Sorry Blogger but We've Moved...

As much as I love blogger, I use it for my personal blog, Mile High NORML has moved on to bigger and better things. With the help of a few key people our new Blog Site is www.milehighnorml.org/MHN Please stop by and Stay High!

Press Release: Denver's Rally to Free Marc Emery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Re: Denver’s Worldwide Rally to Free Marc Emery

Contacts: Mile High NORML, Cannabis Therapy Institute

Denver, CO – Join Mile High NORML in its Worldwide Rally to Free Marc Emery! The Rally will be held at the Denver Federal Courthouse at 1823 Stout Street Saturday, May 22^nd from 2-5pm. Support the cause and have your voice heard! Anger and indignation should be channeled against the governments that allow the drug war to exist everywhere on Earth, and towards the politicians that makes these injustices and cruelties happen!

Marc Emery is a Canadian political prisoner about to be extradited to the United States for selling cannabis seeds on the Internet and using the money to fund marijuana legalization groups. The DEA wanted him, and now they’ve got him ordered and extradited thanks to Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada. Marc is just one of the hundreds of thousands of North Americans imprisoned for marijuana. Now is the time to STAND UP and demand an end to the destructive DRUG WAR and the imprisonment of non-violent cannabis growers and consumers!

Protest banners, signs, etc. are permitted and encouraged at this event. Sign suggestions include “Free Marc Emery,” “Google Marc Emery,” “Canada Must Bring Marc Emery Home,” “End Prohibition,” “No More Drug War,” etc. The purpose of the signs is to stir the mind of any passerby who might Google “Marc Emery,” “Prince of Pot,” or “Drug War.”

In the words of Marc Emery, “One person can undo the evil of several thousand people. You should never underestimate your power.” Expand awareness, be heard! Join Mile High NORML and the Cannabis Therapy Institute in their support of Marc Emery on Saturday, May 22^nd, at the Denver Federal Courthouse from 2-5pm. For more information please visit www.milehighnorml.org

VETO MARCH against HB-1284

Saturday May 15^th 2010

Civic Center Park 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

East Side, between Colfax & 14^th @ Broadway

For those able to participate in the march, we will walk south on Broadway to 7^th and then walk east 4 blocks to Logan.

Governor’s Park 12:15 to 3:30

Northeast corner of 7^th & Logan

For those individuals that are sick and disabled and not able to make the 11 block walk, please meet us at Governor’s Park. This will allow time for you to get situated and be as comfortable as possible.

Peaceful gathering to OPPOSE HB10-1284

This is a gathering to actively demonstrate to our Governor that

“We the People of Colorado”

Are asking for a VETO on HB10-1284 and SB10-109

1. It is Unconstitutional; It destroys what the voters passed in 2000 for Patients and Caregivers

2. It is Monopolistic; Due to State and local fees and numerous other guidelines

3. It is Exclusionary; Caregivers and Dispensaries that provide medicine at low cost or no cost will not be able to continue helping their patients. A 5 patient limit was adopted, L.140 for caregivers that are not a dispensary model. This undermines the caregiver’s ability to produce enough to meet the needs of their patients. Caregivers will have to pay licensing fees as well as deal with Armed Revenue Auditors according to Sen. Romer.

Please bring what you need to be comfortable! Water, Chairs, Blankets & Food. Please bring something with you to contain anything you will need to throw away. Please be responsible and leave the parks as we found them! This is a ZERO Waste Event! Please bring everyone possible that you can! It’s time for our voices to be heard!!! Thank you for your time and efforts!

NO MARIJUANA ALLOWED AT THIS EVENT!!!

WEAR GREEN!!! BRING your VETO HB10-1284 SIGNS and whatever else you need to say!!!

STRONG DRUM CIRCLE * BRING YOUR DRUMS * Coalition for Alternative Healing Access

If it is raining on Saturday, everyone assemble at The Governor’s Park at 12:00 PM

Senate Gives Initial OK To Medical Marijuana Dispensary Rules

Mile High NORML opposes HB1284 in its entirety and URGE Everyone to contact there State Senators Immediately! HB-1284 will be heard early Thursday morning (May6th). If HB-1284 passes and we are afraid it is going to, it will destroy the medical marijuana industry creating unfair playing fields while damaging patients access.

