STATE BILL COLORADO
Here’s how Colorado news organizations covered Wednesday’s introduction of a medical-marijuana bill sponsored by Sens. Chris Romer and Nancy Spence.
The Colorado Independent: State Sens. Chris Romer, D-Denver, and Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, introduced legislation that more strictly regulate the medical marijuana industry. The controversial bill includes language that, among other things, would strictly circumscribe doctor-patient relationships and payment, require patient records be set aside for state review and set up a seven-member panel to review prescriptions written to anyone under 21. Marijuana rights advocates have already taken a strong stance against the proposed regulations and are urging supporters to call on state lawmakers to vote against the bill.
The Denver Daily News: Medical marijuana activists believe Romer’s bill will drive up the cost of medical marijuana for patients. The Cannabis Therapy Institute believes the bill will raise the annual cost for medical marijuana patients from approximately $190 to anywhere from $540-1,090. The lobbying group cites the cost of a full physical exam and follow up visit — which they believe together would run more than $450 — for the cost increase.
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation is worried about a pair of recently introduced bills and working with their sponsors to try to find what the group considers some middle ground.
