Brian Vicente

More DNC protest arrests, this time on Capitol Hill

Will Monday be judgment day for Colorado's medical marijuana industry?

It's hard to understate the explosive rise of Colorado's medical marijuana industry. When Westword took an in-depth look at issue in the February 2009 article "Medical marijuana Has Become a Growth Industry in Colorado," just over 5,000 patients had been approved by the state to use marijuana -- w ... More >>

Ganjapreneurs are cashing in on Colorado's booming medical pot business

It's hard to understate the explosive rise of Colorado's medical marijuana industry. When Westword took an in-depth look at issue in the February 2009 article "Medical marijuana Has Become a Growth Industry in Colorado," just over 5,000 patients had been approved by the state to use marijuana -- w ... More >>

The new pot biz: Marijuana institutes

Calling Professor Pot!​The explosive growth of Colorado's marijuana dispensary scene is sooo September 2009. The next big thing, it turns out, is marijuana institutes -- organizations designed to help folks makes heads or tails of the heady medical marijuana scene. The development is a no-bra ... More >>

Brian Vicente on fight to void Board of Health's medical-marijuana ruling

Medical-marijuana providers in the state of Colorado are in a state of confusion right now.​Yesterday afternoon, medical-marijuana advocates filed a petition in Denver District Court calling for a Tuesday ruling about the definition of "caregiver" by the state's Board of Health to be voided. S ... More >>

Hearing for motion to void Board of Health's medical-marijuana decision set for tomorrow, November 10

Do medical-marijuana caregivers only have to supply medical marijuana? Or must they do something "more"?​On November 5, medical-marijuana advocates filed a motion to void a state Board of Health ruling striking its previous definition of caregiver. During a subsequent conversation with Westwor ... More >>

Brian Vicente on victory in hearing to void Board of Health's medical-marijuana ruling

Brian Vicente helped make the Board of Health back down, at least temporarily -- and he'll get paid for doing so.​As reported in our live blog about a Denver District Court hearing this morning, Judge Larry Naves ruled in favor of medical-marijuana advocates, who argued against a controversial ... More >>

There ain't no party like a pro-pot party

​What a difference a year makes. Almost exactly twelve months ago, more than a hundred of Colorado's most committed marijuana activists got together for a "Colorado Marijuana Reform Seminar and Activist Boot Camp" at Regis University. They were there to plan an ambitious new political strateg ... More >>

Mason Tvert and Brian Vicente's plan to legalize Colorado pot in 2012

​Mason, left, and Vicente: a match made in pot heaven.​Move over, Cheech and Chong: The two most important people in Colorado's marijuana scene are Brian Vicente and Mason Tvert -- and they're out to prove it by passing a statewide initiative in 2012 that will legalize marijuana for all ... More >>

Medical marijuana players prepare to (figuratively) storm the Capitol

Brian Vicente.​If Colorado dispensaries seem a little empty tomorrow, that's because anyone who's anyone in the business will likely be at the University of Denver, where Sensible Colorado, a drug-reform advocacy group, will be holding a stakeholder's meeting from 1 to 4 p.m. at DU's Student F ... More >>

Brian Vicente: Severe medical marijuana restrictions "will not be met kindly by the public"

Brian Vicente​Brian Vicente, executive director of Sensible Colorado and co-chair of a new organization called Sensible Patient and Provider Coalition, is understandably pleased by the results of a new ABC/Washington Post poll showing that 81 percent of respondents supported legalizing marijua ... More >>

Brian Vicente, Sensible Colorado plan to put medical marijuana dispensary initiative on the 2010 ballot

Brian Vicente isn't waiting around to see what Rep. Massey's bill has to offer.​Representative Tom Massey's bill to regulate the medical marijuana industry -- previewed in this blog based on comments from a knowledgeable source and a second item containing insight from advocate Matt Brown -- h ... More >>

Brian Vicente on new medical marijuana bill: If legislators don't take patient access into account, "the people will hold them responsible"

Brian Vicente sees some pros among the cons of the new medical marijuana bill.​Yesterday, we offered a sneak preview of a medical marijuana ballot initiative assembled by the advocacy group Sensible Colorado. That amendment will be formally made public by Sensible Colorado executive director B ... More >>

Marijuana legalization: Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente wants to put it on state ballot in 2012

Brian Vicente thinks the time will be right in two years for statewide marijuana legalization.​In today's Denver Post, columnist David Harsanyi argues that the debate over medical marijuana is dishonest in part because advocates actually want legalization -- a goal that might be hurt by the pa ... More >>

Medical marijuana advocate Brian Vicente, organizer of DEA protest: Obama needs to "call off the dogs"

Brian Vicente doesn't buy the U.S. Attorney's argument.​Today, President Barack Obama is coming to Denver to raise funds for Senator Michael Bennet -- a display of favoritism in the primary that frustrates longtime Obama fan Polly Baca. But his appearance is welcomed by Sensible Colorado's Br ... More >>

Medical marijuana bill: Brian Vicente says, "We're definitely feeling more positive"

