Legal Cannabis Therapy Guide for Assisted Living

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Policies, Procedures and Protocols for
Legal Cannabis Therapy
in Assisted Living, Nursing Home & other
Institutional Facilities throughout Colorado
By Timothy Tipton© 2010; 2014

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FORWARD
It is becoming increasingly important that all medical professionals become educated and develop an
understanding of legal cannabis therapy opportunities, as part of a natural, Compassionate Care based
patient centric focus toward healing. The mission of this document is clear, as when it was originally
developed and published in 2010, this updated version, educates in a manner which is proven, straight
forward, and will be available to you for effective use as a supplement during your advancing career.
Health care professionals in the new Millennium face extreme challenges associated with providing a
exponentially greater level of care, in the Age of the cuts from “Obama-Care”. Faced with the reality of
historically exponentially declining budgets in the coming years, it will be increasingly important to
become educated about the growing list of naturopathic options. There can be no price tag on the use of a
naturopathic patient-centric focus, and your ability, through your evolving effective use of this resource
document.
For almost a decade, protocols have been developed by healing clinicians in the field, so this provided
effort is geared, tweaked, and updated to provide you with an expanded tool repertoire and, more
importantly, your patients with the most enhanced „quality of life‟ efforts for patients, „across the board‟,
whether they are residing within multi-level care assisted living, hospice, and nursing home facilities, or
as one of the many thousands of new patients, in our state, who are currently,(or, in the near future,
themselves or a loved one, possibly even a Veteran, facing homebound care circumstances.
The directed purpose of this compendium resource is provide the reader with clear and easily understood
tools for patient advocacy, evolving to assure an improvement of „Quality of Care‟ and „Quality of Life‟
for your patients, across the board. We are hear to help health care professionals with solid quick
educational understanding of additional, more holistic-based, options. You can eventually evolve
through educational empowerment, to overcome, oftentimes incorrect, pre-conceived prohibitionist
notions for a „clear path‟ manner to identify a newly emerging wide multitude of legal cannabis therapy
opportunities. Understand, these are all known to be safe, effective, and, in some hospice circumstances,
should not be „deemed‟ a necessary evil, but naturopathic tools, to be allowed and promoted, at your
facility. It is naturally effective, to want to dialogue further with your colleagues and other medical
professionals, so having the foundation of this education, will definitely allow you to keep an edge on the
learning curve.
Although marijuana is still known to be illegal federally, there seems to be considerable shift in
government focus away from prosecution and towards the enhancement of legitimate scientific research.
The 2007 United States Supreme Court Ruling U.S. vs. Lopez goes far to explain how no entity should be
„hiding‟ their policies under the guise of continuing prohibition. With over ____states having some form
of legal cannabis therapy, and numerous others researching possible positive legislation, a growing
number of patients will naturally be having more questions for you, and, with the healing powers of the
cannabis plant, it is assured this medical topic will be in the news for many years to come.
The alternative medical landscape is rapidly changing. This fact is especially true, as the large new
cannabis industry players, with deep pockets of investment monies, are lining up to „pre-sell‟ those in the
remaining non-legal medical cannabis states, on the “One Stop Shopping” option of new business
development, and, obviously hoping to get the “jump” on the newly evolving cannabis marketplace,
which is said to be, by all estimates, easily, in the Billions, and, in no time at all.

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In early fall of this year, 2014, the city of Denver is proud to hold host the Marijuana for Medical
Professionals Conference, located at the historic Sherman Street Events Center, where there will be a
convergence of the worldwide renowned „Brightest & Best‟ of the cannabis medical professionals within
our now burgeoning legal medical cannabis therapy movement.
With Larry Wolk, M.D., Executive Director & Chief Medical Officer, Colorado Department of Health
and Environment, with be providing opening remarks for this historic event, which will also include a
slated keynote speaker- the most famous of cannabis research scientist, Raphael Mechoulam, Phd,
professor Hebrew University , Israel. Since there will be over twenty-nine other Medical Faculty and
speakers, Colorado‟s First CME Certified Conference on Cannabis Medicine, will be well attended, and a
dvd of the event, will be a welcomed edition to any medical professionals‟ resource collection.
Gone are the days of Tommy Chong‟s “Up in Smoke” marijuana smoking, replaced with modern
medical philosophy‟s which incorporate an inherently healthier methodology such as vaporization, while
also engaging the individual patient in a wide range of opportunities for varied methods of transmission,
including but not limited to edibles.
This offering is best described as a compendium of work from professionals across the globe, including
nurses, doctors, lawyers, scientists, and others who have worked tirelessly towards the development of
this resource. We thank them all. These times call for health care professionals to embrace a more
compassionate holistic approach of complimentary therapies which lay a solid foundation for effective
legal cannabis therapy in the Rocky Mountain State. Your patients enhanced quality of life is the „Win‟.
At best, this legal cannabis therapy goes far to keep patients minimizing their use of „life robbing‟
synthetic prescription and narcotic drugs. Although it is a considerably more complex evolution to a
homeopathic way, the concept of further minimizing pill intake „across the board‟ in patients is a
challenge which can garner big dividends for both patients and staff. “Especially for patients with…a
compromised appetite, with nausea and vomiting, with pain and, hey, you know, a little bit of euphoria is
not bad if you're dying,” said Dr. Donald Abrhams, M.D., a speaker at the upcoming event, which will be
dialoguing about the benefits of effective legal cannabis therapy.
According to Doctor Lester Grinspoon, a keynote speaker at the aforementioned conference, emeritus
professor, Harvard Medical School has long stated, "Marijuana is effective at relieving nausea and
vomiting, spasticity, appetite loss, certain types of pain, and other debilitating symptoms. And it is
extraordinarily safe, safer than most medicines prescribed every day. If marijuana were a new discovery
rather than a well known substance carrying cultural and political baggage, it would be hailed as a
wonder drug."
We hope you thoroughly embrace and enjoy this non-conventional education journey, but we believe that
you‟ll soon be feeling as empowered as Rick Simpson, directing patients and professionals, alike to
“Run from the Cure” free high definition documentary movie, that has educated millions on the healing
benefits of the cannabis plant, and other educational resources, as well as the cannabis (THC) oil called
“Phoenix Tears” (see also-- http://www.phoenixtearsfoundation.com).

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THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO YOU BY THE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CAREGIVERS COOPERATIVE
commjexpert@gmail.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
FORWARD 2
COVER SHEET ~~ ROCKY MOUNTAIN CAREGIVERS COOPERATIVE 3
“Evolution Montage”
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
MEDS PROGRAM:
MARIJUANA EDUCATION & DISPENSARY SAFETY
( A layman’s educational resource about legal cannabis therapy in Colorado.) 5
Marijuana Risks
Side Effects 16
Why use Marijuana 18
List of Chemicals in Marijuana 19
The Cannabinoid System 22
Dr. Robert J. Melamede Ph.D. Chairman of the Biology Department of the University of
Colorado:Conducting Scientific research on Cannabinoids
GUIDE FOR COLORADO PHYSICIANS
Determining THC & Plant Number Recommendations: 28
Legal Resources:COLORADO CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 18 SECTION 14 -LEGAL CANNABIS THERAPY 31
Establishing Significant Responsibility for Our Patients 37
Cachexia 38
Cancer 40
Glaucoma 48
HIV 49
Muscle Spasms 52
Seizure Disorder 54
Severe Nausea/Vomiting 56
Severe Chronic Pain 58
Cannabis Therapy as Analgesia 59
SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES: THC/Glioma Cancer Tumor chart 62
Cannabinoid Chart 63
How Black Pepper Relieves Cannabis Anxiety By Owen Smith 64
HUMAN BODY Cannabinoid Chart 67
HUMAN BODY Transdermal Patch Chart 68

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Marijuana Education
&
Dispensary Safety
Designed as an in-depth guide to medical marijuana in Colorado,
this presentation examines legal, safety, Scientific, personal, and
societal consequences of the Nutraceutical‘s use as medicine with
an intended audience comprised of both the law enforcement and
patient communities.

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I. About This Booklet:
Purpose of This Booklet:
In the year 2000, Colorado voters passed Amendment 20 to become Article 18 Section 14, which allows
patient‘s with specific debilitating medical conditions to use marijuana with their physician‘s approval. Now
over a decade later, Colorado has seen a significant increase in both licensed medical marijuana patient‘s as
well as dispensaries, cooperatives, and caregiver partnerships. Given the extremely volatile atmosphere
concerning the medical legitimacy of marijuana in addition to rising patient numbers, it is inevitable that a
patient, caregiver, or dispensary will have contact with the law enforcement community. Indeed, this has
already been the case in both Larimer and Denver Counties.
The purpose of this booklet is four-fold:
1. To educate the law enforcement and other community professionals about the legality of medical marijuana
in Colorado.
2. To offer proper safety guidelines for the protection of both the patient and the community as dispensaries and
cooperatives develop.
3. Give a brief background in science, focusing on harmful side effects, medical validity, and proper usage
guidelines.
4. To open a line of friendly communication between representatives of both the medical marijuana and law
enforcement communities.
Disclaimer:
The contents of this booklet have been collected from peer-reviewed publications,
interviews with doctors, researchers, medical marijuana patients, dispensary owners, and
attorneys. None of the authors make claim to practice these activities themselves, nor
maintain relationships with individuals whom do so. The licensed medical marijuana
patients whom come before you today do so out of respect to law enforcement. They
desire nothing more than to share their stories of pain, and how using marijuana has
affected their lives. In giving a fair perspective on this topic, we also include a section on
the opposing arguments to the validity of claims made by these patients.
Contacts:
For more information on a particular topic, the following professionals can be
contacted at:
Medical/ Scientific Questions: Robert Melamede, PHD, Rmelamed@uccs.edu
Dr. Janet Sweeney Phoenix Tears Foundation kennedygo@aol.com 303-719-8658
Timothy Tipton, court-certified expert~cannabis, medical marijuana commjexpert@gmail.com 303-408-2935
Legal Questions: Attorney Warren Edson, warrenedson@warrenedson.com 303-831-8188
Attorney Brian Vicente, message to:
http://cannabusinessschoolandconsulting.com/sponsors-partners-endoursments/vicente-sederberg-llc/
Matthew Schnur, Researcher, triplehelix28@yahoo.com 719-439-0817

