Colorado's rules uneven for medical-marijuana use while on probation - The Denver Post

Colorado's rules uneven for medical-marijuana use while on probation - The Denver Post

In four of Colorado's 22 judicial districts, people on probation can smoke pot if they have a medical-marijuana card. In six districts, no marijuana is allowed for probationers.

And in the other 12? Judges decide on a case-by-case basis who is sick enough to smoke.

"It's a Mickey Mouse operation. There's no definitions. It's just not done right," said Sandy Chrisman, whose son contends he needs medical marijuana to prevent his grand mal seizures.

Chrisman said she wants one statewide policy for probationers. Legislation for a uniform law is pending.

Chrisman's son, Matt Dedrick, has been diagnosed with seizures and has approval from a neurologist to use medical marijuana. He says he was suffering at least

two seizures a month until he tried smoking marijuana and his seizures stopped.

Because Dedrick is on probation for driving while ability impaired in the 1st Judicial District, which covers Jefferson and Gilpin counties, a judge ruled he is not allowed to smoke marijuana. If he had been sentenced in the 3rd District, which covers Huerfano and Las Animas counties, a judge would allow him to light up.

If he lived in the 2nd Judicial District, which covers Denver, a judge might have ruled in his favor that he could use pot while serving his sentence. Or, the judge might not.

"I'm probably going to be back to having seizures, and the side effects of my medications are going to hit harder," Dedrick said.

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