Brian Vicente is still keeping his initiative options open.​As of two days ago, the latest version of HB 1284, the bill to regulate the medical marijuana industry, looked something like this. But yesterday's hearing before the House judiciary committee resulted in a number of significant chang ... More >>

Medical marijuana bill: Brian Vicente ready with ballot measure if final results suck

Brian Vicente isn't thrilled by the current direction of HB 1284.​Today at 2 p.m., the public will be able to comment as House Bill 1284 reaches a senate committee. It's sure to be a contentious session, since even pro-regulation advocates like Matt Brown see the latest version of the measure ... More >>

Medical marijuana hearing sets up fight on the senate floor

Matt Brown sees more weed battles looming.​Yesterday morning, we previewed a senate committee hearing on House Bill 1284, which is intended to regulate the medical marijuana industry, with Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente maintaining that he's ready to push a ballot initiative if the final re ... More >>

Brian Vicente considers legalizing pot on the November ballot

Brian Vicente's got November on his mind.​To legalize or not to legalize? That could be a question for the November ballot. Last week, as thousands hazed up Civic Center in celebration of 4/20 and, just across the way, legislators inched closer to passing the country's first state marijuana di ... More >>

Brian Vicente on law enforcement's medical marijuana "desperation"

Brian Vicente has been watching legislative sausage get made.​An attempt to kill HB 1284, the medical marijuana regulatory bill, fell short yesterday -- and that's fine by Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente, a prominent MMJ advocate. "I think we're seeing desperation on the side of law enforce ... More >>

Medical marijuana bills are flawed landmarks, says MMJ advocate Brian Vicente

Brian Vicente sees pros and cons in both MMJ bills.​Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente wound up working the early shift today. Before 7 a.m., he'd appeared on Channel 4's morning news program to talk about yesterday's passage of HB 1284, a bill designed to regulate the state's medical marijuana ... More >>

Medical marijuana: What the new laws could mean for you

Brian Vicente is trying to figure everything out, too.​Colorado rolled into the history books last week as the first place to codify a statewide marijuana distribution system, thanks to the passage of House Bill 1284 and Senate Bill 109. Both laws will take Colorado's convoluted and confusing ... More >>

Medical marijuana laws will kill 40 percent of dispensaries, Brian Vicente predicts

Brian Vicente.​Yesterday, with as little fanfare as possible, Governor Bill Ritter signed two bills, HB 1284 and SB 109, designed to regulate Colorado's medical marijuana industry. MMJ advocates like Matt Brown hail the legislation. But Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente sees them as flawed l ... More >>

Medical marijuana sting: Brian Vicente criticizes Aurora PD for targeting doctor

Brian Vicente.​Aurora police chief Dan Oates defends a sting operation that led to the arrest of a doctor accused of writing medical marijuana recommendations without examinations. But Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente, who's criticized law enforcement's approach to medical marijuana in the p ... More >>

Medical marijuana petition forces Broomfield council dispensary ban onto November ballot

Brian Vicente.​The Broomfield City Council recently voted to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in the community rather than place the issue on November's ballot. That didn't sit well with MMJ advocates in the area, who launched a petition drive earlier this month. The goal: collect 1,300 sign ... More >>

Medical marijuana nixed for Tourette's in CO: "The system has failed," Brian Vicente says

Brian Vicente.​Yesterday, Colorado's board of health considered and then rejected the prospect of formally adding Tourette Syndrome as a condition that can be treated by medical marijuana in this state. It's a decision that incenses Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente, who earlier petitioned the ... More >>

Marijuana-use spike in survey on national drug use proves time to legalize is now, advocate says

​This week, news that a national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) showed illegal drug use among Americans twelve and older is climbing, with much of the increase due to marijuana, made headlines nationwide. But Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente s ... More >>

Chris Bartkowicz: Marijuana community to rally at courthouse for grower facing 60 years in jail

Chris Bartkowicz.​As we noted in a September 10 post, the February arrest of Highlands Ranch marijuana grower Chris Bartkowicz, as well as his subsequent indictment, has been a rallying point for local medical-marijuana activists. That will literally be true tomorrow, when members of major MMJ ... More >>

Medical marijuana's rejection by health dept. for PTSD treatment could lead to lawsuit for hearing

Brian Vicente.​Members of Colorado's health department held a hearing before deciding not to make Tourette's Syndrome a condition approved for medical marijuana treatment. But that wasn't the case with a petition involving post-traumatic stress disorder -- and Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Will Kevin Grimsinger's false stories hurt MMJ campaign for PTSD?

Kevin Grimsinger.​Last week, Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente decried the health department's rejection of a petition to add post traumatic stress order to conditions that can be treated by medical marijuana. Along the way, he specifically cited Kevin Grimsinger, a veteran who'd become the po ... More >>

Medical marijuana dispensary bans pass in Aurora, Dougco: Fuel for legalization fight?