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II. Introduction to Article 18 Section 14:
For the last decade Article 18 Section 14 (Amendment 20) has allowed Colorado residents with
severe debilitating medical conditions to use marijuana under the supervision of their
doctors. Specifically, debilitating conditions are defined as:
* AIDS/HIV * Cancer * Cachexia (Severe Body Wasting)
* Severe Pain * Severe Nausea * Seizure Disorders
* Muscle Spasms * Multiple Sclerosis * Epilepsy
* Additional conditions may qualify
The chart below is a complete breakdown of conditions for which medical
marijuana recommendations have been written: Table II: Conditions
Reported Condition Number of Patients Reporting
Condition
Percent of Patients
Reporting Condition**
Cachexia 1,085 1%
Cancer 3,648 3%
Glaucoma 1,234 1%
HIV/AIDS 686 1%
Muscle Spasms 16,928 15%
Seizures 2,497 2%
Severe Pain 108,157 93%
Severe Nausea 11,267 10%
**Does not add to 100% as some patients report using medical marijuana for more than one debilitating
medical condition.
Source: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/CHED_MMJ_08_2014_%20MMR_report.pdf
Statistics as of August 31, 2014
Epidemiology : Statistics of the registry include:
99,559 new patient applications have been received to date since the registry began operating in June
2001. One three hundred (300) applications have been denied, 68 cards have been revoked, 513 patients
have died, and 3,201 cards have expired, bringing the total number of patients who currently possess
valid Registry ID cards to 95,477.
Seventy-one percent of approved applicants are male.
The average age of all patients is 40. Currently twenty-four patients are minors (under the age of 18).
Fifty-eight percent of patients reside in the Denver-metro and area (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder,
Broomfield, Denver, Douglas & Jefferson counties), with the remainder of patients found in counties
throughout Colorado.
Patients on the Registry represent all the debilitating conditions covered under Amendment 20. Severe
pain accounts for 94% of all reported conditions; muscle spasms account for the second-most reported
condition at 24%. Note that percentages do not add up to 100 percent because some patients have more
than one condition.
Sixty-six percent of patients have designated a primary care-giver (someone who has significant
responsibility for managing the care of a patient with a debilitation medical condition).
More than 1,100 different physicians have signed for patients in Colorado.

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Important Considerations for Patients and Law Enforcement:
1. It is the responsibility of law enforcement to protect any property confiscated during an investigation into a
licensed medical marijuana patient. Amendment 20 Section 2(e) States:
―Any property interest that is possessed, owned, or used in connection with the medical use of marijuana or acts
incidental to such use, shall not be harmed, neglected, injured, or destroyed while in the possession of state or
local law enforcement officials where such property has been seized in connection with the claimed medical use
of marijuana. Any such property interest shall not be forfeited under any provision of state law providing for
the forfeiture of property other than as a sentence imposed after conviction of a criminal offense or entry of a
plea of guilty to such offense. Marijuana and paraphernalia seized by state or local law enforcement officials
from a patient or primary care-giver in connection with the claimed medical use of marijuana shall be
returned immediately upon the determination of the district attorney or his or her designee that the patient or
primary care-giver is entitled to the protection contained in this section as may be evidenced, for example, by a
decision not to prosecute, the dismissal of charges, or acquittal.”
2. A patient is allowed to have 6 plants with 3 in flowering and 3 in vegetative growth. However, a patient may
possess more than this quantity if it is in the opinion of their doctor that more is needed.
“(4) (a) A patient may engage in the medical use of marijuana, with no more marijuana than is medically
necessary to address a debilitating medical condition. A patient's medical use of marijuana, within the
following limits, is lawful:
(I) No more than two ounces of a usable form of marijuana; and
(II) No more than six marijuana plants, with three or fewer being mature, flowering plants that are producing a
usable form of marijuana.
(b) For quantities of marijuana in excess of these amounts, a patient or his or her primary care-giver may raise
as an affirmative defense to charges of violation of state law that such greater amounts were medically
necessary to address the patient's debilitating medical condition.
3. A licensed patient may not use marijuana in public, which includes in the vehicle. These important points are
only a small section of Amendment 20. Both patients and law enforcement are strongly encouraged to read over
Amendment 20 to ensure complete legal compliance.
How to Become a Patient:
1. The patient meets with their physician.
2. The physician fills out the Colorado Department of Health and Environment
(CDPHE) medical marijuana registry form:
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hs/medicalmarijuana/medicalmarijuanaforms.html
3. The patient sends the forms to the CDPHE with a $90 application fee.
4. The CDPHE verifies the information is correct on the form by calling the
patient‘s doctor.

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5. The patient receives a card like this or a refusal letter within 35 days of the CDPHE receiving the application.
A Special Note on Fraudulent Cards: Colorado medical marijuana cards are made by the American Bank Note Company and contain
nearly all anti-fraud features that a check possesses‘; watermarks, serial numbers, etc.
What an Officer Should do When Confronting a Patient:
1. Medical marijuana users are by legal definition debilitated with a chronic disease. Thus, to ensure safety begin by
asking if they are potentially in any immediate medical emergency for which an ambulance might need to be contacted.
2. Once safety is established, ask for the patient‘s medical marijuana license if they have yet to give it to you.
3. Call Debra Tuenge at the CDPHE at (303)-692-2173 to verify the information on the card.
4. Properly package any paraphernalia, equipment, or evidence such that if it is returned to the patient/suspect the police
department will not be liable for property damages.
5. An officer can only call the CDPHE to verify if a suspect is a patient. They may not inquire as to why or for what
conditions the patient is being treated with marijuana.
―Section 14, paragraph 3 (a) permits authorized employees of state or local law enforcement agencies who have stopped
or arrested a person who claims to be engaged in the medical use of marijuana and in possession of a registry
identification card or its functional equivalent to access information in the confidential registry. This access is
only for the purpose of verifying that an individual who has presented a registry identification card to a state or local law
enforcement official is lawfully in possession of such a card.‖
Dispensaries, Caregivers, and Cooperatives:
Colorado‘s Article 18 Section 14 allows patients to designate a ―caregiver‖, or individual who has an active role
in the patient‘s health to grow marijuana for them. More than half of all registered patients choose to assign a
caregiver for their medical marijuana needs. After dozens of interviews with licensed patients and caregivers,
we find the following reasons that patients choose not to grow marijuana for themselves:
1. Cost of a complete grow room:
A complete growing operation requires at minimum two separate rooms where one will be used for vegetative
growth and the second for flowering. Taking into account the pricing of high intensity lighting, climate and
humidity controls, nutrients, bulbs, pumps, and numerous other equipment, the costs can range from as little as
$2000 upwards to over $15,000 for a higher quality medicine.
2. Maintenance of a grow room:
To be eligible as a legal medical marijuana patient, the individual must suffer from a debilitating condition or
disease. As such, many patients report making the choice to assign a caregiver out of the observation that
growing quality medicine requires daily maintenance. Nutrients must be calculated exactly, weekly pruning and
adjustments to nutrient quantities, light cycles changed weekly, carbon dioxide regulation, and much more
than could be explained in this discussion.
3. Fear of harm to self or family:
By far the most reported reason for choosing not grow for themselves is the patient‘s fear of harm coming to
them or their loved ones. Two patients interviewed whom wish to remain anonymous were doused in

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gasoline while a group of men held lit matches, threatening to set them on fire if the victims did not forfeit their
medical marijuana over. Eventually, it was discovered the criminals in this situation were the patient‘s
neighbors, whom smelled the marijuana coming from the next door house.
Interestingly however, the largest fear by patients is not from criminals but rather from law enforcement.
Numerous interviews uncovered fears of patients losing their family pets or children during police encounters,
whether in custody battles or over accidental shots being fired. A custody case is currently underway in
Arapahoe County where a mother may lose her children; not from neglect or child endangerment, but because
she is a medical marijuana patient and the court feels the mother may not be responsible enough to raise her
children
It would appear at first glance that patient‘s choose to utilize a caregiver strictly out of negative consequence;
because it protects them and their loved ones. There are however, more positive reasons by which patients
decide to utilize a caregiver. A caregiver may grow for multiple patients, which drastically reduces the cost of
production. When a caregiver grows for numerous patients, a greater amount of variety of marijuana strains
may be grown, which gives each patient the ability to discover which variety works best for their medical needs.
As legal patient numbers increased across the state, medical marijuana dispensaries and cooperatives began
developing. As of 2008, the authors of this booklet were able to identify eight dispensaries and one cooperative.
The definitions of ―dispensary‖ and ―cooperative‖ are somewhat arbitrary; however the members of these
caregiver groups value the differences highly. In a marijuana cooperative each member contributes to the
whole, including the customers. A dispensary utilizes a small group of its members to provide its products and
services to its clients. Whether one business model holds more legitimacy and quality of care to its members
over the other still remains to be seen.
There are numerous advantages to both dispensaries and cooperatives, which include:
1. Having an actual business storefront creates a safe environment for patients.
It creates a proper business with licensing and establishes the patient group in the community. Patients often
report having to purchase medicine from street drug dealers. One 88 year old woman was raped in Acacia Park,
Colorado Springs, while attempting to obtain medicine from an area notorious for illegal
drug activities.
2. Police know where the location is at. Having a single location where patients meet allows for increased focus
on patient and community safety. It can be interpreted as a statement by the dispensary/cooperative that they
wish to remain law abiding, not making secret deals in alleys or random houses.
3. A wider variety of services and choices in medicines. Not only are patients seeing a wider selection of
marijuana strains to alleviate their symptoms, but now able to treat their conditions with alternative therapies.
Dispensaries are offering medicated foods, lotions, balms, tinctures, gums, and drinks.
Additional services being offered are yoga, massage therapy, legal seminars with attorneys, support groups, and
monthly group events. A holistic approach to disease management, where the focus is not only on medication,
but diet and exercise changes that can potentially heal, is being offered to patients whom may never have had
these opportunities if never designating a caregiver.
4. Greater numbers of patients communicating what works and what doesn‘t for their disease allows for
statistical data analysis. Such analysis allows scientists to identify trends between routes of marijuana
administration (eating, smoking, vaporizing, etc), strains of marijuana (over 2000 types),
chemical composition (over 78 cannabinoids), and how each of these variables compare to one another in
treating a disease. Isaac Newton once said ―If I have seen further it is because I have stood on the shoulders of
giants‖. By communicating successes and failures in patient‘s marijuana therapies, dispensaries have been
enabled to identify a greater therapeutic potential in the new patient‘s optimal treatment plan. To learn more
about these findings, please visit the Genovations Laboratories website (cannabistherapeutics.net).

