Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.


Monday, January 18, 2010

A right to do business in medical marijuana - The Denver Post

A right to do business in medical marijuana - The Denver Post

Editor's note: Colorado legislators soon will turn their attention to the debate over regulating medical marijuana, its caregivers and its dispensaries. But first, the haze has to clear concerning three questions The Denver Post put to two people from opposite sides of the issue.

1. Is the current medical marijuana model working?

This past year, Colorado has witnessed intense media coverage of the medical marijuana issue, with much of it focusing on the so-called "chaos" that has stemmed from the emergence of medical marijuana wellness centers or "dispensaries."

Yet what is so chaotic about licensed, tax-paying businesses providing this medicine to qualified individuals in accordance with the law adopted by voters? Just what is so scary about a cancer or AIDS patient having access to medical marijuana at a safe, community-based location? For that matter, what is so scary about someone simply suffering from debilitating back pain having such safe access, as well?

It falls within the scope of the law, their physician recommended it, and it is far safer and potentially more effective than using highly addictive and potentially deadly prescription pain-killers.

Dispensaries have emerged as a compassionate, community-based solution to fulfill the growing demand for medical marijuana. They serve as a centralized location which provides safe and legal access to this doctor-recommended medicine and function as a positive alternative to the illicit drug market. These facilities provide consistent access to quality medication from state-licensed caregivers who possess a keen understanding of marijuana's medical properties, dosage, and usage. Patients from across the state rely on these facilities due to the fact that medical-grade marijuana can often be difficult — if not impossible — for patients to obtain.

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