COLLEEN SLEVIN, Associated Press
DENVER (AP) ― The state Senate on Wednesday gave initial approval to regulating medical marijuana dispensaries and growers after opening the door to waiving sales tax on pot sales to some patients.

Senators made few other significant changes to the bill, which still allows cities and counties to ban dispensaries and limits individuals, as opposed to regulated shops, from providing marijuana to more than five people. That increases the chances that lawmakers will be able to pass regulations for the estimated 1,100 dispensaries in Colorado before they adjourn next week.

Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, said the state's medical marijuana program, approved by voters a decade ago, has become a "runaway train". She warned colleagues wary of legitimizing the booming marijuana industry that inaction would usher in de facto legalization of the drug.

"If this doesn't pass there will be more recreational users," Spence said.

Currently she said there are an estimated 83,000 people who have a doctor's permission to use medical marijuana in Colorado. An exact count isn't available because the state has been inundated with about 1,000 requests a day.

Sen. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, warned that allowing local bans violates the constitutional amendment voters passed a decade ago allowing medical marijuana. She said that would open the door to a total ban across the state.

"If all did what one did, there is no more Amendment 20," she said.

While most prescription drugs are tax exempt in Colorado, the state has been treating marijuana much like a vitamin supplement and charging 2.9 state sales tax on all sales.

The bill requires that $2 million in taxes from marijuana sales be spent on substance abuse programs. Senate GOP leader Josh Penry said the state shouldn't be profiting off patients who rely on the drug. He passed an amendment that requires the health department to come up with rules allowing doctors to exempt patients from paying sales tax when they buy marijuana.

Penry said he opposed the overall bill because it's a regulatory "quagmire". It would hire 27 enforcement agents, auditors and administrators paid for with $2 million in fees paid by dispensary owners, growers and makers of marijuana products.

Senators also backed keeping the location of grow operations secret although law enforcement agencies would still have access to the information.

Cities and counties dealing with the proliferation of dispensaries in the last year have been pushing for lawmakers to pass regulations, which will require that store owners be licensed by both the state and local governments.

Dispensary owners, meanwhile, are willing to put up with criminal background checks and audits to give them protection against possible federal drug raids. Some, though, are worried about having to pay thousands of dollars in fees while regulators finalize the details of rules that could end up putting them out of business.

A final vote on the bill is expected Thursday in the Senate. It must then go back to the House where lawmakers will have to vote on whether to accept the changes made in the Senate.

"There are MANY substantial issues with HB1284, as passed by the House. You MUST take action to meet with your State Senator and his/her staff IMMEDIATELY and urge them to vote NO on this bill. This bill contains many unconstitutional provisions that amend or modify the Constitutional rights guaranteed to you by Amendment 20. More importantly, this law will make it close to impossible for most of you to continue to help your patients." Attorney Lauren Davis

What changes were actually added to Colorado HB10-1284

Below is a list of what actually was added to Colorado HB10-1284 on Tuesday April 27. Some changes are livable but others not so much... The bill will now be voted on by the full Senate. Mile High NORML is urging patient rights supporters to contact their state senators and urge them to vote No on HB1284.

L.105 -- withdrawn, Romer is planning on offering it at appropriations (this is one with the $35,000 fee)

L.106 -- withdrawn (would have required centers with 300+ patients to have massage therapist etc onsite)

L.107 -- Adopted (requires 2yr residency)

L.108 -- withdrawn (1000ft school ban)

L.109 -- withdrawn, Romer would like to offer it on the floor after he works with people on this, Newell is interested in it (edibles waiver)

L.110 -- withdrawn (excess product to nonprofit)

L.111 -- withdrawn, Romer wants to debate this one on the floor (under 21 ban in dispensaries)

L.112 -- Adopted (allows state charter banks, added in credit unions, to accept deposits)

L.113 -- Adopted (technical clean up; the second part of amendment moves violations under the criminal code)

L.119 -- Adopted, proposed by Foster, clarified language around local municipalities denying a renewal, struck lines 9-12 of amendment that dealt with public notice and hearings

L.120 -- Adopted, department of health amendment (clean up amendment, redefined caregiver and when patients card can be revoked - if knowingly went to a doc to get a recommendation and that doctor ended up losing right to recommend)

L.121 -- Adopted, proposed by Foster, state moratorium on licenses make local moratorium until state law is in effect, Newell voted no on this amendment.

