colorado Springs.

District Attorney’s spokeswoman Lee Richards said the office pursued the appeal at the request of Colorado Springs police.

The legal wrangling is unlikely to produce usable medicine for Crouse, however.

During last week’s hearing before Schutz, Black said that much, if not all, of Crouse’s marijuana is likely to be spoiled.

Police cut down 55 marijuana plants believed to contain a pound each of formerly usable marijuana. They also seized six pounds of refined pot. The marijuana has a shelf life of about six months and is unusable after a year, Crouse said.

"We believe the marijuana is totally worthless and we're concerned it may be moldy and a health hazard," Black said.

With medical marijuana advocates filling the courtroom, Schutz scoffed at the notion federal agencies would target police for executing a court order, and suggested that police were actually concerned over civil liability.

Black said Crouse won’t decide whether to sue until he has a chance to examine the marijuana.

Marijuana measure sees more debate in Colorado

September 26, 2012 1:41 PM

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER — Marijuana legalization debates in Colorado are picking up as the state considers legalizing the drug for recreational use.

Several debates have already occurred on the question, and more are planned. Debates are scheduled this week in Denver, Littleton and Fort Collins. Dozens attended a debate Wednesday at the University of Denver, where the presidential candidates will debate in less than a week. Former Republican Senate candidate Ken Buck argued against a drafter of the marijuana measure.

Marijuana proponents say the drug should be regulated like alcohol and taxed to raise money for school construction. Opponents say the pot measure would increase youth drug use and wouldn't raise that much money.

Colorado is one of three states considering marijuana legalization without a doctor's recommendation this fall.

Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/debate- … z27cqXrZIi

Clock running for Colorado marijuana stores to top operating near schools

11:53 AM, Sep 17, 2012

DENVER — Colorado marijuana stores operating near schools have until midnight Monday to discontinue sales or face legal action.

U.S. Attorney John Walsh has warned 10 marijuana stores they will be shut down if they do not comply…..

Posted: Sep 5, 2012 10:04 PM by Andy Koen
Updated: Sep 6, 2012 10:55 PM

Watch video-

A local leukemia patient who was acquitted earlier this summer of felony drug charges says wants his seized medical marijuana back. Police took over 50 marijuana plants and between five and six pounds of pot from Bob Crouse as evidence when he was arrested last May.

A few weeks after the trial he went to the police to get the drugs back but pot back, he was told he couldn't have them. He's fighting the police and District Attorney's Office in court because he believes it's the right thing to do.

"There's nobody else gonna challenge him," Crouse said, referring to 4th Judical District Attorney Dan May.

Crouse says he needs large amounts of marijuana to make a highly concentrated liquid that he uses to treat the cancer. He points to his blood tests as proof that the cannabis is working.
One symptom of leukemia is elevated levels of certain white blood cells called lymphocytes.

When he was first diagnosed in 2007, Crouse had a lymphocyte count of 22,400 per microliter of blood, whereas his most recent count was 6,500 per microliter. A typical healthy range is considered to be between 1,000 and 2,900 cells per microliter.

"I'm killing all of the cancer in my body with no collateral damage," Crouse said. "There is no healthy cells being killed, it's just the cancer cells."

Crouse's mixture is experimental at best. There is no Food and Drug Administration regulation and the solution isn't sold commercially. One syringe of the drug contains roughly the equivalent of a quarter pound of marijuana.

Since he couldn't buy it, Crouse began making the mixture himself before he was arrested last May.
"It didn't do me any good to have a foundation that could tell me there's a cure but they couldn't help me get it and the only way I could was to be able to grow it," he said.

A spokesperson for the district attorney said we would have to follow up with the police department. We spoke with them late Wednesday evening and they said they are researching the issue. Meanwhile, a hearing over the seized marijuana is scheduled for September 17.