Thank you for bringing this issue to light. The Montana legislature and its citizens are currently struggling over our “medical marijuana” law. I put that it quotes because the truth is, that while the good hearted voters of Montana voted in this law so that people who were severely suffering would have some pain relief, we had no idea that we were really voting to legalize marijuana without any real regulation. We did not have any idea that bus tours would go through our towns with pro-marijuana legalization Doctors handing out “green cards” to anyone with $50.00.
Chief Kirkland is absolutely right. If you put residences full of drugs and money all around your neighborhoods with a sign in the window that states exactly that, then only an abosolute idiot could not see that there is going to be crime.
We currently have facilities with high security, and we have facilities with small children and no security whatsoever. This is an antiregulation crime against our citizens. To tell people they can be “caregivers” (our states current b.s. term for drug dealers) for just a $25.00 license fee is baiting poor people and drug users to become drug dealers.

In Montana it is illegal to bait an animal, but not a struggling family with small children.

We currently have legislation being considered that will either regulate it much more closely, or repeal it all together. One of these is likely to pass, but not necessarily be signed by our Governor.

I personally believe it should be legalized, closely regulated, heavily taxed, and distibuted just like alcohol. This is the only way I can see to “win” the war on marijuana for both sides. Marijuana users do not have to be criminals, and criminals will move on to things they really should be arrested for.
I know it is not that uncomplicated but I challenge anyone to come up with a better solution to a problem that is not going to go away and we have already proved cannot be won by making it criminal.

Sincerely,
JW

Saying the dispensaries bring crime is like saying Subway Shops bring crime.

In the last year, Subway Sandwich shops have been robbed, some of them more than once.

Furthermore, as the DA, it is your sworn duty to protect the Colorado Constitution.

Although you personally may not agree with Article XVIII section 14, it is our Constitution.

For every legally registered MMJ patient and every legally grown MMJ plant, we take one more drug dealer off the street.

American ingenuity and free market should be allowed to thrive.

Together we can provide safe, affordable and legal access to MMJ for our legally registered patients.

But to paint our patients and our dispensaries with such a simple and broad brush as “dispensary model brings crime” only shows a lack of concern for our Constitutional rights and our patients.

The average age of my patients is 51 years old.

They are NOT criminals. They are Americans. They are Coloradans. They are adults, many of them war veterans, and have the RIGHT to MMJ from legally registered MMJ dispensaries.

Dan May, let’s work together. Let’s not try to use fear and outdated stereotypes.

Best regards,

KC