"There are MANY substantial issues with HB1284, as passed by the House. You MUST take action to meet with your State Senator and his/her staff IMMEDIATELY and urge them to vote NO on this bill. This bill contains many unconstitutional provisions that amend or modify the Constitutional rights guaranteed to you by Amendment 20. More importantly, this law will make it close to impossible for most of you to continue to help your patients." Attorney Lauren Davis

"Let's hope legislators can understand even more basic economies of scale. With 100,000 voters now registered as patients and another couple million who believe strongly in medical marijuana rights, lawmakers should think twice before dismantling the dispensary industry." Attorney Rob Corry

2010 Global Marijuana March Aftermath

Saturday May 1st 2010. The weekend outlook called for a cold rainy morning and afternoon but the weather man couldn't have been more wrong. The sun was shining, the air was warm and the buds were fresh as 100 local activists from Denver gathered in Civic Center Park.

The Denver Police were eager to march along with us as they outnumbered us 2-1 at 10:30 in the morning when we showed up. Our crowd like usual took a little while to arrive but everyone got there in time and the march left at 11am sharp!

The Denver Police issued 2 citations for smoking cannabis in public during the march after we were told that there would be no problems?!? They claimed to have warned use before the event that they would still be issuing tickets along the parade route but no time did we ever hear them say that at all. Everyone in the parade was smoking, even as the Denver Police video taped the crowd but they used "there discretion" as they were quoted saying and picked out a young lady from the crowd and who was walking a little slower and pulling up the rear of the march and gave her a citation for public consumption and let her go on her way.

Denver Global Marijuana March

Denver, CO -Join in the Denver Global Marijuana March on May 1^st, 2010, at 11am. Assembly will start at 10:30am at Civic Center Park and the March will commence at 11am. This is a permitted event with honorable police escorts that will be protecting our 1^st Amendment rights to free speech. The March will start at the Denver City & County Building; proceed down the middle of15^th Street, to Welton and 17^th Street, up 17^th Street to Broadway, and finishing at Lincoln Park on Colfax and Broadway in front of the Veterans Memorial. Entertainment and various speakers will follow at Veterans Memorial Park across from the State Capitol. Speak out, stand up!!

The Denver Global Marijuana March addresses many social issues, including Marijuana and the people around Marijuana Prohibition, Sexual Orientation Disparities, Immigration Disparities, Poverty Disparities, Health Care Reform, Economic Justice, Civic Engagement, Women's Rights, and other social issues. The March is key in uniting these groups through Marijuana. United we stand, divided we fall.

The Denver Global Marijuana March will feature speakers, education, and a plethora of information. The March will provide people with a voice and help them develop confidence to not be afraid of a stigma! The March is all-inclusive and also provides encouragement and support for Civic Engagement. Miguel Lopez the leader of the 420 Rally explains, "Through the Global Marijuana March, we will help these groups unite!"

The organizers of the March are asking all participants to wear white shirts. Protest banners, signs, etc. are permitted and encouraged at this event. The focus is on re-legalization with a priority for medical marijuana patients and those with medical conditions and debilitating diseases. Speak out and be heard!

This event is proudly sponsored by Rob Corry, Mile High Norml, and the 420 Rally/Miguel Lopez, Community Organizer. For more information, please contact either Tiny Martinez at 720.365.8187, or Miguel Lopez at 720.338.8766.

NORML Remembers ‘The Hemperor’ Jack Herer

FROM the NORML BLOG:

NORML is saddened to report the passing of Jack Herer, the founder of the modern day hemp movement. Jack suffered a heart attack after speaking at last year’s Portland Hempstalk event, and had been in a physician-induced coma for several days afterward. The past seven months have been a struggle to recover for Jack – he awakened from the coma and had been making progress in regaining his health. Friends and family confirm that Herer, known throughout the world as ‘The Hemperor,’ passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 11:07am Pacific Time in Eugene, Oregon. He was 70 years old.

