Showing posts with label Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado’s Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division. Show all posts

April 4, 2012

SandBoxBlogs: Colorado Springs Gazette "Pot regulators slashed in state"

Kristen Wyatt:
"DENVER — Colorado is cutting its medical marijuana enforcement staff by more than half because the state isn't collecting enough licensing fees to pay for them.

The Department of Revenue said Tuesday that 20 of 37 staffers at its Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division will be reassigned to other jobs within the department. The division licenses and regulates medical marijuana businesses such as dispensaries and marijuana growers.

Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/slashed-136200-state-denver.html#ixzz1r5fax9iF

"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."

November 1, 2011

SandBox Comments: KKCO 11 News "Hartman reassigned, following controversial memo "

SandBox sends out a thank you to Mesa County Sheriff Stan Hilkey for turning over the inappropriate and unethical letter (copy can be read here) written by now former Director of the Colorado Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, David Hartman.

The folks have a lot to bear when it comes to the way our federal, state and local governments handle  'all things marijuana'.

It's not the medical marijuana businesses or the patients that carry the weight of all the problems in the medical marijuana industry.

It's the taxpayers.

To have someone in a position of trust, like Hartman, attempt to manipulate the voting process and add to that taxpayer burden was a huge disappointment.

Thanks to Sheriff Stan, David Hartman can now move on to another line of work.

(Learn where David Hartman went?  Click title.  Comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."

October 29, 2011

SandBox Comments: KKCO News 11 "Colo. Attorney General reviews controversial dispensary letter "

"DENVER, Colo. (AP) - Attorney General John Suthers found the letter by Dan Hartman, director of the State Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division, didn't violate a ban on public officials' using public resources to take sides in elections, Suthers spokesman Mike Saccone said Friday.

But Suthers did determine the letter was "unethical," Saccone said...."

(Learn more?  Click title and comment to start discussion)

October 8, 2011

SandBox Comments: Grand Junction Daily Sentinel/Dennis Webb "Carbondale medical pot shop closed; owner held"

What a shame this had to happen now, just when locals are finally making some headway with local governments to take a second look at the viability of medical marijuana in our communities.

Now, the likelihood of 'spin-doctor' elected officials and journalists attempting to discredit the validity of those locals, will be able to point toward David Edgar and just chalk up the problems to a 'bad apple'.

Reality, is that medical marijuana is illegal on federal levels. The Feds can, will and are showing strong signs that they've warned enough already; shut down any marijuana use or enterprise.

On state and federal levels there is no banking ability, no ability to own or purchase a firearm if you are on file as a user of the drug. 

There is no ability to conduct business in the community with leases, credit card processing or obtaining insurances and loans. 

There is no ability, when the technical interpretation of Colorado law is upheld, to even operate a dispensary. 

Put all these things together with the 'bad apples' that sell without a buyer having an MMJ card.  Or worse, go to the lengths David Edgar has.  And we haven't even touched the moral differences of opinion, the politics or community impacts.

What a shame this bust happening now is.  SandBox hopes that local activists in Glenwood Springs and RE-1 don't get discouraged or allow certain elected officials who advocate MMJ to sway you off your path.

Maybe the entire situation will get 'lucky' and the Feds will finally shut down, rather than bust, a few local shops and grow operations that are simply trying to operate within state law.

We would agree with the Feds that enough warning has taken place.

(Learn more?  Click title and comment to start discussion)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."