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5. Availability of medicine is always assured. Even the best medical cannabis growers have had problems with
pests, low yields, to high of yields to maintain legality, equipment failure, or some other unforeseeable problem
which might limit their ability to keep a constant supply of medicine. A dispensary eliminates the reliance on a
single garden or single crop.
Spider mites are a common pest affecting marijuana
s
Plantsin Colorado. They can destroy an entire crop in less than 3weeks if left untreated. With a short life cycle (~3-5 days),
one treatment with pyrethrum, the most common pesticide used for mites, only destroys those mites which are alive. It
does not kill their eggs. Thus pyrethrum treatments must be continuous for multiple applications. Other more effective
chemicals exist but must never be used during the last weeks of flowering. Dispensary research has found certain plant
essential oils (lemongrass, wintergreen, thyme) along with chemicals naturally occurring in marijuana called
terpenoids, can provide a safe, organic pest treatment. Aphids like mites are among the most common pests of
Colorado marijuana. Any type of pest can carry infectiousagents on them and are thus potentially dangerous to an
individual already in a compromised state of health.Tedious daily examination of leaves, stems, and soil ensures
that if a pest contamination occurs, it is treated immediately before the problem becomes unmanageable by organic
methods.
In recent years Colorado has seen a large increase in patients deciding to have their medicine provided by
dispensaries. These dispensaries have been in tight competition with each other with a beneficial consequence
of lower prices on services, a wider variety of alternative services, and an overall increase in the quality of
compassion by which they serve their patient base.
Quality of care has risen to the level of non-profit biomedical research Genovations laboratory is a Colorado
based medical marijuana research lab. While ensuring legality by not endorsing medical use or distributing
marijuana, Genovations scientists observe the effects of marijuana use on medical patients. With the use of
questionnaires and diagnostic testing Genovations is on its way to becoming a worldwide leader in marijuana
based clinical data. Genovations is currently working with the National Institutes of Health on federal approval
for a clinical study involving the evaluation of genetic and proteomic changes in diabetics whom use medical
marijuana. In summary, collective organization of patients is beneficial to both the police and
patient communities by ensuring safety, both in a legal and medical setting.
Proper Safety Guidelines for Dispensaries:
Colorado‘s Article 18 Section 14 gives no legal guidelines to caregivers or dispensary owners. While each
county in California has adopted their own codes of conduct for dispensaries, Colorado is left wide open with
no regulation. Regulation is essential in a medical setting, especially when the primary medicine being
dispensed is one of the most widely abused recreational drugs in the world.
In this section the authors discuss proper operational guidelines for dispensaries. As the medical marijuana
community grows larger, confrontations with law enforcement, the media, and the general community at large
are inevitable. Prior to such circumstances, opening dialogue between law enforcement and dispensaries is
essential to promoting a peaceful transition in the legal community as dispensaries become a societal norm.
The following list is a suggested code of regulation for dispensaries to ensure safety and legal compliance,
while maintaining the highest standard of care for their patients:

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1. No dispensary will be allowed to open within 1000 feet of a school or within the same business park that is
associated with high volumes of children passing through. This may include candy stores, toy shops, parks, or
other related areas.
2. All dispensaries must pay local, state, and city taxes. This provides certain protections as a business while
establishes a difference between the illegal street drug dealer and a medical service provider. This also includes
writing receipts for all transactions.
3. All dispensaries must have licensed staff present during hours of operation. No vending machines, drive up
windows, or unsupervised transactions take place.
4. A dispensary will only service as many patients as the employees may personally take care of. Amendment
20 clearly states that a caregiver is an individual who takes a direct role in the healthcare of the patient. A
dispensary is not a Wal-Mart. A caregiver must know each patient by face, their conditions or diseases, and
regularly communicate to identify if their treatment is working to the patient‘s needs.
5. No medicine will be sold or purchased from outside sources, especially from non-licensed individuals. As
this is medical marijuana, it is being used by sick patients. Marijuana from the streets may be contaminated,
unflushed*, laced, or mislabeled. Proper medical treatment needs consistency. Medicine being grown
from the same sources by the same techniques, with known genetics increases the success rate of maintaining
consistency.
6. Every dispensary will have contact information readily available for their clients regarding local drug abuse
treatment centers, as well as educational materials on substance abuse harms. This is not limited to marijuana,
but also includes opiates and alcohol. If the owner of a dispensary suspects one of their patients has a problem,
they are expected to discuss it with that patient. Dispensary owners are strongly encouraged to meet with a drug
abuse counselor on a regular basis for advice/training on handling drug abuse situations. Additional training on
drug abuse can also be found at most community colleges in the health sciences or nursing departments.
7. Dispensaries must offer additional forms of medicine besides its raw smoking form. This can include, but is
not limited to; vaporizers, hash oils, drinks, lotions, balms, foods, sublingual drops, teas, or other routes of
administration.
In addition, there should be ample variety of smokeable medicine. Statistical analysis shows a 73% general
medical market preference for indica strains over sativa‘s, however, several disease categories (hypertension,
neuropathic) show mixed preferences for both indicia and sativa. Dispensaries should utilize questionnaires to
identify what general trends in patient preferences and focus their products on what best suits the patient‘s
medical needs, not recreational needs.
8. Dispensaries should limit monthly patient purchases. Questionnaires distributed for 1 year to all patients at a
dispensary in Colorado demonstrate that 93% of licensed patients can successfully alleviate their condition for
which they are using marijuana with 4 ounces or less each month. When there are certain patient‘s who
legitimately need more, they will be required to obtain a note from their doctor, or sign a consent form for the
dispensary owner to speak to the patient‘s doctor for consent. This rule is essential to ensuring that medical
marijuana is not being resold on the street, nor is the patient abusing the drug. Products that have no
psychoactivity (lotions, THC-free products) have no limit.
9. Dispensaries should maintain typical business hours comparable to stores in its immediate vicinity.
Dispensaries should not be open after dark and not make exceptions to the hours by letting patients come to the
store when it is closed. If a patient is having a medical emergency and needs medicine, the dispensary
owner may deliver the medicine to the patient before/after normal hours of operation.
10. Prior to opening, the potential dispensary owner should contact the local county sheriff‘s office and make
known their intentions. This should demonstrate the owner‘s intentions in maintaining legal compliance and a
hopeful ongoing relationship between the two communities.
11. Employees of dispensaries should regularly maintain communication with neighbors. Owners should ask
neighbors about smell, noise, loitering, or any other potential concerns. Additionally, dispensaries should keep
theirs and their neighbor‘s business areas clean.

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12. Patients should have access to educational resources about the potential harms as well as potential benefits
to using marijuana. With this in mind, employees and dispensary owners should have at minimum a basic
understanding of human anatomy & physiology, health & medicine, or have a trained professional in one
of these fields available at regularly scheduled times.
13. Maintaining a patient‘s health is more than providing medicine; it also includes providing emotional
support. Countless research studies, beginning in the 1920s with identification of the placebo effect and
continuing into the modern science of today, all confirm that disease progression and outcome can be negatively
influenced by depression. Depression and anxiety disorders are far more prevalent in the sick and debilitated
communities than in the general healthy populous. Providing movie nights, game nights, field trips, group
activities, barbecues, etc, can significantly increase a patient‘s sense of belonging to something, making them
feel less alienated because of their medical condition.
Research shows that individuals who feel a sense of belonging to something are less likely to become depressed
than those who feel little-to-no attachment.
14. All dispensaries will be equipped with at least three forms of security methods.
These security methods can include:
a. Day/Night security cameras on backup generators
b. Steel doors or solid wood doors with deadbolts
c. A silent alarm at numerous easily accessible locations
d. Pepper spray or a self-defense only form of equipment
e. Bulletproof glass
15. No weapons will ever be allowed in any dispensary for any reason unless it is carried by law enforcement or
an officially licensed armored vehicle service.
This includes any type of knife longer than that found on nail clippers. If a patient brings a weapon into a
dispensary for any reason the police will be notified.
16. All patients must call ahead and make an appointment prior to coming to the dispensary. No more than 3
patients per employee should be in the dispensary at a time.
17. No dispensary will display an advertisement for their company publicly on the building that suggests
marijuana may be in the store.
18. No patients are allowed to medicate on the premises. A patient may try a single vaporizer inhalation. State
laws prohibit smoking in public stores. While the dispensary is not open to the public, it is still a good practice
as it protects patients whom choose not to smoke marijuana. An important consideration in this regard is
comparable to liability of bars and drunk drivers. If a patient were to medicate at a dispensary then cause an
accident, that dispensary owner will be held liable just like a bartender who sold too many drinks to one person.
19. Dispensaries are encouraged to set up an indigent program. Such a program should support a lower cost
payment option for patients on Medicare, Medicaid, or low income patients with families.
20. If a patient is under the age of 21 they must have both their parents consent before assigning a dispensary as
their caregiver.
21. In order for a dispensary to service a client, they must be the caregiver for that client. Merely being a
licensed patient is not sufficient. A bona fide medical relationship must exist.
22. When patients come to the dispensary for products, there is a 20 minute maximum time limit per visit. This
does not apply to special events or prearranged meetings.
23. Have a unique set of rules & regulations that best fits the needs of your patient base (no profanity, dress
code for employees, etc) and have these rules on a poster board for easy viewing. Patients need to feel
comfortable & secure in their treatment and treatment facilities. Tailoring a set of rules & regulations
ensures this comfort & safety.
24. Check inventory daily. Know which employee is handling what material and when. Have a password entry
Point of Sale system to track inventory handling to identify theft.
25. Never keep more than a days worth of inventory out on display in the dispensary. Always keep excess
inventory in a sturdy safe that is either bolted or set in the foundation of the facility.