Jack began his cannabis activism in earnest in the early 1970s when he “swore to work every day until pot was legal, … or [he] turned 84.” Throughout the next ten years he led several statewide marijuana legalization efforts on west coast, primarily in California and Oregon.

Jack received worldwide attention in recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s for the publication of his seminal work, The Emperor Wears No Clothes, which has now sold over 600,000 copies — making it the most widely read marijuana law reform title ever published. The book’s tagline, “How hemp can still save the world,” introduced hundreds of thousands of activists to the environmental and industrial uses of cannabis, which in turn relaunched the modern day hemp movement and global hemp industry. While researching his book, Jack unearthed a copy of the long-lost United States Department of Agriculture film, “Hemp for Victory,” which documented the federal government’s previous support for domestic hemp cultivation.

Jack’s dedication to cannabis activism was the subject of the 1989 film documentary, The Emperor of Hemp. Shortly following the release of the film, Jack suffered a stroke, which temporarily limited his speech and mobility. However, by mid-2000 Herer appeared to have made almost a full recovery from his illness, a feat he credited to the power of hemp’s therapeutic properties.

Today Jack’s name and memory lives on in the hemp activism of the millions who were influenced by his words and passion. The popular cannabis strain Jack Herer also bears his name.

NORML expresses its sincere condolences to the friends and family of Jack Herer.

Denver's 3rd Annual 4/20 Rally

We are proud to announce that Allen St. Pierre The Executive Director of NORML and the NORML Foundation has agreed to spend the 4/20 Cannabis Holiday in Denver giving the keynote speech for us at the 3rd Annual Denver 4/20 Rally in Civic Center Park! Read more below in this weeks NORML's E-Zine!

FROM NORML.ORG:

Denver 4/20 Rally Fundraising Party At Casselman's! Help Fund A History-Making 4/20 Political Rally To End Prohibition!

Dear NORML Supporters in Colorado,

There will soon be more than just the smell of spring in the air on the Front Range! In just a few weeks there will be the smell of personal freedom at America's largest pro-cannabis law reform rally on 4/20!

I'm looking forward to joining the masses and speaking at this year's historic event in the state that has embraced cannabis law reform faster and stronger than any state in the last decade. The explosive growth in the popularity of Colorado's medical cannabis laws can and should be celebrated on what has virtually become a nationally recognized holiday for cannabis consumers.

Putting on massive rallies obviously takes a lot of resources and commitment from dedicated women and men who support the underlying social cause. The 4/20 rally costs a significant amount of money to properly stage, make secure, safe and clean, rent port-o-potties, promote, etc...

You can directly fund this year's 4/20 rally in Denver—the nation's largest 4/20 political rally—by attending a well-planned and exciting fundraising event at Casselman's in Denver on Friday night, April 9.

Admission costs are low ($5 for patients, $10 for non-patients) and part of the proceeds also help fund Mile High NORML's cannabis law reform advocacy efforts.

Enjoy the great entertainment at the 4/20 Rally Fundraiser this Friday and I'll see you on 4/20 in Denver.

Thanks, as always, for caring and sharing!

Kind regards,

Allen St. Pierre
Executive Director
NORML
Washington, D.C.
director@norml.org
NORML and the NORML Foundation: 1600 K Street NW, Suite 501, Washington DC, 20006-2832 Tel: (202) 483-5500 • Fax: (202) 483-0057 • Email: norml@norml.org

April 2nd and 3rd 2010: Colorado Cannabis Convention

Tickets are still on sale for only $15. This event is open to the public and there will be no medicine allowed on site.

Ken Gorman Marijuana Legalization Memorial Rally

Ken Gorman was a marijuana activist who was shot and killed in his home on February 17, 2007 when he interrupted a burglary inside his marijuana garden and his killers have never been brought to justice. We remember Ken the best way we know how. By continuing his monthly rally at the capital. A rally that has been a proud part of our community in Denver for the last 15 years

Join us this Saturday March 27 and every last Saturday of the month after from 3-5pm @ Colorado State Capitol Building on the West Steps. Its conveniently located at the corner of Colfax and Lincoln in Denver. Signage and Costumes are always welcome!

