Tobacco News

Confusion over the conflicts, both imagined and real, between Arizona’s voter-approved medical-marijuana law and federal law has been running rampant in recent weeks.

On one hand, the federal government has warned growers and sellers of the potential for prosecution while stating a hands-off policy toward those who have been certified for use.

On the other hand, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and Attorney General Tom Horne have replied to U.S. Attorney for Arizona Dennis Burke’s warnings with yet another lawsuit, incurring more needless legal fees for Arizona taxpayers and seriously delaying full implementation of the new law. Ream more »

We, the public health and medical community, should rise up and yell: “We wuz robbed!” (“Is medical pot law workable?” June 9).

We were not consulted, nor did we realize what a diabolically clever measure this law was. The deal is between the marijuana industry and the “caregivers,” not physicians, not nurses, etc. They don’t need the business.
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A medical marijuana ordinance has been adopted by the city of Holland putting to rest a moratorium that banned dispensaries.

The ordinance does ban medical marijuana dispensaries and severely limits where a state qualified caregiver can set up shop with a drug-free zone amendment.

Inclusion of the drug-free zone was a contested issue Wednesday. That amendment passed by 5-4 vote. Councilman Myron Trethewey voted no because he wanted churches included in the zone.
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In the aftermath of a non-binding vote by citizens that nevertheless demonstrated some strong support for medical marijuana operations, Tuesday the Eagle County Commissioners discussed easing up on the regulations governing such operations.

Noting that they want to fine-tune their rule changes, the commissioners tabled formal action on the issue until June 14. During their discussion, they noted that the county’s new regulations are aimed at providing more options for medical marijuana businesses.
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As Colorado’s new tougher regulations on the medical marijuana business take hold — rules its sponsors predicted would curb sales — the industry is showing remarkable resilience. The state Department of Revenue is preparing to issue its first dispensary licenses and to aggressively enforce the new regulations. Still, of the 818 dispensaries that originally applied for licenses in August, 759 have managed to navigate the rules and remain on track to receive one. That is a drop-off of about 7 percent. Ream more »

If Ganja Gourmet’s plans to expand its edible-marijuana business to Phoenix come through, medical-pot users can expect it to be more of a cafe than a pharmacy.

Its Denver location is stocked with tamales, pot pot pies and mousse cakes, designed to cater to those who would rather eat than smoke their medicine.
“It’s safer than smoking and more socially acceptable,” said owner Steve Horwitz, who also believes there are health advantages to eating medical marijuana vs. smoking it. Ream more »

Parts of Arizona’s medical marijuana law are on hold. Governor Jan Brewer wants a judge to rule on how Federal law could affect pot dispensaries. Dispensary applications were set to begin June 1, but Brewer is still waiting for a judge to accept the case. Meanwhile, pharmacies have to wait.

For Greg Rogan, it’s a step in a process he says has grown increasingly more frustrating. The pharmacy owner has several clients with HIV, which is why he wanted to apply to dispense medical marijuana. In recent months, he says, restrictions have increased so much it’s not worth it. Now Brewer says a letter from a Federal prosecutor is scaring her into a lawsuit.
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As if raids from gun-toting Drug Enforcement Agency agents weren’t enough to make stoners paranoid, California’s medical marijuana clubs can also be shut down real fast by the IRS.

That’s because the Internal Revenue Service has declared that California’s legal medical cannabis collectives can not deduct the price of marijuana from their federal taxes; That’s unlike every other merchant in the country — deductions for goods sold is the only way to do business. Ream more »

The Legislature’s overhaul of medical marijuana became law, without the Governor’s signature, last week and under that new law the Department of Public Health and Human Services was supposed to stop issuing new medical marijuana cards until June first – but the department isn’t complying.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services says despite what the newly passed, Montana Marijuana Act says, it will continue issuing medical marijuana cards under the old law until June 20th.
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A recent trial in Arapahoe County shows how difficult it is to screen out determined frauds from obtaining medical marijuana.
Dr. Toribio Robert Mestas faced charges of forgery, attempting to influence a public servant, marijuana distribution and conspiracy to distribute marijuana for providing a Physician’s Certification last year to an undercover police officer. Arapahoe County District Judge Kurt Horton dismissed the charges last week. Ream more »