15
26. Get a state attorney on retainer prior to opening the dispensary doors. Have a contract designed stating the
attorney will only advise you on maintaining legal compliance with the state. Go over entire dispensary concept
with the attorney. Only participate in activities condoned by the attorney.
27. Periodically use a microscope to identify that the trichomes are intact and that kiefing is not occurring by
your employees.
TOP: A 30x magnified view of Purple Dragon, a strong indica hybrid.
The trichome is where approximately 95% of the plant’s medical constituents are stored. Trichomes often
litter the surface of well grown marijuana buds and give high quality cannabis its sticky feeling. Kiefing is a process whereby a
person uses silk screen in a box and rigorously shakes the marijuana buds back and forth so as to remove the trichomes.
The collected trichomes are often pressed with a rolling pin in wax paper with minimal heat to create hash. Street dealers will
often “kief” their buds before selling. This greatly reduces the medical efficacy of the marijuana.
28. A dispensaries pricing should be stable, consistent, and well below typical recreational street prices. When a
patient chooses to use marijuana as medicine, they put themselves in legal danger. Thus, it is illogical for a sick
individual to choose a medicine that costs more than conventional pharmaceuticals while
simultaneously putting themselves in harms way.
29. The dispensary will use a computer to notify employees one month before a client‘s medical marijuana
license expires. The client should be made aware of their need to re-apply. Previously registered patients whom
are not in possession of a current license are no different than non-licensed individuals and dispensary workers
must not distribute any materials to that person until licensed.
30. Products should be tested when questionable for mold, insects, or bacteria. Indeed, several outbreaks have
occurred whereby teenagers have died from fungal contamination of the lungs from smoking moldy cannabis. A
small sample from each plant may be tested via a ―Gram stain‖ or mold toxin dye.
a. Performing a Gram stain:
i. Create a slide smear with the most potentially contaminated sample of cannabis from your batch
ii. Add several drops of crystal violet dye, wait ~ 20-40 seconds. Gently remove the dye with purified water.
iii. Add iodine for 60 seconds, then gently wash with purified water again.
iv. Add several drops of decolorizing agent until no visible dye remains on the smear.
v. The dye basic fuschin is used to counterstain. After a 60 second wash with basic fuschin, gently wash with
purified water and spot dry with bibulous paper.
vi. Gram + bacteria presence is indicated by blue-stained bacterial cells, whereas Gram – bacteria will stain
pink.
b. Performing mold identification testing:
i. Aflatoxins and fumonisin testing kits are available through multiple biotech companies over the internet. Kits
specifically designed for plant and grain materials should only be used, as some test kits are designed to use
blood, serum, and urine as the media.
Products should have as consistent a dosage as possible. Therapeutic efficacy can only be achieved with
repeatability of desired effects. This is an especially important factor when considering that numerous clinical
effects of cannabinoids, which include THC, are biphasic in nature. Biphasic refers to a chemical having
opposite effects on the body when administered in different doses. Biphasic responses may explain diagnostic
testing-variation in various clinical trials, including appetite, heart rate, blood pressure, anxiety, and depression.

16
a. When preparing medicated baked goods, titration of a consistent dosage is especially important. Many
producers of baked goods make medicated butter. For health reasons, it is suggested to switch to olive oil,
which not only reduces cholesterol but also increases natural endocannabinoids that reduce inflammation.
When preparing medicated olive oil, two approaches may be taken:
1. 1 part water + 3 parts olive oil + dissolved hash oil. Use a seperation funnel to remove the water. This process
removes sugars and hydrophilic constituents from the olive oil. While slightly less potent in medical strength,
patient‘s generally find it to be better tasting and more uplifting, non-drowsy.
2. All olive oil and dissolved hash oil. Patients still find the olive oils to be more uplifting than butters, however,
this non-water method is more sedative than the above method.
3. Having an efficient hash making technique is essential to dosing medicated foods. Cooking leaf material is
unreliable for consistency, as butter/oil remains in the leaf, each batch of leaf may be more/less potent than the
next. While each batch of hash will have varying concentrations of chemicals, using the same quantity of
hash each time significantly lowers the margin of variation between batches.
A dispensary should ultimately be designed in a similar fashion to a pharmacy, but with a wider range of
holistic treatment options and a higher level of personal care. A true caregiver relationship relies on a personal
understanding of the patient‘s needs, not what has the highest yield, most psychoactivity, shortest harvest time,
etc.
For more information on proper dispensary guidelines and important information for dispensary owners, the
below citations provide an excellent source of diversified opinion. Indeed, no one group has united a generally
accepted regulatory guideline for dispensaries. For this reason, it is imperative that communications begin
between dispensary owners and law enforcement to ensure safety for the sick and debilitated
1. Grinspoon, Lester. 2001. On the pharmaceuticalization of marijuana. International Journal of Drug Policy.
12: 377-383.
2. Thomas, Huw. 1996. A community survey on the adverse effects of cannabis use. Drug and Alcohol
Dpendence 42:201-207.
3. Ware, Mark, et al. 2006. Evaluation of herbal cannabis characteristics by medical users: a randomized trial.
Harm Reduction Journal 3: 32-38.
4. O‘Connell, Thomas, et al. 2007. Long term marijuana users seeking medical cannabis in California (2001-
2007):demographics, social characteristics, patterns of cannabis and other drug use of 4117 applicants. Harm
Reduction Journal 4: 16.
5. Korf, Durk, et al. 2007. Differential responses to cannabis potency: A typology of users based on self-
reported consumption behaviors. International Journal of Drug Policy 18: 168-176.
Marijuana Risks:
Marijuana has been used for thousands of years as both a medicine and intoxicant. While many marijuana users
believe the plant to be relatively harmless; many believe that no one has ever died from marijuana. This is not
fact. Below are documented cases of individuals dying from the use of marijuana. Understanding the
circumstances surrounding the deaths of these patients is an essential tool for health care professionals as well
as the dispensary worker and caregiving owner. Patients with cardiovascular diseases should take special care
when trying new medicines derived from marijuana.
1. Tatli, Ersan, et al. 2007. Cannabis induced coronary artery thrombosis and acute anterior myocardial
infarction in a young man. International Journal of Cardiology 120: 420-422.
2. Lindsay, Alistair, et al. 2005. Cannabis as a precipitator of cardiovascular emergencies. International Journal
of Cardiology 104: 230-232.

17
An important observation that strengthens support for the need to develop specific medical strains is the fact
that the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD may actually prevent these cardiovascular emergencies that have
occasionally occurred from cannabis use. These deaths were likely caused by a low CBD, high THC strain.
1. Hayakawa, Kazuhide, et al. Cannabidiol prevents infarction via the non-CB1 cannabinoid receptor
mechanism. Neuropharmacology and Neurotoxicology 15: 2381-2385.
Side Effects of Marijuana Use:
If a drug has the ability to change physiology for the better in one type of disease pathology, it is only logical
that it will have the potential for harm in other types of physiology that may not need altercation. For this
reason, marijuana must be respected as a drug despite the recreational beliefs that it is not harmful.
There are far too abundant of rumors concerning marijuana use: propagated both by media and the federal
government (marijuana causes permanent insanity, makes men‘s penis‘ shrink, etc). There are legitimate
concerns about long term marijuana use that must be taken into consideration when deciding to use the plant
medicinally.
The following is a list of research-derived side effects that can happen to marijuana users:
Anxiety, panic attacks
Exacerbate schizophrenia in predisposed individuals
Increase chances of lung infections
Depersonalization, amotivational syndrome
1. Campbell, F.A., et al. 2001. Are cannabinoids an effective and safe treatment option in the management of
pain? A qualitative systematic review. Br. Med. J. 323, 13–16.
2. Leweke, F.M., 2002. Acute effects of cannabis and the cannabinoids. In: Grotenhermen, F., Russo, E. (Eds.),
Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic
3. Potential, The Haworth Integrative Healing Press, New York, pp. 249–256.
4. Leroy, S., et al. 2001. Schizophrenia and the cannabinoid type 1 receptor. Amer. J. of Medical genetics
Despite marijuana‘s ability to induce harmful side effects, many people of hundreds of disease types have
claimed to find therapeutic benefit to its use. In the past few decades the medical and scientific communities
have discovered numerous mechanisms by which the components of marijuana can both alleviate and cure
certain diseases. In the past month, the American College of Physicians, the nations second largest collaborative
of medical doctors, published a formal 13 page statement whereby they claim:
―Evidence not only supports the use of medical marijuana in certain conditions but also suggests numerous
indications for cannabinoids. Additional research is needed to further clarify the therapeutic value of
cannabinoids and determine optimal routes of administration. The science on medical marijuana should not be
obscured or hindered by the debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana for general use.‖
Please visit the ACP website to read their position on medical marijuana.
Read, ―Supporting Research into the Therapeutic Role of Marijuana‖
http://www.acponline.org/acp_news/medmarinews.htm
Marijuana is a complex mixture of literally hundreds of chemicals, dozens of which have been identified to
have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, stimulatory, depressant, and anti-depressant activities. Again, the
author‘s emphasize the need for dispensaries to use consistent growing parameters and dosaging in alternative
products to ensure reproducibility in effects and thus minimize harmful side effects.

