Pot proposal HB 1284 passes the Senate

"What a long, strange trip it's been," state senator Chris Romer said earlier this week, as he contemplated the full Senate hearing of House Bill 1284, which will formalize the medical marijuana dispensary system in this state. And after a few detours to add more amendments, the long, strange trip...

By Patricia Calhoun

May 6, 2010

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"What a long, strange trip it's been," state senator Chris Romer said earlier this week, as he contemplated the full Senate hearing of House Bill 1284, which will formalize the medical marijuana dispensary system in this state.

And after a few detours to add more amendments, the long, strange trip has reached something of a destination: The Senate just passed the bill -- but not before a few lawmakers continued to carp about its flaws.

The best line, though, came from Republican Nancy Spence, who co-sponsored the measure with Romer. "I asked about my role," she said, and Romer told her, "If the drug cartel takes me out, will you still be there to carry the bill to its third reading?"

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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