Walmart Fires Cancer Patient for Legally Using Medical Marijuana

Joseph Casias, 29, has sinus cancer and an inoperable brain tumor.

Despite his condition, he has dutifully gone to work every day for the last five years at a Walmart in Battle Creek, Michigan, where in 2008 he was named Associate of the Year.

Casias is also a legal medical marijuana patient under Michigan state law. He uses marijuana with the recommendation of his doctor to relieve the effects of cancer.

But Walmart, the world’s largest public corporation, has no sympathy for his condition or regard for Michigan’s state law. Last November, Walmart fired Casias because he tested positive for marijuana during a routine drug screening.

Here’s what a Walmart spokesman had to say:

“In states, such as Michigan, where prescriptions for marijuana can be obtained, an employer can still enforce a policy that requires termination of employment following a positive drug screen. We believe our policy complies with the law and we support decisions based on the policy.”

To add insult to injury, Walmart is now challenging Casias’ eligibility for unemployment. Simply outrageous. This is the thanks he gets for showing up to work and doing his job for the last five years, despite being stricken with a life-threatening illness. “I gave them everything,” Casias told a local news outlet. “One-hundred-ten percent every day. Anything they asked me to do I did. More than they asked me to do. Twelve to 14 hours a day.”

Sadly, the dilemma facing medical marijuana patients who still have no legal protection from being fired is nothing new.

Readers who would like to register a complaint with Walmart can find corporate contact information here.

PRESS RELEASE 03/03/2010

Protest against HB-1284 at the Capitol

Event Coordinators:

Scott Greene 720-495-0766: scott@milehighnorml.org

Miguel Lopez 720-338-8766: mpedrolopez@yahoo.com

WHO: Mile High NORML, the Denver 420 Rally, the Cannabis Therapy Institute, and

the Colorado Coalition for Patients and Caregivers (CCPC)

WHAT: Protest Against HB1284

WHEN: 12PM, Thursday, March 4, 2010

WHERE: West Steps of the Capitol , 200 East Colfax Avenue

WHY: HB1284 would create an unnecessary state bureaucracy,

raise patients’ costs, and restrict their access to medicine

“My clients' lives literally depend on their access to medicine, and

we will fight any government proposal that would restrict supply

and raise costs, such as this proposal. “ Robert J. Corry

Assembly:

11:30AM Mingle with other activists

Speakers:

12:00PM Rob Corry, Cannabis Crusader and Defense Attorney

12:20PM Dr. Robert Melamede, Assoc. Professor at UCCS, CEO of Cannabis Science Inc.

12:40PM Miguel Lopez, Executive Director of Denver’s annual 4/20 Rally

1:00PM Robert Chase, Founder of CCPC

Action:

1:30PM Join us as at the House Judiciary Committee Hearing on HB1284

in the Old Supreme Court Chambers on the second floor of the Capitol

to show our opposition to the bill.

4:20PM Don’t want to spend all afternoon (and evening) in the Capitol?

Come march on the 16^th St. Mall!

Several important upcoming events this week

TODAY MARCH 1

(After) 10AM: Second reading of SB109 in the House. This will be the first time there will be floor debate in the House on this bill.
This is an opportunity to hear Representatives' opinions about SB109, which infringes on the doctor-patient relationship.
Assemble in the House Galleries on the third floor. The Bill is 6th on the agenda but it should move though rather rapidly.

5PM - 6PM: Join Mile High NORML and others as they will Protest Against Denver City Council's Medical Marijuana Ordinance & Closure of Hundreds of Dispensaries in front of the Denver City & County Building, 1437 Bannock St.

The Denver City Council convenes at 5:30PM, so let's make some noise!

THURSDAY, MARCH 4

(after) 1:30PM: House Judiciary Committee Hearing on HB1284 in the Old Supreme Court Chambers.
This is the first public hearing on this bad legislation.

I have been told that all obnoxious provisions have been taken out of or soon will be removed from both bills -- I'll believe it when I see it!

