The law
Amendment 20 to the Colorado state constitution passed, during the November 2000 general election, legalizing marijuana for medical use. However, the fact that possession of marijuana remained a federal offense, nullified any practical effect the new amendment may have had here in Colorado. That is, until the Justice Department recently stated, "it will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers, as long as they conform to state laws." This flung the doors wide open for the burgeoning medical marijuana industry.
The process in Colorado
Becoming a legal medical marijuana patient in Colorado is easy, as long as you qualify for medical reasons as defined by section 14 (a) (I) (II) and (III) of Article XVIII of Amendment 20 of the Colorado constitution. There are a whole host of conditions under which one may qualify . According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), statistically severe pain ranks first with 90%, muscle spasms are second with 29%, followed by severe nausea with 22%. Various other conditions round out the list.
After you qualify, you'll need to have an attending MD or DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) fill out the Physicians Certificate. Physicians don't write prescriptions for medical marijuana, they instead "conclude that this patient may benefit from the medical use of marijuana." You'll then have to fill out the application, assigning a "caregiver" if you so choose and mail it off with a check for $90, payable to CDPHE (the address is on the forms). You may print these forms online, located in one PDF file at CDPHE's site.
By now, if you've clicked on any of the links to CDPHE's website, you've probably found them to be helpful and informative. There are other resources available including a "Hot Topic" page, so be sure to browse.
What's next?
For you, you'll need to wait at least 35 days before you can do anything else (i.e. Legally medicate). If you haven't received either a rejection (typically 3 to 4 weeks) or acceptance (typically 9 to 11 weeks) after 35 days of receipt of your application paperwork, you are to be considered legally "accepted" until further notice.
As for this column, we will be looking into the caregiver/patient relationship, the difference between a caregiver and a dispensary, a dispensary as a caregiver; so that you can make the best choice for your particular circumstances and needs. It's not a one size fits all deal.
If the information in this article was "old hat" to you; if you're in the industry or just plain chronic and were hoping for more of the latest industry info, hang in there. This column will progress (grow) with time. In the meantime, Kevin may be contacted at milehighmed@gmail.com or you can follow him on twitter at milehighmed.
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