Coalition Applauds Arapahoe County Ruling on Centennial Medical Marijuana Dispensary Case

Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation, the leading coalition of medical marijuana patients, providers and growers supporting responsible regulation of medical marijuana, today voiced its support for the ruling by District Judge Christopher Cross that barred the city of Centennial, Colo., from closing a medical marijuana dispensary. In his ruling, Judge Cross said the city of Centennial cannot use “the potential violation of federal law to order a business legally operating under our state constitution to cease and desist,” and that the laws regulating dispensaries are not clear. “Judge Cross’s decision underscores the need for statewide rules that promote public safety, provide local control and provide patients with safe access to dispensaries and caregivers,” said Matt Brown, executive director of Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation. “Both citizens and lawmakers want reasonable regulations that provide safe, responsible access to and use of medical marijuana.” Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation is working with lawmakers to develop medical marijuana regulations. The coalition’s guidelines support medical marijuana business regulations that set uniform state standards and provide for local control to ensure public input. The guidelines also incorporate best practices within existing regulatory structures and provide state and local governments with adequate taxes and fees. The Need for Responsible Regulation: In 2000, Colorado voters passed
Amendment 20, a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of medical marijuana by persons who are suffering from debilitating medical conditions. The amendment also creates exemptions to Colorado criminal law for medical marijuana patients and their primary caregivers. One of the areas of Amendment 20 needing further clarity is the role of medical marijuana dispensaries. Legislation to regulate the medical marijuana dispensary industry is expected to be introduced during the 2010 session of the Colorado General Assembly. A
recent poll showed that Colorado voters overwhelmingly favor establishing state-licensed marijuana dispensaries for persons who are suffering from debilitating medical conditions. By a margin of 2-to-1, 64 percent of voters said they would approve proposals that would establish state-licensed marijuana dispensaries to cultivate and provide marijuana to patients with doctors’ recommendations. About Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation is a coalition of medical marijuana patients and providers supporting responsible regulation of medical marijuana. Formed in 2009, the coalition is actively engaged with Colorado legislators and law enforcement officers to establish criteria for the regulation of medical marijuana in order to make a positive difference in people’s lives. For more information, visit
www.commr.org or call (303) 335-0834.