Ken Gorman Memorial "420 Rally"

Ken Gorman was a marijuana activist who was shot and killed in his home on February 17, 2007 when he interrupted a burglary inside his marijuana garden and his killers have never been brought to justice. We remember Ken the best way we know how. By continuing his monthly rally at the capital. A rally that has been a proud part of our community in Denver for the last 15 years

Join us Today from 3-5pm @ Colorado State Capitol Building on the West Steps. Its conveniently located at the corner of Colfax and Lincoln in Denver. Signage and Costumes are always welcome!

Colorado MMJ Patients/Caregivers URGENT CALL TO ACTION: House Bill 1284

The Law Office of Robert J. Corry

Lauren C. Davis, co-counsel

600 17^th St. Suite 2800 Denver, CO 80202

(303) 634-2253 fax: (888) 319-1805

February 23, 2010

Dear Patients, Caregivers, and Supporters,

We are asking you to take action NOW to protect your rights under Amendment 20. The House Judiciary Committee will be considering House Bill 1284 at 1:30 p.m. on March 4 in the Old Supreme Court Chambers of the Capitol.

1) Mark the date on your calendars

2) Get the word out

3) Pack the room

But you cannot wait until then to make your voices heard. Lawmakers, lobbyists for large dispensaries and law enforcement are already in the back rooms making deals. You need to contact your local State Representatives IMMEDIATELY to arrange face to face meetings.

Meet with your elected officials directly or their staffs, but you must act NOW. You, the patients and caregivers, are best suited to explain how and why the bloated regulatory system being proposed will harm patients and destroy your caregiving plans.

This scary proposal:

- creates a bloated, multi-million dollar state licensing authority that will wipe you out of existence

- imposes a year-long statewide moratorium on new dispensaries and grow operations

- prohibits people convicted of any felony or drug misdemeanor, including simple possession of a joint, from being a caregiver

- allows local governments to ban medical marijuana facilities altogether

- re-imposes a Five Patient per caregiver limit

- obliterates your constitutional right against self incrimination

- violates your First Amendment rights

- provides that you can lose your medical marijuana license if any of your employees or agents violates any of the voluminous regulations or the law

- provides that patients can lose their licenses if their caregivers violate the law

- requires you to notify the State every time you hire or fire an employee, partner….

And these are just some of the horrors.

Caregivers need to educate lawmakers on why they cannot do it all. You successfully convinced the Board of Health why the mere provision of medical marijuana for a patient IS a significant responsibility. Now you need to get out there and convince your elected officials.

Caregivers who grow need to educate lawmakers about the difficulties of growing medical marijuana - the issues of strain nutrition, lighting, watering, pests, plant disease, etc.; why you need to be allowed to work with other caregivers to best help your patients (or if you ever want to go on vacation again); the hours and money involved, etc.

Caregivers that own dispensaries/ retail outlets must educate your lawmakers on the business aspects of caregiving and why you should be allowed to run your operation without government strangulation. Your business model will be wiped out of existence under this plan (all but those modeled on Harborside et.al. will be).

Patients – only you can help your lawmakers understand your plight. Why you don’t want the government to interfere in your selection of a caregiver; why you may want a caregiver who has a conviction for cultivation in his past; why you should not lose your medical marijuana rights if your caregiver violates the law.

Time is of the essence in this fight. This bill must be stopped. We will be sending out another email with additional talking points in the next few days. But schedule your meetings NOW.

To find contact information for your representatives, go to

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1165693060219&pagename=CO-Portal%2FPage%2FCXPStandardLayout Click on the search function that uses your zip code.

Forward this email, provide hard copies to your patients, and get the word out. You need to contact your State Representatives to convince them to VOTE NO on HB 1284 before it is too late. Remember, in our democracy, your elected officials work for YOU.

Gratefully Yours,

Lauren C. Davis

Robert J. Corry

Attorneys at Law

Attention Colorado: We Need You Today

Earlier this week, SAFER asked you to call on Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to replace Lt. Ernie Martinez on the Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel after a letter was discovered in which he compared supporters of marijuana legalization to "a cancer eating away at society's resolve and moral fiber."

Hundreds of you sent messages to Mayor Hickenlooper, letting him know such a viewpoint completely contradicts the Panel's mission and that Lt. Martinez should be removed. To our knowledge he has not responded to you or to the media.

A response is needed, and if the Mayor isn't going to provide one, we will!

