Sensible Colorado News

On Monday August 9th, the Denver City Council will hear a first reading of an ordinance to BAN caregivers from growing medical marijuana for any patient in any residential zone district. The ordinance will make it a zoning violation for anyone to grow more than 12 plants in any residential zone district. In addition, the 12 plants can only be grown for patients who live at that address. This ordinance will effectively ban the caregiver model of safe access in Denver!

It gets worse…..

Ordinance C10-0607 is being introduced by Councilmember Jeanne Robb, who admits that she did not consult a single patient during the drafting process!

The ordinance will be heard for a first reading on Monday night at 5:30p. If it passes first reading, a public hearing will be scheduled for sometime in September, along with a final vote.

Please call you city council representative TODAY and tell them to vote NO on Ordinance C10-0607. The city council should send the ordinance back to the drawing board and draft an ordinance that regulates - not bans - small time caregivers in Denver.

Important Targets: Councilwoman Jeanne Robb:  303 377 1807 Councilman Chris Nevitt:  720 865 8900 Councilwoman Carla Madison:  303 298 7641

Message: Please vote NO on C10-0607.  This change will hurt medical marijuana patients who rely on small caregivers to provide them with low cost medicine.  Please don’t act to limit patient access to medicine in Denver!

**Support Sensible Colorado’s efforts to help patients and caregivers by clicking here.

I can’t imagine anyone more worthy of public largesse than a veteran.” -Dr. Sally Satel, psychiatrist and expert on PTSD

Medical marijuana may soon be a viable medical option for veterans and others who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Colorado.  Thanks to the courageous efforts of veterans and supporters from across the state, Sensible Colorado and a retired Army Sergeant, submitted an official petition to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment asking them to add PTSD to the list of qualifying medical marijuana conditions.

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At a press conference earlier, state Representative Joe Miklosi spoke in favor of the petition calling for a fair and objective review process from the CDPHE. You can view Rep. Miklosi’s comments by clicking here. You can also read coverage of this event by clicking here, here, and here.

Sensible Colorado also wishes to express our deepest gratitude to those veterans who traveled great distances to attend yesterday’s event! Thank you for your service and your support!

Help our Veterans

(1) Press Conference and Rally to Support Medical Marijuana Access for PTSD Victims
WHAT: Sensible Colorado and local veterans have teamed up to submit an official petition to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to add Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, known as PTSD, to the list of conditions eligible for medical marijuana recommendations.  On submission day we will be holding a rally and press conference to support this important cause! WHEN: Wednesday July 7, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. WHERE: 4300 Cherry Creek Drive, South, Denver, CO (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) HOW YOU CAN HELP: Attend the Rally!  Tell your friends!  Forward this email!

(2)  Sensible Colorado Fundraiser at Quixote’s in Denver WHAT: Music, Legal and Educational Seminars, BBQ and more!  Proceeds to benefit Sensible Colorado and event organized by Denver Relief.  Click for more info HERE WHEN: Sunday, July 11 from 2:00pm to Midnight (legal seminars begin at 6:00pm) WHERE: Quixote’s True Blue, 2151 Lawrence St., Denver 80205

(3) Medical Marijuana Update: Please note that the Health Department has developed new “patient application forms” which are available HERE. We suggest that all new patients and renewals begin using these forms immediately.

Press Conference and Rally Event to Support Medical Marijuana Access for PTSD Victims

WHAT : Sensible Colorado and local veterans have teamed up to submit an official petition to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to add Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, known as PTSD, to the list of conditions eligible for medical marijuana recommendations.  On submission day we will be holding a rally and press conference to support this important cause!

WHEN : Wednesday July 7, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE : 4300 Cherry Creek Drive, South. Denver, CO (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment)

HOW YOU CAN HELP : Attend the Rally!  Tell your friends!  Forward this email!  Print out and distribute the above flier to friends, colleagues, and customers.

Attention Veterans, those who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and supporters:

As you may remember during the recent debate over HB-1284, an amendment was introduced that would have added Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to the list of qualifying conditions under Colorado’s medical marijuana law.  Despite the mountain of scientific evidence, and the very moving testimony of over fifty veterans at the Board of Health meeting last July, the state’s Chief Medical Officer, Ned Calonge, campaigned very aggressively against this amendment resulting in the House Judiciary Committee rejecting it by a vote of 6-5.

In response to this irresponsible disregard for our veterans’ well being, Sensible Colorado and allies have drafted a petition that will soon be submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to include PTSD as a qualifying condition under the state’s medical marijuana program.

We are seeking veterans to assist with this effort, so, if you are a veteran who supports this issue, please contact Dan at dan@sensiblecolorado.org.

We need your help in the fight to protect safe access to medicine.  Please consider donating HERE to support this important work.

May 30th Strategy and Networking Workshop

The national non-profit, Americans for Safe Access, and Sensible Colorado are hosting a Stakeholder Meeting on Sunday, May 30, 2010 from 10 am-4 pm in Denver.  (RSVP here!) The purpose of this meeting is to bring medical cannabis stakeholders, leaders, and activists together to discuss:

1. Challenges to the implementation of Colorado’s medical cannabis laws
2. Develop a campaign outline for solutions to move forward
3. Determine how we can work together to make this law work for patients
4. Get an update about what is happening nationally and how CO can help

This is a wonderful opportunity to come together– and work together– to guarantee greater safe access in Colorado. Please RSVP at: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/182/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=60719

Meeting Location: 4305 Brighton Blvd. (Exit off 70 at Brighton Blvd.& go SOUTH, the entrance is 1,000 feet south of the freeway on the right). Date: Sunday, May 30th, 2010 10 am-4 pm

**Meeting space donated by Toni and Barry Fox – Thanks!

**Free statewide trainings next week!**

Attention Patients and Supporters:
Sensible Colorado will be holding a series of trainings next week to discuss the new state laws and their effect on medical marijuana patients.  Learn about SB 109– the “Doctor/Patient Relationship Bill” and HB 1284– the “Dispensary Bill” and what they mean for Colorado’s 50,000+ medical patients.  No RSVP necessary at these free events, however please consider donating to support our work on behalf of patients.

Denver Training When:  Monday, May 17 from 6-7:30p Where:  1881 S. Broadway, Denver 80210 What:  Free patient training on new state laws

Colorado Springs Training When:  Tuesday, May 18 from 6-7:30p Where: Ruth Holley Library Meeting Room, 685 North Murray Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO What:  Free patient training on new state laws

Ft. Collins Training When:  Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 6-7:30p Where:  Ben Delatour Room, Main Library, 201 Peterson Street,

Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 What:  Free patient training on new state laws

**Also please mark your calendar for a medical marijuana leader and activist “Stakeholder meeting” on May 30 in Denver.  Join nationally recognized expert Steph Sherer (ASA) and Sensible Colorado staff in developing a grassroots plan to ensure safe access in Colorado.  More details to follow soon.

Sensible Colorado would like to thank out project partners, thekindroom.org and marijuanapatientadvocates.com for helping to secure space for these events.