Colorado is one of the fourteen states with laws that have legalized medical use of marijuana, despite the fact that marijuana is still illegal under federal law. Throughout the Bush Administration, D.E.A. officials were still instructed to crack down on medical marijuana dispensaries as violators of federal law. However, under the Obama Administration, Attorney General Eric Holder has asked agents to place investigations of medical marijuana use as one of the lowest priorities for the DEA. This has significantly added to the swelling of the medical marijuana industry in Colorado.http://www.westword.com/2009-02-05/news/medical-marijuana-has-become-a-growth-industry-in-colorado/

In June 2010, two new medical marijuana laws became effective in Colorado. According to this 70/30 legislation, dispensaries are required to grow a minimum of 70 percent of their products. In a similar fashion, growers must sell 70 percent of their crops through one dispensary. The majority of growers and dispensaries do not currently meet this new criteria, and will not be able to afford to do so. To avoid prosecution, it is expected that many dispensaries will close. Marijuana co-ops are also banned under the new Colorado law.http://boulderreporter.com/new-medical-marijuana-laws-trouble-ahead/It also provides cities and counties the authority to restrict the number of dispensaries that are allotted. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/07/colorado-medical-marijuan_28_n_603197.html

In 2000 Colorado passed an amendment to the state constitution allowing patients to use medical marijuana under the supervision of a physician.http://www.drugpolicy.org/statebystate/colorado/ According to a 2003 Department of Justice report, marijuana placed first as the most widely available and most commonly abused illegal drug in Colorado. Most of the marijuana available in the state comes from Mexico, California and Canada.http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs4/4300/marijuan.htm In 2003 the Colorado legislature approved and the governor signed a bill reducing the sentencing for minor infractions of possession under certain amounts.http://www.drugpolicy.org/statebystate/colorado/

Since these laws have been enforced, the industry of medical marijuana has become a big part of business in Colorado. The largest dispensary in the state is operated out of the Colorado Springs strip mall. In the legal marijuana business, the average cheap varieties are priced at $250 an ounce, while the products considered more "high quality" sell for up to $500 an ounce. Patients who wish to use medical marijuana must present a copy of their Colorado medical marijuana patient card if they wish to make a purchase.http://www.westword.com/2009-02-05/news/medical-marijuana-has-become-a-growth-industry-in-colorado/

Health conditions that a medical marijuana card will be provided for within the state of Colorado are cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, severe pain, severe nausea, epilepsy, or persistent muscle spasms. Other conditions are subject to approval by the Colorado Board of Health. Patients must be in possession of written documentation from their physician stating that the individual suffers from a debilitating condition that may be relieved by medical marijuana.http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881#Colorado Patients who have not joined the registry or possess amounts of marijuana that are not allowed by law can argue the "affirmative defense of medical necessity" in court after being arrested for marijuana charges.

In the state of Colorado, medical marijuana may only legally be prescribed to those who have what are known to be debilitating illnesses. These types of illnesses include HIV (or AIDS), glaucoma, cancer and others. For those who have qualifying illnesses, their conditions should bring about symptoms that are treatable with marijuana use (such as nausea, pain or seizures).http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hs/medicalmarijuana/AdoptedRules0200900360.pdf

Those with medical conditions that do not currently qualify them for medical marijuana may petition to have their illness added to the list. For example, on September 15 there will be a hearing to allow medical marijuana to be used by sufferers of Tourette's Syndrome.http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hs/medicalmarijuana/index.html

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. Please contact your doctor and attorney before using the information presented here.