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“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 retired Army Sergeant Kevin Grimsinger, 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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Retired Army Sergeant Kevin Grimsinger delivering petition to CDPHE

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.

On Wednesday, May 5, the full Senate passed HB 1284 which is now likely to become statewide law.  Sensible Colorado opposed this bill and spent considerable time and resources fighting for important changes– many of which were ultimately adopted.

To help prepare patients for the ultimate impact of this legislation, Sensible Colorado will be hosting a series of free trainings explaining the new law (along with SB 109, the “Doctor/Patient Bill) starting the week of May 17.  Please watch for future alerts with event details.

Important Elements of HB 1284 (**again, this is not yet law, but will likely pass its final legislative hurdle on Thurs., 5/6.)

1.  Dispensaries and edible producers will have to apply for state licenses. After July 2011, these providers must follow new state regulations in order to continue operating.  Note there are also a number of other crucial deadlines starting in August 2010 which these providers must meet.

2. Local governments can ban dispensaries. This damaging provision will effect innumerable patients across the state.  However, Sensible’s legal team is already planning local campaigns and lawsuits to overturn bans.  Click here to support our work.

3.  Caregivers will be limited to helping five or less patients. Anyone helping six or more patients will have to register as a dispensary with the state– in a process yet to be determined.  Again, we plan to take prompt action to fight this restriction.

There are many other aspects of this bill which effect the rights of both patients and caregivers, and we will be sending additional updates on these changes.  A near-final draft of this bill should be available soon here.  (Search “HB 1284″ and look for the May 5 version).

**Make Your Voice Heard**

On Tuesday, April 27,  HB 1284– the bill to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries– will be heard in front of the Colorado Senate “Local Government” Committee.  While HB 1284 would firmly establish dispensaries in state law, it also contains some damaging provisions to safe patient access.

This may be your last chance to publicly comment on the bill.  Please attend this Hearing or contact the target Senators listed below as soon as possible.

What: Attend the Hearing to discuss HB 1284

When: Tuesday, April 27 at 2pm

Where: Old Supreme Court Chambers, 200 E. Colfax Avenue (State Capitol), Denver.

If you can’t attend, please send a personal message or paste the following message in an email to the target Senators (pasted below)

—————–**SAMPLE EMAIL**————————

Dear Senator,

While there are many positive provisions in HB 1284, I urge you to amend this bill to help protect Colorado’s vulnerable medical marijuana patients.  Please consider amending this bill to:

(1)  Prevent local governments from banning dispensaries. Patients need to be able to access medicine in their communities.

(2)  Establish Advisory Boards within both the Health Department and the Department of Revenue to help implement this law.  A diverse Panel of patients, law enforcement, medical professionals, and others can help safeguard both patients and communities

I hope you will strongly consider the needs of patients as you vote on this law. Respectfully, NAME

————–**END SAMPLE EMAIL**———————-

*Senate Local Government Committee Members*

Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), Chair
District 5 (Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale,
Mineral, Pitkin, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4871
E-mail: gail.schwartz.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Joyce Foster (D), Vice-Chair
District 35 (Arapahoe and Denver Counties)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4875
E-Mail: joyce.foster.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Bill Cadman (R)
District 10 (El Paso County)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-2737
E-mail: bill.cadman.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Mary Hodge (D)
District 25 (Adams County)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4855
E-Mail: mary.hodge.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Ken Kester (R)
District 2 (Baca, Bent, Crowley, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas,
Otero and Pueblo Counties)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4877
E-Mail: ken.kester.senate@state.co.us

Sen. Kevin Lundberg (R)
District 15 (Larimer County)
Office Location: 200 E. Colfax
Denver, CO 80203
Capitol Phone: (303)866-4853
E-Mail: kevin@kevinlundberg.com

Sen. Linda Newell (D)
District 26 (Arapahoe and Jefferson County)
Capitol Phone: 303-866-4846
E-mail: linda.newell.senate@gmail.com

COPY AND PASTE EMAILS:
gail.schwartz.senate@state.co.us,
joyce.foster.senate@state.co.us,
bill.cadman.senate@state.co.us,
mary.hodge.senate@state.co.us,
ken.kester.senate@state.co.us,
kevin@kevinlundberg.com,
linda.newell.senate@gmail.com

**Current Schedule I classification prevents research and development of cannabinoid based therapies**

A recent editorial published by the New England Journal of Medicine argues that the Schedule I classification of marijuana prevents the much needed research and development of cannabinoid based medicines.  And, that such research would also provide some clarity to lawmakers in the 14 states that have passed medical marijuana laws.  Unfortunately, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Office of National Drug Control Policy continue to block all attempts at rescheduling marijuana.

In a follow-up article by ABC News, Sensible Colorado’s volunteer patient outreach coordinator, Dan Pope, was quite clear about the need to reclassify marijuana and make it more available for research purposes. “I certainly think the current Schedule I classification is ridiculous,” Pope said. “I have muscular dystrophy and by using medical marijuana…I can find immediate relief from my muscle spasms.”  A spokesperson for DEA declined to speak to ABC News about this story.

After extensive lobbying efforts by Sensible Colorado, the state House has rejected an amendment to SB-109 that would have required adults aged 18 to 23 to obtain an additional doctor’s recommendation when applying for a medical marijuana permit. The bill now heads back to a conference committee.