18
Why Use Marijuana?
Despite fears of federal prosecution, patients continue to use medical marijuana to alleviate their conditions. For
some patients, discovery of marijuana‘s therapeutic use came from recreational experiences with the plant while
experiencing pain, nausea, or some other condition that caused discomfort. For others, they tried numerous
FDA approved pharmaceuticals and either did not find satisfactory results or could not bear the side effects.
Individual patients often describe similar undesirable side effects from their pharmaceutical medications. In a
macroscopic analysis, these complaints represent but a small fraction of an overwhelming epidemic plaguing
our nation‘s medical industry.
―Death by Medicine‖ was published in 2007 by five medical doctors and PHDs.
It is a complete 28 page documentation of epidemic problems with the current American
medical system. The statistics below were collected across the country:
• 2.2 million hospitalizations each year from adverse effects to prescription drugs
• 7.5 million unnecessary surgeries per year
• 8.9 million unnecessary hospitalizations yearly
• American medical system found to be leading cause of death in US
at 783,936 deaths compared to 699,697 from heart disease in 2001
The authors further state in the introduction:
―Natural medicine is under siege, as pharmaceutical company lobbyists urge lawmakers to deprive Americans
of the benefits of dietary supplements. Drug-company front groups have launched slanderous media campaigns
to discredit the value of healthy lifestyles. The FDA continues to interfere with those who offer natural products
that compete with prescription drugs.
These attacks against natural medicine obscure a lethal problem that until now was buried in thousands of pages
of scientific text. In response to these baseless challenges to natural medicine, the Nutrition Institute of America
commissioned an independent review of the quality of ―government-approved‖ medicine. The startling findings
from this meticulous study indicate that conventional medicine is ―the leading cause of death‖ in the United
States. The Nutrition Institute of America is a nonprofit organization that has sponsored independent research
for the past 30 years. Tosupport its bold claim that conventional medicine is America 's number-one killer, the
Nutritional Institute of America mandated that every ―count‖ in this ―indictment‖ of US medicine be validated
by published, peer-reviewed scientific studies. What you are about to read is a stunning compilation of facts that
documents that those who seek to abolish consumer access to natural therapies are misleading the public. Over
700,000 Americans die each year at the hands of government-sanctioned medicine, while the FDA and other
government agencies pretend to protect the public by harassing those who offer safe alternatives. A definitive
review of medical peer-reviewed journals and government health statistics shows that American medicine
frequently causes more harm than good.‖
This is not to say that just because something is natural that it is healthier than a pharmaceutical. However,
natural alternative medicines of whole-plant extract origin do have unique properties ignored by conventional
medicine due to the need for scientific methods. FDA approved pharmaceuticals must be exactly titrated
dosages of a single active ingredient, or combination of known ingredients.

19
Below is a list of chemicals in marijuana:
1. Cannabinoids: 78 known as of 2008.
2. Terpenoids: 103 known
3. Fatty Acids: 12 known
4. Non-cannabinoid Phenols: 16 known
5. Flavanoids: 19 known- these are potential antioxidants
HO CH3
OH
CH3
H3C
H3C
Cannabidiol (CBD)
O CH3
OH
CH3
H3C
H3C
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
18
C H 3
O
O H
A n a n d am id e
Anandamide is what the human body produces naturally that binds to the cannabinoid receptors. It is also what
THC mimics to cause psychoactivity. Anandamide is what gives chocolate its mood elevating effects in some
individuals.
Many of the cannabinoids and terpenoids found within marijuana work together to create an additive effect
called synergy. Synergy refers to an increased effect caused by combining two or more drugs, an effect that
could not be caused by either drug alone. Synergy of cannabinoids is supported by the fact that Marinol
(synthetic, pure THC), has a higher incidence rate of panic attacks and paranoia than clinical studies utilizing
whole marijuana plant.
The following list describes comparisons in medical efficacy of marijuana constituents to conventional
medications, in addition to illustrating point of potential synergy:
1. CBD, CBG, CBN, β-myrcene(terpenoid), quercitan(flavanoid), and cannflavin
A, are but a few constituents other than THC that exert anti-inflammatory effects.
2. Cannflavin A is 30x more potent than aspirin in reducing inflammation in rheumatoid synovial cells (arthritis
model).
3. THC has 20x anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin, twice that of hydrocortisone
4. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties at lower doses than aspirin
5. Quercitan is a powerful antioxidant. Also found to be anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory, which may
mitigate the potential for marijuana smoking to cause lung cancer.
Source: Chapter 7 of ―Medical uses of cannabis and Cannabinoids‖, Geoffrey Guy, 2004.
Marijuana is an extremely difficult plant to study for clinical effects due to the variation in the abundant amount
of therapeutic chemicals. The scientific method applied to pharmaceuticals does not currently allow for
synergistic therapies, likely because of their variation in outcome between individuals. Ultimately, the true
therapeutic potential of marijuana remains untapped until a new scientific method is developed to identify
clinical outcomes with varying quantities of multiple chemicals.

20
A Few Words From the FDA and NIH
(Food & Drug Administration and the National Institute of Health):
Ironically on April 20, 2006 the FDA made a press release stating:
―Marijuana is listed in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the most restrictive schedule. The
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which administers the CSA, continues to support that placement and
FDA concurred because marijuana met the three criteria for placement in Schedule I under 21 U.S.C. 812(b)(1)
(e.g., marijuana has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United
States, and has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision).
CH3 OH
O
CH3
CH3
H3C CH3
Cannabigerol
Furthermore, there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful. A past evaluation by several
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Institute for
Drug Abuse (NIDA), concluded that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for
treatment in the United States, and no animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for
general medical use. There are alternative FDA-approved medications in existence for treatment of many of the
proposed uses of smoked marijuana.‖
What is interesting is that wording is careful to only specify ―smoked‖ marijuana. Devices are now available
called vaporizers. Vaporizers do not use fire for the combustion (burning) of marijuana. Instead, they use heat to
vaporize the medicinal materials without causing the formation of carcinogens. Studies have unequivocally
confirmed the effectiveness and safety of vaporization.
Hazekamp, Arno, et al. 2005. Evaluation of a vaporizing device (VolcanoR) for the pulmonary administration
of tetrahydrocannabinol. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 95: 1308-1317.
It is also noteworthy that the FDA statement mentions the National Institute of Health. Apparently, there is no
sound evidence that marijuana has therapeutic potential, but abundant research to support its harmful side
effects. One would have to question the validity of the science that supports these potential harms if they were
performed by the National Institute of Health, as this government funded organization published research
proving that the psychoactive component of marijuana, THC, has a greater antioxidant capacity than both
vitamins A and E. These findings occurred eight years prior to the FDA statement that no valid scientific
research supports medical marijuana!
Hampson, AJ, et al. 1998. Cannabidiol and (-)_9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants.
Proceedings of the National Academies of Science 95: 8268-8273.

21
Conclusion:
A total of 23 states and the District of Columbia now allow for comprehensive public medical marijuana
and cannabis programs. Recently approved efforts in eleven states allow use of "low THC, high cannabidiol
(CBD)" products for medical reasons in limited situations or as a legal defense. Those programs are not counted
as comprehensive medical marijuana programs Given that it remains federally illegal despite patients,
researchers, and doctors pleas for re-classification, it is up to dispensary owners and caregivers to represent this
growing movement with ethics, consistency, and legality when possible. As a uniquely regulated industry
dispensaries will progress in an exponential and profit-oriented fashion, along with government partners.
As an alternative therapy that poses numerous risks, both medical and legal, it is essential that dispensary
owners expand availability of cannabis medicines in a fair and appropriate manner.
This presentation was designed to educate both dispensary owner and law enforcement. Communication
between these two groups is essential to the health and well being of patients. The authors do not make claim to
performing any illegal activities and merely provide these materials as a means to initiate a safe, well-rounded
business model that maximizes benefits to all the citizens of the states in which medical marijuana is allowed.
We thank you for your interest in this topic and welcome your input.
All questions and inquiries may be sent to:
commjexpert@gmail.com ; triplehelix28@yahoo.com
This document has been brought to you as a public service by
The Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative
Patients Helping Patients
COLORADO CARES Medical Marijuana Discussion Group http://www.medmarijuana.meetup.com/119
PHOENIX TEARS FOUNDATION http://www.phoenixtearsfoundation.com
CANNABIS THERAPY INSTITUTE http://www.cannabistherapyinstitute.com

22
The Cannabinoid System
Dr. Robert J. Melamede Ph.D. Chairman of the Biology Department of the University of Colorado (retired):
Conducting Scientific research on Cannabinoids
*(Please Consider reviewing the Invaluable resource of educational information and video tutorials
located on ―Dr. Bob‘s Homepage‖ http://www.uccs.edu/~rmelamed/ )
The Cannabinoid System has been around for over 600 million years. Before the Dinosaurs. The Cannabinoid
System is continuously evolutioning and has been retained by all new species. Food and feeding is at the heart
of the Cannabinoid System.