We need as many people as possible to attend the next meeting of the Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel, which will be this coming Tuesday (2/23) at the Denver City and County Building (1437 Bannock St.). SAFER will be holding a news conference beforehand, which will begin at 3 p.m., so PLEASE arrive by 2:45 p.m. As Hickenlooper begins his campaign to become Colorado's next governor, we must make sure he knows...

WHAT: News conference and meeting of the Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel

WHEN: This TUESDAY, Feb. 23, 2:45 p.m.

WHERE: In front of the Denver City and County Bldg, 1437 Bannock St. (map/directions)

WHY: To call on Mayor Hickenlooper to remove Lt. Ernie Martinez from the Panel and follow the will of Denver voters

After voters approved a new ordinance designating marijuana possession Denver's lowest law enforcement priority, Mayor Hickenlooper appointed a Panel to implement the new law "to the greatest extent possible." Why would he appoint Lt. Martinez -- an anti-marijuana crusader and the head of an organization fighting to keep marijuana illegal and wipe out medical marijuana -- to a panel that is working to reduce marijuana arrests and prosecutions?

One Love Festival/Caregivers' Cup Patient Empowerment Event

Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010
4:00 pm til 10:00 pm
Oriental Theater
4335 W 44th Ave
Denver, CO

The Colorado Cannabis Caregivers' Cup is a fun and humorous competition among legal patients and caregivers to see who has cultivated the "best" medicine. This competition will take place in conjunction with the "One Love, People Get Ready" entertainment event at the Oriental Theatre, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative. So, in addition to getting to see some of Colorado's best medicines, you will get to hear great music, speakers and meet a lot of other patients and caregivers.

CANNABIS CAREGIVERS' CUP MEDICINE ENTRIES
If you are proud of your garden. here are the rules:
1) You must be a legal Colorado patient or caregiver.
2) A $50 donation or equivalent raffle items will be requested for your entry.
3) You must provide 28 grams of your medicine in a glass jar. All medicine will be photographed, so pick your most photogenic buds. Medicine will not be returned but will be donated to needy patients.
4) Entries must be received between 4:00pm and 5:00pm at the Oriental Theatre on Feb. 21.
5) Each medicine jar must have a label which includes:
Name: Cultivator's name as they would like to be credited publicly.
Strain:
Method grown:
Indoor or outdoor:
Elevation grown:
Organic or non-organic:
Medicinal testimonials: What conditions does this strain work well for?

JUDGING
Judging: The judges will be all the legal patients at the event. To be a patient-judge, we are requesting a $25 donation. Each patient will be given a scorecard. Since different cannabis strains are used to treat so many different conditions, judging the "best" medicine would be impossible. Therefore, we will judge the medicine based on aesthetic properties. Awards will be given in these categories: Most Photogenic, Best Aroma and the coveted Patient's Choice Award.

AWARD
The winner of the Patient's Choice Award will win an APPLE IPAD (suggested retail $499.)

VENDOR TABLES:
Want to table at the event? Click here to submit an application.

MEDICINE
Medicine-dispensing and medicine-combustion will not be allowed at this event. However, the Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative will have vaporizers available for legal patients and "pot luck" food contributions will be donated to share.

Please note: This is a private, not a public, event. Access is limited only to legal patients and caregivers showing positive, affirmative defense as provided by the Colorado Department of Health Medical Marijuana Registry, as well as accompanying state-issued photo identification at the door. This is solely an educational gathering. Absolutely no medication will be dispensed on site. Rules prohibit any discussion of specific instances of securing medication with "no drug dealing" allowed in "any way, shape or form" onsite during this event. We reserve the right to refuse entry to this private gathering.

This event is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative.
http://www.meetup.com/North-Denver-Medical-Marijuana-Discussion-Group/

All proceeds will go to support the Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative and the fight against repressive legislation that would deny safe access to medicine for patients.

Attention Colorado Patients Rally Today!

The President is coming to town and we will joining Sensible Colorado today across the street from the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver at High NOON in Protest of the latest DEA raids in Colorado...

