Week of April 19:
In addition to several other bills, this week the House considered two big measures – medical marijuana and payday lending.

The subject of payday lending will be discussed at my next town hall meeting at 7 p.m., Monday, April 26, at Koelbel Library. HB 10-1351 seeks to further regulate these businesses and will have the further effect of closing these businesses as a result. I hope you’ll join me for my next town hall meeting.

My last town hall meeting focused on medical marijuana. This week, the House debated HB 10-1284, which will regulate the dispensaries, create safeguards to receive a license to possess medical marijuana, impose fees for licensing, place age restrictions on those who can obtain a license and allow more room for local control.

Voters in 2000 passed Amendment 20 authorizing the medical use of marijuana by persons diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions. Until 2006, there were few licenses allowing for the possession of marijuana. However, since 2007, more 20,000 individuals throughout the state have applied for such licenses. Clearly, the state is forced to respond.

There are competing views on the matter. The attorney general and law enforcement agencies would like the dispensaries prohibited. The dispensary groups are asking for increased regulation, but a great deal of latitude in terms of how many plants they may possess and access to an unlimited number of patients.

The two measures making their way through the legislature will bring greater regulation to this burgeoning industry. I would encourage you to stay tuned as the legislative session comes to a close.