23
1. Cannabinoids are in every living animal on the planet above Hydra and Mollusks, with the exception of
insects. Bodies are homeostatically maintained by the Cannabinoid System.
2. Mothers give their babies a booster shot of cannabinoids in mothers milk to give them the munchies because
they have to learn to eat. (they've been fed thru the umbilical cord and did not have to know how to eat.)
3. Mice lacking the CB1 receptors don't like any changes. If they are moved to another part of the cage they act
upset and when they are put back to the original spot in the cage they relax, but if then put into another part of
the cage they get upset again. Comment: I wonder if people, especially drug warriors, had their CB1 receptors
blocked then they would resist change and the ones of us that have unblocked CB1 receptors enjoy the benefits
of cannabinoids are a lot more relaxed and not paranoid about or over change. Interesting thought. It turns out
that that thought is absolutely correct. Many people' brains are not capable of a good connection to the CB1
CB2 receptors.
4. All new species utilize cannabinoids.
5. By being alive and breathing air our bodies produce "free radicals". Cannabinoids help to reverse this action.
6. Cannabinoids do kill brain cells, but the brain cells they kill are called "Glioma" or Cancer of the brain
(Tumor). All other brain cells are protected and healed by cannabinoids. (Glioma cells cannot tolerate the action
of cannabinoids)
7. Cannabinoids protect against sunburn and skin cancer because of the CB1 receptors in our skin.
8. Cannabinoids slow down the aging process. Mice that their brains respond to cannabinoids live longer and
mice that have brains that block the CB1 receptors die younger.
9. Activity in the evolutionary advanced areas of the brain is increased in cannabinoids receptors and promotes
higher consciousness levels.
10. Cannabinoids are even found in the white blood cells (CB2 receptors). The CB2 receptors are found
predominantly on immunological cells and regulate the shift in the immune system to the anti-inflammatory
mode.
11. Cannabinoids protect the heart against Arythmia.
12. The way it works on pain is there is specific nerves that deal with pain. They are called vanilloid-Receptors.
Anandamide (sanscript word for "Blissful Amide"), the bodies internally produced marijuana binds with the
nerve endings, reducing pain. Anandamides are produced internally by our bodies in response to a whole variety
of conditions. As an example, Aspirin prevents the breakdown of Anandamide, the internally produced
marijuana to activate & start working at easing pain. How many old lady's say they "WOULD NEVER" use
marijuana & are actually using the equivalent of marijuana that their bodies produce as a natural activity, &
don't even realize it. And how many politicians and citizens of the US do this also & aren't even aware they are
condemning something that their bodies make naturally. Anecdotal evidence is valid because when a person
smokes marijuana & it relieves their pain, then they smoke it again & it relieves their pain again it becomes a
fact known only to that person, but nonetheless true.
13. In the case of most autoimmune diseases, the bodies immune cells produces free radicals & is destroying it's
own body as a foreign object. Cannabis pushes the immune system into anti inflammatory mode & helps slow
the progression of that disease, thereby slowing down the aging process.
14. Seizures are controlled by marijuana not only THC, but non-psychoactive cannabidiol.(CBD) The exact
mechanism is not known, however HEMP is high in CBD's & can cancel out the psychoactive high of THC &
at the same time benefits the user or smoker. Cannabinoids control everything in our bodies including our
minds.
15. There are many other things that Cannabinoids do in the body, besides attaching to the CB1 and CB2
receptors, the main cannabinoid receptors in the higher part of our brain. Cannabinoids affect our skin and other
parts of our bodies.
16. Pharmaceutical companies are working at sythesizing different cannabinoid components and different types
of strains of marijuana. If they can succeed, then there will be more choices for you and I to choose from and
we will be able to use what works best for our particular bodies.

24
17. The natural course for mankind, because of the location of our CB1 CB2 the brains main receptors, is to be
more stoned.
18. Drug warriors are not doing what they are doing to us because they are intentionally evil, but because they
are more primitive (obtuse comes to mind). They look at the world with fear and hostility not cooperativity and
understanding.
19. According to a brain function study of 150 depressed people Cannabis protects the brain against healthy cell
death and it also protects Neurons.
20. Cannabinoids dilate our brochial tubes and help asthsma sufferers to breath both in and out. Because of the
balance that is maintained in our bodies for good health there are instances where it works backwards, where
death is possible, if too much is smoked. This goes back to the effects of cannabinoids on individuals and if it
doesn't work for you, you should not use it. There was some old studies that were done back in 1977 where
"AEROSOLIZED THC" was used on patients. This is not what the government tells us when they say it's not
medicine, but we are all familiar with the 7 government patients that are supplied marijuana to be used as
medicine and we know the government is lying.
21. Natural pain eradication by cannabinol used by our receptors.
22. Cannabinoids control how we view the future. If you're loaded with bad experiences you're going to be
fearful of the future. Lots of smoking of cannabinoids makes you want to be in the future. Lack of change vs
embracing the future and changes. Conservative people might die prematurely, stressed, uptight and fearful
(genocide). Open minded people and mice are able to change, whereas; people with defective receptors and
knock-out mice (mice that have had their receptors removed) will keep going to the platform after it has been
removed. They will be fearful of change.
23. Cannabinoids prevent and treat certain types of Cancer. Glioma (Brain Cancer) along with
pheochromocytoma, skin cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, Lymphoma and Leukemia. Cannabinoids may
prevent or cure cancer. Cannabinoids have a way of killing the bad cells and protecting the good ones.
24. Cannabis gives relief to Liver Disease & constant uncontrollable itching. Also, lack of sleep and depression
and has been doing so for 600 million years.
25. THC in low doses relieves anxiety, while huge doses promote anxiety. (It's too strong like Marinol)
Smoking marijuana relieves anxiety. Marijuana promotes sleeping better and normal persons when they are
deprived of marijuana would have difficulty sleeping. (One other thing I'd like to add: When ingested, delta 9
THC, on the first pass thru the liver, changes into delta 11 THC. Five times as psychoactive and much longer
lasting. I don't know how many people understand that. Ralph)
26. Cannabis protects nerve cells from dying thus protects against Altzheimers Disease.
27. Our bodies make up marijuana like compounds to make us hungry. (gives us the munchies) Then turn off
those compounds & we don't have the munchies anymore when it has had enough food. The cannabinoid
system first appeared 600 million years ago. Food & feeding is at the heart of evolution & the development of
new species.
28. Head injuries cause the body to produce Endo-cannabinoids to protect itself as well as protecting the body
against Nerve Gas. Marijuana turns on the bodies Protective Mode, because when you're hungry the body
makes Cannabinoids to turn on your hunger. Cannabinoids turn on the expression of a Particular Gene (at the
same time it prevents the expression of other Genes). How the Marijuana Receptors change the Integral Bio-
Chemistry. Some of the Molecules that are involved or been studied in a Model Organism. There is a worm that
people study alot. They have very simple Nervous Systems so you can define what exactly is going on. It turns
out this one Particular Molecule regulates what is known as a Transcription Factor (It turns on the Expression of
Genes.) It turns out that when you turn on the Expression of this Particular Gene of the Worm Model it actually
promotes Mimicking a condition that actually Promotes Longevity of these worms. This Parallels what we've
seen in mice. Because Marijuana exhibits Free Radicals so people who've been using Cannabis, Long Term,
tend to Live Longer & Look Younger. Marijuana Promotes your Health by affecting your Nerve Cells, by
Balancing your Immune System, by Reducing Fat Deposition in your Cardio-Vascular System. It looks as if it
helps Burn the Synthesis of things like Cholesterol.
29. New research shows that the argument over outlawing cannabis because it "Causes Cancer" is no longer

25
valid. There are Nicotine Receptors in your throat. There are no Cannabinoid Receptors in your throat. Cells
have a Bio-chemical Program known as "APOPTOSIS". This Bio-chemical Program is activated when cells too
damaged to repair themselves commit suicide. There is a Bio-chemical Pathway that controls that. Nicotine
activates a path that protects the cells from dying. Smoking anything puts Carcinogens into your Air Passage-
ways and Cardio-Vascular system. Cells that get damaged by smoke die and that's what you want to happen.
Cells to die before they become Cancer Cells.
30. Cannabinoids modulate pain peripherally. In our bodies there are special kinds of pain receptors, known as
Vanaloid receptors & they are sensitive to things like heat & excessive pressure & they are responsible for pain.
It turns out that a natural regulator of that that down-regulates pain. The endocannabinoid known as
Anandamide, the blissful amide, when you combine Sanskrit for ananda & amide for the chemical type. It's
clearly known that cannabis can regulate pain, that's been done in numerous studies, but recently , as we learn
more about the molecular mechanisms of pain & cannabinoid action what we have now learned is that there is a
lot of crosstalk between the cannabinoid system & the morphine, the opioid system. The name of an article that
just came out is called Chronic morphine modulates the contents of the endocannabinoid tuorachidonalglycerol
in the rat brain. So, tuorachidonalglycerol is another endocannabinoid. We feel pain thru the sensory nerves that
are telling us that we're in a painful situation & on the other hand we feel it within our minds because certain
areas of our brain subsequently get tickled. What we are seeing now is that the cannabinoid system works both
peripherally & centrally & what we are gonna talk about here is this new work that links the cannabinoids more
with the opioids in that opioids & cannabinoids are among the most widely consumed drugs of abuse in humans
& phenomena of cross-tolerations or mutual potentiation demonstrated between these two drugs. Some of the
recent work on pain has come out of England as a result of work done by G.W. Pharmaceuticals which is a
company that specializes in producing cannabis plants. They've developed different strains that have different
ratios of the cannabinoids & those different plants have different properties. In the past I've mentioned Bi-Polar
disorder. Some people who are Bi-Polar & are depressive find Sativa's are good to help elevate them & if
they're in an elevated mood & in a manic state they have to be brought down alittle & the Indica's seem to be
better for that & likewise they're different ratio's of these cannabinoids that are thought to benefit for example
pain, more than others, that are thought to benefit auto-immune diseases. This is being worked out, but what I'd
like to go into now is that some of the new links that seem to be occurring in this particular study that I just
mentioned, what they are finding is that chronic administration of Opioids is in fact down-regulating the
tuorachidonalglycerol which as mentioned, is one of the endo-cannabinoids. Interestingly the Anandamide level
seem to be remaining the same, but this other one, tuorachidonalglycerol seems to be down-regulated. In knock-
out mice, these are mice where a particular gene is missing, it turns out that you can eliminate alot of the
withdrawal systems associated with opium if you have knocked out the receptors. When people go thru
withdrawal, they get terribly nauseous & feel horribly sick, well, what we do know cannabinoids control
nausea. That's why it's being used by people who are receiving Chemo-therapy or disorders where they are
chronically nauseous. Cannabinoids can be very effective for that. So what we are seeing is that morphine turns
down the Endogenous cannabinoid Arachidonic acid & that seems to be involved in some of the addictive
behavior & this is kind of interesting because we know that cannabinoids themselves other than very twisted
circumstances do not show addictive behavior. On the one hand we have the cannabinoid potentiating the
morphine, in that people who need morphine for pain can often use 50% of what they normally use by including
cannabinoids & on the other hand, we're seeing that the cannabinoid receptor system is involved in addiction &
I mentioned a long time ago, that cannabinoids can be beneficial for some people in their attempt to withdraw &
now we're seeing support for that in that chronic morphine administration is turning off one of the cannabinoids
that's in turn, turning on some of the withdrawal systems.
31. Cannabinoids represent a general class of chemicals, not just cannabis & THC in plants, but rather also
cannabinoids that are produced in our bodies. These happen to be Lipid compounds that result from burning &
making fats. The thing that is so unique about this system represents how it works so broadly for various health
reasons. That is that every single system in our bodies & by system I mean our nervous system or digestive
system or reproductive system or immunological system or endocrine system, you name it & the cannabinoids