According to SensibleColorado.org

Medical Marijuana Patients and Supporters to Rally at President Obama Event

DENVER, CO — On Thursday, February 18, at an event to be attended by President Obama, medical marijuana patients and supporters will participate in a protest of the continuing federal raids of medical marijuana patients and providers in Colorado. This event is a response to the recent Drug Enforcement Administration raids of two front-range medical marijuana testing facilities and the Feb. 12 raid of a licensed medical marijuana grower in Highlands Ranch.

“These DEA raids are out of compliance with both the will of Colorado voters and that of the White House,” said Brian Vicente, event organizer and director of Sensible Colorado. “In particular, the recent, armed raid and arrest of licensed medical marijuana provider Chris Bartkowicz, highlights the rogue nature of the regional DEA office. “President Obama needs to be made aware of this agency’s miscreant actions.”

Colorado voters passed a medical marijuana law in 2000. In October, 2009, the Department of Justice issued a memo instructing federal agents to refrain from focusing resources on the arrest and prosecution of individuals following state medical marijuana laws. That memo is available here.

WHAT: Medical Marijuana Protest at Event Attended by President Obama
WHO: **PHOTO-OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE** with Sign-Waving Medical Marijuana Patient, Providers, and Supporters.
WHEN: Thursday, February 18 from Noon - 1:00 PM
WHERE: Across from the Fillmore Auditorium, at the corner of Colfax and Clarkson in Denver, CO.

See Everyone There!

DEA: Colorado marijuana dispensaries are illegal

The Associated Press

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — The top Drug Enforcement Administration officer in Denver says marijuana dispensaries that are popping up across the state are illegal.

Federal agents raided the home of a marijuana grower who spoke publicly about his large and profitable operation in his basement. DEA agents arrested Chris Bartkowicz at his Highlands Ranch home Friday during a raid in which agents seized dozens of marijuana plants.

Denver DEA Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Sweetin says marijuana is not medicine and is still illegal under federal law. Sweetin said he's been gathering information on dispensary owners and their operations for months.

"Technically, every dispensary in the state is in blatant violation of federal law," Sweetin told The Denver Post. "The time is coming when we go into a dispensary, we find out what their profit is, we seize the building and we arrest everybody. They're violating federal law; they're at risk of arrest and imprisonment."

The raids and Sweetin's comments come nearly four months after Deputy U.S. Attorney General David Ogden sent a memo advising federal law enforcement that people using medical marijuana in "clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws" not be targeted for arrest.

Sweetin said the memo deals with medical marijuana patients and small-scale growers, not commercial enterprises. Guidelines in the memo call for examining the number of plants and the profits that exceed what state law intended in determining which ones are illegal, Sweetin said.

Parts of an interview Bartkowicz gave to Denver station KUSA-TV for a story that was to air Friday night were published in The Denver Post.

"I'm definitely living the dream now," he said before his arrest of his marijuana growing operation that he hoped would turn profits in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

U.S. Attorney spokesman Jeff Dorschner said Bartkowicz would remain in custody through the holiday weekend before prosecutors decide Tuesday whether to file charges.

Meanwhile, about 95 miles south of Denver, jurors in Pueblo Saturday were deliberating a case that could clarify limits on how much medical marijuana users could grow.

Prosecutors Anthony Marzavas and Steve Jones argued that 55-year-old Thomas Sexton used language in the state's constitutional amendment to manipulate the system to get more plants than needed. Sexton faces marijuana cultivation and possession charges.

"That's as simple as it gets," Jones said during closing statements Friday. "This is not a movement, it's a trial, and the law still exists that makes this a felony."

Police seized 128 marijuana plants when Sexton's home was raided in August 2007. Colorado's voter-approved medical marijuana law allows users to have 2 ounces of marijuana or six plants, but allows more under certain circumstances.

During his trial, Sexton told the jury that he uses medical marijuana because of pain caused by metal plates and braces screwed into his right femur following a 2004 skiing accident. Sexton said he also provided marijuana for six patients, saying he and two others had a doctor's recommendation for additional marijuana.

Two of those patients testified that they eat their marijuana or distill the plant in oil or butter and use it as a topical solution, requiring more plants than if they smoked it.

Both cases come as medical marijuana proponents call for lawmakers to establish clear rules for dispensaries.

"All we're trying to do is follow the rules," said Matt Brown, executive director of Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation.