REFERRED MEASURE 1 A (MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES) Ballot Issue
Dec 23, 2015
Actual Wording
“Shall the operation of medical marijuana centers, optional premises cultivation operations, and medical marijuana infused products manufacturer’s licenses, as those terms defined in Section 12-43.3-104, C.R.S. (2010), be prohibited in the unincorporated area of Mesa County, Colorado pursuant to the authority granted by Section 12-43.3-104 (2010)?”
Wording on High School Ballot
“Should medical marijuana centers, optional marijuana growing operations, and marijuana-related products stores be prohibited in unincorporated areas of Mesa County?”
What it Means
If passed, this measure would make medical marijuana dispensaries illegal to operate in unincorporated areas of Mesa County Areas outside city limits
Unincorporated land makes up roughly 75% of the county
Issue as it Stands Now
Amendment 20 passed in 2000 Amended the Colorado
Constitution to make medical marijuana dispensaries legal to operate
To purchase marijuana one must possess a legal buyer card provided by a medical professional
Fruita has no dispensaries, Palisade has 1, and Grand Junction has 14 Regulated by Colorado
Department of Health
Illegal to sell to minors without parental consent
House Bill 1284 and Senate Bill 109 provide for regulations of dispensaries
Support
Medicinal marijuana dispensaries are pointless because marijuana is available as Marinol Over the counter drug that is less likely to become
addictive
Can be dispensed through pharmacies
National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine does not recommend marijuana as a sole treatment for any disease
Support (Cont.)
6 of 7 Grand Junction City Council members support Current laws are too vague in regards to regulation
and distribution
Dispensaries are unnecessary Under current Colorado law, people with legitimate cards
from professional could still grow and harvest their own private marijuana
Dispensaries might offer marijuana a way into schools
Opposition
This referendum should not even be on the ballot A single county shouldn’t be able to challenge a
Constitutional amendment
The Colorado Constitution gives us the right to access medical marijuana No law should be able to infringe upon our rights
The licensing fees and tax revenue generated from the facilities will be lost
Opposition (Cont.)
Patients will not have a safe place to obtain medicinal marijuana May result in growth of the unregulated black market
People in the community have testified that medical marijuana from these dispensaries helps their illnesses Lose access to relief for illnesses