26
are involved in maintaining what's known as homostasis balance. We need to have the right amount of these
components of this system which includes the compounds like THC which is better known as Lygan. They bind
to specific receptors & then they are broken down by another enzyme that breaks down these things. So, we
have a whole network of bio-chemistry that's influencing everything in our bodies. The question that arises is
that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. The system, the cannabinoid system influencing
everything in our bodies & the question is what are the nature of the wholes? What are the greater pictures that
emerge out of this cannabinoid systems activity. So we see, for example, regulating reproductive system,
digestive system, immune system & when they are all working together in a way that is concertedly modulated
by the cannabinoid system what can we expect to see, & I would suggest that what's represented by the
influences of cannabinoids & cannabis on our mind, in that it opens up our minds to new ways of thinking, it
free's us from being stuck in a single track of thinking & that's exactly the kind of thought processes that are
required as we move into the future which is generally composed of the unknown. What the cannabinoid system
is doing is giving us a way to peacefully & lovingly adapt to change & be open to change. We see in these mice
that we can knock-out the cannabinoid system that they are afraid of change. The implications of this are really
profound if in fact we have people that are shifted one way or the other in terms of their ability to modulate &
accept change that is of profound importance because we see people that are afraid to look forward, happily
embracing the future. There are health ramifications for all of this. The cannabinoid system can help us with
cardio-vascular disease where it reduces infarctsize with auto-immune diseases where it helps ameliorate &
prevent the development of a whole variety of auto-immune diseases including things like arthritis, multiple
sclerosis, diabetes, crones disease & it's also involved with, as a natural regulator of our pain. So we have this
holistic medicine that's influencing so many things & I forgot to mention that it regulates our memories &
mental pains & in fact, regulates alot of life/death decisions in our cells, nerve cells in particular, which is why
it's so beneficial for neurological disorders often associated with the aging, such as Alzheimer's disease. What
we're seeing is a holistic medicine & again it has to be used appropriately, too little is no good, & we may be
making enough. Individuals may be making enough, but there could be many many people who are not making
enough or their system is not active enough who will be able to benefit from the use of cannabis & other
cannabinoids. To regulate all of the things we've mentioned that it regulates. So, we've got a holistic health
program. To find the balance that's required for our optimum health is something that's totally built into the
cannabinoid system. Therefore, it should be readily available to use wisely.
Cannabinoids, their boiling points, and properties
Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Boiling point: 157*C / 314.6 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Euphoriant, Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiemetic
cannabidiol (CBD)
Boiling point: 160-180*C / 320-356 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Anxiolytic, Analgesic, Antipsychotic, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic
Cannabinol (CBN)
Boiling point: 185*C / 365 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Oxidation, breakdown, product, Sedative, Antibiotic
cannabichromene (CBC)
Boiling point: 220*C / 428 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Antiinflammatory, Antibiotic, Antifungal

27
Δ-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-8-THC)
Boiling point: 175-178*C / 347-352.4 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Resembles Δ-9-THC, Less psychoactive, More stable Antiemetic
tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
Boiling point: < 220*C / <428 degree Fahrenheit
Properties: Analgesic, Euphoriant

28
GUIDE FOR COLORADO PHYSICIANS
Determining THC & Plant Number Recommendations:
Cannabinoid Compositions in Plant material: 1-99% THC, 0-99% CBD, ~3% total in dry weight
Oral Bioavailability: 6+/-3% Inhaled Bioavailability: 10-35%
Avg. Joint = 1000mg
1000 x .03 = 30mg
-50% pyrolysis, -30% smoke = 6 mg/joint
Baked goods = 4oz plant material/ 1lb butter
4oz = 112,000mg
112,000 x .03 = 3360
3360 x.06 = 201.6 mg bioavailability
Neuropathy Clinical Trials: 33% pain reduction with 3.56% THC joint
1000mg x .0356 = 35.6mg THC
Neuropathy treatment: 35mg THC (Marinol Therapeutic Doses 2-40mg)
Pharmacodynamics: Efficacy for <4 hours
Designing the patient's dosage:
1. A plant will grow 1-4 ounces, or 112,000mg
1. 28,000 x .03 = 840 112,000 x .03 = 3360mg
2. Smoking: 840/35 = 24 x .35 = 8.4 treatments,
3360/35 = 96 x .35 = 33.6 treatments
3. Eating: 840/100 = 8.4 x .06 = .5 treatments 3360/100 = 33.6 x .06 = 11.76
treatments
4. Thus a patient can expect 8.5-33.6 treatments/ plant for smoking, or .5-11.76
treatments when eating
1. Refer to patients pain/disease symptom description
1. Calculate # by determining how many 4 hour intervals consumed by symptoms
to cover pharmacodynamics from literature)
2. Titrate dosage/plant numbers
1. 1 plant = 8/33 or 1/12 treatments
2. Plant growth cycle: Clone: minimum = 14 weeks(Indicas), max =20 (sativas),
average = 17, or 119 days
3. Smoking: 8/119, 33/119, = .06 minimum, 0.27 maximum treatments/day
4. Eating: 1/119, 12/119 = 0.008 minimum, 0.22 maximum treatments/day

29
Ds x 7
S:E x 17 x T
Where:
Ds = daily # of symptoms, where every 4h period denotes 1 unit
S = if patient smokes (2.8)
E = if patient eats (1.9)
T = tolerance, based on patient's description of symptom severity, where a legitimate symptom description of:
5, T=1
6-8, T=2
9, T=2.5
10, T=3
Example: Patient has severe pain described at an 8, 3 times daily and wishes to smoke.
3 x 7
2.8 x 2 = 15 plants if smoked
3 x 7
1.9 x 2 = 22 plants if eaten
· Results in pain(hypothalamus/spinal cord) can be extrapolated to nausea
(pons/medulla), seizures (frontal lobe/cingulated cortex), brain tumors, other
treatments whose sites of action are of CNS nature
· Add .75 to each T value for bone, pancreas, low partition coefficient value tissues
as target site
Medical Considerations
· Opiate Synergy
o Similar cAMP regulation in dorsal horn & spinothalamic tract
o 1 patient hospitalized from discontinuing oxycotin since cannabis helped so greatly
o Advice patients taking opiates not to stop meds if cannabis helps
· Blood Pressure
o Varying results, PPARgamma agonist, lowers BP, vasodilator
o Decreases TH1, increases TH2, BP effects from cytokines
o Cannabis may confound vasodilators(nitrates) effects
o Cannabis is harmful for high TH2 characterized diseases, TB, Leishmaniasis, extremely low BP
· Psychological
o Potentially a biphasic response: epidemiologic data for schizophrenia, depression, molecular data for
benefits to depression, bipolar, anxiety
o CBD strains (indicas) strongly suggested for stressed, depressed patients, psychological disorder patients
never get numbers increased without 1 year of card & proof of regular treatment

30
Important Points For the Patient:
· Most believe nobody has ever died from marijuana
o Several cases of MI, 6 cases of fungal infection in lungs from mold
o Always be honest with other doctors about MMJ in case of drug interactions
§ May be problematic for doctors based out of insurance companies
· State does not provide protection for use in the car
· If choosing to smoke, stress importance of vaporization
Most Important Point for You:
* DEA cannot prosecute a doctor who recommends marijuana, as long as that recommendation is not on a
prescription pad

31
The Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry
0-4-287 - ARTICLE XVIII - Miscellaneous Art. XVIII - Miscellaneous
0-4-287 - ARTICLE XVIII - Miscellaneous Art. XVIII - Miscellaneous
Section 14. Medical use of marijuana for persons suffering from debilitating medical conditions. (1) As used in
this section, these terms are defined as follows:
(a) "Debilitating medical condition" means:
(I) Cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, or acquired immune deficiency
syndrome, or treatment for such conditions;
(II) A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition, or treatment for such conditions, which produces, for
a specific patient, one or more of the following, and for which, in the professional opinion of the patient's
physician, such condition or conditions reasonably may be alleviated by the medical use of marijuana: cachexia;
severe pain; severe nausea; seizures, including those that are characteristic of epilepsy; or persistent muscle
spasms, including those that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis; or
(III) Any other medical condition, or treatment for such condition, approved by the state health agency,
pursuant to its rule making authority or its approval of any petition submitted by a patient or physician as
provided in this section.
(b) "Medical use" means the acquisition, possession, production, use, or transportation of marijuana or
paraphernalia related to the administration of such marijuana to address the symptoms or effects of a patient's
debilitating medical condition, which may be authorized only after a diagnosis of the patient's debilitating
medical condition by a physician or physicians, as provided by this section.
(c) "Parent" means a custodial mother or father of a patient under the age of eighteen years, any person having
custody of a patient under the age of eighteen years, or any person serving as a legal guardian for a patient
under the age of eighteen years.
(d) "Patient" means a person who has a debilitating medical condition.
(e) "Physician" means a doctor of medicine who maintains, in good standing, a license to practice medicine
issued by the state of Colorado.
(f) "Primary care-giver" means a person, other than the patient and the patient's physician, who is eighteen years
of age or older and has significant responsibility for managing the well-being of a patient who has a debilitating
medical condition.
(g) "Registry identification card" means that document, issued by the state health agency, which identifies a
patient authorized to engage in the medical use of marijuana and such patient's primary care-giver, if any has
been designated.

32
(h) "State health agency" means that public health related entity of state government designated by the governor
to establish and maintain a confidential registry of patients authorized to engage in the medical use of marijuana
and enact rules to administer this program.
(i) "Usable form of marijuana" means the seeds, leaves, buds, and flowers of the plant (genus) cannabis, and
any mixture or preparation thereof, which are appropriate for medical use as provided in this section, but
excludes the plant's stalks, stems, and roots.
(j) "Written documentation" means a statement signed by a patient's physician or copies of the patient's
pertinent medical records.
(2) (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (5), (6), and (8) of this section, a patient or primary care-
giver charged with a violation of the state's criminal laws related to the patient's medical use of marijuana will
be deemed to have established an affirmative defense to such allegation where:
(I) The patient was previously diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition;
(II) The patient was advised by his or her physician, in the context of a bona fide physician-patient relationship,
that the patient might benefit from the medical use of marijuana in connection with a debilitating medical
condition; and
(III) The patient and his or her primary care-giver were collectively in possession of amounts of marijuana only
as permitted under this section.
This affirmative defense shall not exclude the assertion of any other defense where a patient or primary care-
giver is charged with a violation of state law related to the patient's medical use of marijuana.
(b) Effective June 1, 2001, it shall be an exception from the state's criminal laws for any patient or primary care-
giver in lawful possession of a registry identification card to engage or assist in the medical use of marijuana,
except as otherwise provided in subsections (5) and (8) of this section.
(c) It shall be an exception from the state's criminal laws for any physician to:
(I) Advise a patient whom the physician has diagnosed as having a debilitating medical condition, about the
risks and benefits of medical use of marijuana or that he or she might benefit from the medical use of marijuana,
provided that such advice is based upon the physician's contemporaneous assessment of the patient's medical
history and current medical condition and a bona fide physician-patient relationship; or
(II) Provide a patient with written documentation, based upon the physician's contemporaneous assessment of
the patient's medical history and current medical condition and a bona fide physician-patient relationship,
stating that the patient has a debilitating medical condition and might benefit from the medical use of marijuana.
No physician shall be denied any rights or privileges for the acts authorized by this subsection.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, no person, including a patient or primary care-giver, shall be
entitled to the protection of this section for his or her acquisition, possession, manufacture, production, use, sale,
distribution, dispensing, or transportation of marijuana for any use other than medical use.
(e) Any property interest that is possessed, owned, or used in connection with the medical use of marijuana or
acts incidental to such use, shall not be harmed, neglected, injured, or destroyed while in the possession of state
or local law enforcement officials where such property has been seized in connection with the claimed medical

33
use of marijuana. Any such property interest shall not be forfeited under any provision of state law providing
for the forfeiture of property other than as a sentence imposed after conviction of a criminal offense or entry of
a plea of guilty to such offense. Marijuana and paraphernalia seized by state or local law enforcement officials
from a patient or primary care-giver in connection with the claimed medical use of marijuana shall be returned
immediately upon the determination of the district attorney or his or her designee that the patient or primary
care-giver is entitled to the protection contained in this section as may be evidenced, for example, by a decision
not to prosecute, the dismissal of charges, or acquittal.
(3) The state health agency shall create and maintain a confidential registry of patients who have applied for and
are entitled to receive a registry identification card according to the criteria set forth in this subsection, effective
June 1, 2001.
(a) No person shall be permitted to gain access to any information about patients in the state health agency's
confidential registry, or any information otherwise maintained by the state health agency about physicians and
primary care-givers, except for authorized employees of the state health agency in the course of their official
duties and authorized employees of state or local law enforcement agencies which have stopped or arrested a
person who claims to be engaged in the medical use of marijuana and in possession of a registry identification
card or its functional equivalent, pursuant to paragraph (e) of this subsection (3). Authorized employees of state
or local law enforcement agencies shall be granted access to the information contained within the state health
agency's confidential registry only for the purpose of verifying that an individual who has presented a registry
identification card to a state or local law enforcement official is lawfully in possession of such card.
(b) In order to be placed on the state's confidential registry for the medical use of marijuana, a patient must
reside in Colorado and submit the completed application form adopted by the state health agency, including the
following information, to the state health agency:
(I) The original or a copy of written documentation stating that the patient has been diagnosed with a
debilitating medical condition and the physician's conclusion that the patient might benefit from the medical use
of marijuana;
(II) The name, address, date of birth, and social security number of the patient;
(III) The name, address, and telephone number of the patient's physician; and
(IV) The name and address of the patient's primary care-giver, if one is designated at the time of application.
(c) Within thirty days of receiving the information referred to in subparagraphs (3) (b) (I)-(IV), the state health
agency shall verify medical information contained in the patient's written documentation. The agency shall
notify the applicant that his or her application for a registry identification card has been denied if the agency's
review of such documentation discloses that: the information required pursuant to paragraph (3) (b) of this
section has not been provided or has been falsified; the documentation fails to state that the patient has a
debilitating medical condition specified in this section or by state health agency rule; or the physician does not
have a license to practice medicine issued by the state of Colorado. Otherwise, not more than five days after
verifying such information, the state health agency shall issue one serially numbered registry identification card
to the patient, stating:
(I) The patient's name, address, date of birth, and social security number;
(II) That the patient's name has been certified to the state health agency as a person who has a debilitating
medical condition, whereby the patient may address such condition with the medical use of marijuana;

34
(III) The date of issuance of the registry identification card and the date of expiration of such card, which shall
be one year from the date of issuance; and
(IV) The name and address of the patient's primary care-giver, if any is designated at the time of application.
(d) Except for patients applying pursuant to subsection (6) of this section, where the state health agency, within
thirty-five days of receipt of an application, fails to issue a registry identification card or fails to issue verbal or
written notice of denial of such application, the patient's application for such card will be deemed to have been
approved. Receipt shall be deemed to have occurred upon delivery to the state health agency, or deposit in the
United States mails. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no application shall be deemed received prior to June 1,
1999. A patient who is questioned by any state or local law enforcement official about his or her medical use of
marijuana shall provide a copy of the application submitted to the state health agency, including the written
documentation and proof of the date of mailing or other transmission of the written documentation for delivery
to the state health agency, which shall be accorded the same legal effect as a registry identification card, until
such time as the patient receives notice that the application has been denied.
(e) A patient whose application has been denied by the state health agency may not reapply during the six
months following the date of the denial and may not use an application for a registry identification card as
provided in paragraph (3) (d) of this section. The denial of a registry identification card shall be considered a
final agency action. Only the patient whose application has been denied shall have standing to contest the
agency action.
(f) When there has been a change in the name, address, physician, or primary care- giver of a patient who has
qualified for a registry identification card, that patient must notify the state health agency of any such change
within ten days. A patient who has not designated a primary care-giver at the time of application to the state
health agency may do so in writing at any time during the effective period of the registry identification card, and
the primary care-giver may act in this capacity after such designation. To maintain an effective registry
identification card, a patient must annually resubmit, at least thirty days prior to the expiration date stated on the
registry identification card, updated written documentation to the state health agency, as well as the name and
address of the patient's primary care-giver, if any is designated at such time.
(g) Authorized employees of state or local law enforcement agencies shall immediately notify the state health
agency when any person in possession of a registry identification card has been determined by a court of law to
have willfully violated the provisions of this section or its implementing legislation, or has pled guilty to such
offense.
(h) A patient who no longer has a debilitating medical condition shall return his or her registry identification
card to the state health agency within twenty-four hours of receiving such diagnosis by his or her physician.
(i) The state health agency may determine and levy reasonable fees to pay for any direct or indirect
administrative costs associated with its role in this program.
(4) (a) A patient may engage in the medical use of marijuana, with no more marijuana than is medically
necessary to address a debilitating medical condition. A patient's medical use of marijuana, within the following
limits, is lawful:
(I) No more than two ounces of a usable form of marijuana; and
(II) No more than six marijuana plants, with three or fewer being mature, flowering plants that are producing a
usable form of marijuana.

35
(b) For quantities of marijuana in excess of these amounts, a patient or his or her primary care-giver may raise
as an affirmative defense to charges of violation of state law that such greater amounts were medically
necessary to address the patient's debilitating medical condition.
(5) (a) No patient shall:
(I) Engage in the medical use of marijuana in a way that endangers the health or well-being of any person; or
(II) Engage in the medical use of marijuana in plain view of, or in a place open to, the general public.
(b) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, the state health agency shall revoke for a period of one
year the registry identification card of any patient found to have willfully violated the provisions of this section
or the implementing legislation adopted by the general assembly.
(6) Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) (a) and (3) (d) of this section, no patient under eighteen years of age shall
engage in the medical use of marijuana unless:
(a) Two physicians have diagnosed the patient as having a debilitating medical condition;
(b) One of the physicians referred to in paragraph (6) (a) has explained the possible risks and benefits of
medical use of marijuana to the patient and each of the patient's parents residing in Colorado;
(c) The physicians referred to in paragraph (6) (b) has provided the patient with the written documentation,
specified in subparagraph (3) (b) (I);
(d) Each of the patient's parents residing in Colorado consent in writing to the state health agency to permit the
patient to engage in the medical use of marijuana;
(e) A parent residing in Colorado consents in writing to serve as a patient's primary care-giver;
(f) A parent serving as a primary care-giver completes and submits an application for a registry identification
card as provided in subparagraph (3) (b) of this section and the written consents referred to in paragraph (6) (d)
to the state health agency;
(g) The state health agency approves the patient's application and transmits the patient's registry identification
card to the parent designated as a primary care-giver;
(h) The patient and primary care-giver collectively possess amounts of marijuana no greater than those specified
in subparagraph (4) (a) (I) and (II); and
(i) The primary care-giver controls the acquisition of such marijuana and the dosage and frequency of its use by
the patient.
(7) Not later than March 1, 2001, the governor shall designate, by executive order, the state health agency as
defined in paragraph (1) (g) of this section.
(8) Not later than April 30, 2001, the General Assembly shall define such terms and enact such legislation as
may be necessary for implementation of this section, as well as determine and enact criminal penalties for:

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