Written by Christopher Meyer | 6:28 pm on December 23, 2011

In all of the discussions that take place about marijuana’s role in our society and in our culture, recreational versus medicinal use of cannabis is often at the forefront of the conversation.

A recent Gallup poll showed 50% of Americans support legalization while 70% support making cannabis medically available.

What is the important difference for the 20% of those who favor making cannabis available medically, but do not wish to give access to adults? What about cannabis recreation is undesirable? Is there ever a time when cannabis use can be both recreational and medical? (more…)

Written by Christopher Meyer | 4:09 pm on October 19, 2011

Throughout the world the search to cure cancer surges on in university labs and private pharmaceutical companies.

Naturally occurring cannabinoids found in medical marijuana that interact with the immune and nervous systems have been shown to have anti-tumor properties.

Even with an abundance of supporting evidence, the US still limits research on cannabis in US labs with a heavy hand. Despite the concerted effort of a wide range of cannabis activists, the US will not reschedule marijuana to Schedule II where medicinally valuable controlled substances are grouped including cocaine, used as an anesthetic, and opioid pain killers. (more…)

Written by Christopher Meyer | 9:05 am on August 27, 2011

Societally we have an ingrained trust in the medical profession. Prior to the technological era, the doctor was often the most wise, educated, and trustworthy person within the community, relied upon not only for medical treatment, but for advice, counseling, and direction.

Rather unfortunately, the same cannot necessarily be said of today’s doctors who are so intrenched in the health care system dictated by the wiles of insurance companies. This combined with ever present pressure from pharmaceutical and medical technology companies to prescribe and employ their latest and greatest treatments, produces doctors who reflect their environment.
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Written by Christopher Meyer | 1:39 pm on August 24, 2011

Dispensary Business News and Denver Relief want your opinion.

Your experiences matter and can help the medical marijuana industry better suit patient needs.

The survey is anonymous and takes just 2 minutes. We would greatly appreciate your taking a moment to share your thoughts.

Click here to take the patient survey

Written by Christopher Meyer | 11:22 am on August 19, 2011

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

- Tenth Amendment

This is the second part in our series exploring how the advancement of the marijuana movement does more than just erode prohibitionist attitudes, and has far-reaching benefits in many aspects of our society.

Ending marijuana prohibition in Colorado isn’t just about the medicine. The ability of states to set laws that govern what goes on within their borders as provided by the Tenth Amendment is also at stake. (more…)

Written by Christopher Meyer | 12:57 pm on August 14, 2011

Consider the recent death of a teenager in jail who was arrested for marijuana possession after being stopped for not having lights while riding his bike at night, and take it as an example of myriad other tales of ruin that have come as a consequence of the war on drugs.

With this in mind, I will be exploring how the marijuana movement is representative of much more than just fighting cannabis prohibition.

This is the first part of a many part series investigating the many facets of this theme. Now, let us explore how the prosecution of cannabis users and producers has played a part in the lives of Americans. (more…)

Written by Christopher Meyer | 11:23 am on August 6, 2011

Despite Colorado’s precedent, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer wants to know if state employees may be exposed to prosecution for drug offenses by working to license medical marijuana.

Until she finds out, Arizona’s medical marijuana program is on hold. Meanwhile untaxed, unregulated collectives are being formed.

This has evoked a response from US Attorney Scott Risner who filed a motion asking the federal judge to dismiss the case saying, “Their complaint presents no actual controversy, instead asking this Court for an advisory opinion as to a hypothetical dispute in which Plaintiffs [State of Arizona] themselves pick no side but rather resort to a purported disagreement among various fictional Defendants [State Employees].” (more…)

Written by Christopher Meyer | 2:40 pm on July 28, 2011

You won’t hear about limits to how many barley plants a brewer may grow, or how many cocoa leaves a pharmaceutical company may possess to manufacture pain killers, yet Colorado’s newly enacted regulatory scheme not only requires that medical marijuana businesses limit the number of plants according to the number of patients that they serve, we must also connect specific plants to specific people.

Aggravating the situation is a graduated fee schedule the State of Colorado has created for medical marijuana center license. This means the more patients who declare a medical marijuana center as their primary provider, the more the medical marijuana center has to pay in licensing fees. (more…)

Written by Christopher Meyer | 1:36 pm on July 15, 2011

Opinions, like bad rumors, are extremely difficult to dispel once created.

Opinions about marijuana today were formed at a time when anti-drug propaganda included images of dumb, loser stoners who can’t remember their name and can’t go more than a few minutes without toking.

This along with the media attention marijuana receives lately has led to opinions being formed about dispensaries that have about as much truth as the stoner stereotype.

With the regulation of recreational marijuana on the Colorado ballot in 2012, to succeed the marijuana movement must break down these myths.

What follows are reasons that opponents of medical marijuana cite when they argue against dispensaries or marijuana legalization.

 
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Written by Christopher Meyer | 7:42 pm on July 7, 2011

Two years ago, the company I work for began with three partners and a modest investment in some of Colorado’s finest medicine.

They had no storefront so Denver Relief’s owners Adam, Ean and Kayvan, began a delivery business by placing an ad in the Westword and getting a unique phone number.

For many months, Denver Relief operated this way and built a loyal patient base through word of mouth about outstanding medicine and service.

This is where I came in. I was driving a taxi at the time and the transition into delivering medical marijuana was a welcome change from long hours in a cab. I know the city well and enjoyed meeting new people.

It’s strange to recall how insubstantial the business felt then, how little we knew about what we were getting into, but with the vital support of our patients we have made it this far.

Without patients who are willing to take the steps to visit their doctor and pay the fees to get legal not only would Denver Relief not exist, but medical marijuana in Colorado would not have the prominence it does today.

The number of medical marijuana patients in Colorado and around the country is an indication of just how many people support safe and legal access to this effective medicine.

With several ballot initiatives for legalization coming in 2012 it is imperative that as a community we do not let down the people who have supported us up to this point. (more…)