Brian Vicente.​Update: The Sensible Colorado staff has been hard at work trying to determine if any of the community or county attempts to ban medical marijuana dispensaries were unsuccessful -- and they've found seven bright spots amid the disappointments in places like Aurora and Douglas Cou ... More >>

Marijuana statements show AG John Suthers needs to get a life, says advocate Brian Vicente

Brian Vicente.​In touting the break-up of an alleged drug ring said to be using medical marijuana as cover, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers suggested a link between the MMJ biz and illegal dealing. Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente sees this statement and others as evidence Suthers is ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Brian Vicente on Wyoming ruling against MMJ patient, crime stats story

Brian Vicente.​Medical marijuana has been enshrined in the Colorado constitution since 2000, with a new MMJ regulatory law signed into law this past June and more medical marijuana legislation in the pipeline. But that's not the case in other states, as the Wyoming Supreme Court recently remin ... More >>

Medical marijuana advisory committee shuts down, health dept. rejects caregiver definition

Brian Vicente.​In February, a meeting of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's medical marijuana advisory committee resulted in a definition of caregivers that cheered committee member Jill Lamoureux, who called it "movement forward for patient and caregiver rights." Now, ... More >>

Medical marijuana letter from U.S. Attorney early attack on 2012 pot legalization campaign?

Brian Vicente.​Medical marijuana advocates have been debating the intent of U.S. Attorney John Walsh's letter attacking portions of HB 1043, a bill intended to tweak MMJ regs that became law last year. Among the theories: The letter is a warning shot in what will be a full-scale federal effort ... More >>

Marijuana legalization: Read eight initiatives filed for 2012 Colorado ballot consideration

Brian Vicente.​Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente has been talking about a 2012 ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for adult use here since at least this November 2009 post. But his effort to accomplish this feat is one step closer to reality now that he's submitted eight variations on a ... More >>

Marijuana legalization: Laura Kriho accuses Brian Vicente ballot group of ignoring grassroots

Laura Kriho.​Not every marijuana activist was thrilled by news that Brian Vicente has filed eight pot-legalization initiatives with the state. Indeed, Cannabis Therapy Institute's Laura Kriho, one of the main figures behind the separate Legalization2012.com group, is unhappy with what she see ... More >>

Marijuana legalization: Brian Vicente mending fences with locals over 2012 initiatives filing

Brian Vicente.​Last week, a group led by Mason Tvert and Brian Vicente filed eight initiatives to legalize marijuana in 2012 in what Cannabis Therapy Institute's Laura Kriho saw as a unilateral move that short-circuited input from grassroots locals. Rather than further fueling this spat, Vice ... More >>

Marijuana legalization ballot measures language not likely to change much

​Today, eight proposed 2012 marijuana legalization ballot measures were considered by the Colorado Office of Legislative and Legal Services. However, few changes were made and little was said by the initiatives' backers.

Medical marijuana: Could the Justice Department arrest state MMJ employees?

Eric Holder.​Ever since U.S. Attorney John Walsh sent a letter suggesting that parts of HB 1043, the medical marijuana cleanup bill, would likely violate U.S. law, the local MMJ community has feared a federal crackdown on the industry -- and perhaps even on state employees regulating it. Do co ... More >>

Marijuana legalization debate preview: Meet the advocates who'll be hashing it out

Free me.​It's fitting that Wednesday night's debate between Colorado cannabis activists has been dubbed "Round One." The event is being advertised as a "lively and friendly" debate -- but if it's as impassioned and fiery as the comments on our marijuana blogs have been, it might be closer to ... More >>

Proponents of marijuana legalization know that where there's smoke, there's ire

Free me.​It's fitting that Wednesday night's debate between Colorado cannabis activists has been dubbed "Round One." The event is being advertised as a "lively and friendly" debate -- but if it's as impassioned and fiery as the comments on our marijuana blogs have been, it might be closer to ... More >>

Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act targeted by Douglas Bruce over prominence of word "TAX"

Brian Vicente.​The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 continues to be a target more than a year before the November 2012 election for which it's aiming. First, rival organization Legalize2012 objected to any association with the terms "legalization" and "similar to alcohol." Now, prop ... More >>

Despite challenge, Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 keeps its name (for now)

Doug Bruce​As we mentioned earlier this week, Colorado Springs conservative Douglas Bruce had petitioned the Colorado Title Board to change the title of the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act of 2012 to include TABOR-related tax language. The hearing on that challenge was yesterday morning, b ... More >>

Medical marijuana state employees won't face fed prosecution: What's it mean for Colorado?

Jan Brewer.​As reported by our Toke of the Town blog, the Department of Justice's response to a lawsuit by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer directly contradicted an assertion by Colorado Attorney General John Suthers that state employees might be prosecuted for enforcing state medical marijuana law ... More >>

Marijuana PTSD study roadblock example of feds' schizophrenia, says Brian Vicente

​Last year, Colorado's health department refused to approve medical marijuana for treating post-traumatic stress disorder -- but one branch of the federal government appeared ready to test pot's PTSD effectiveness. Now, however, the plan's on hold, much to the chagrin of Brian Vicente, who's l ... More >>

Medical Marijuana Industry Group decries feds' Cali crackdown, touts Colorado regs (VIDEO)

​Update: Yesterday, we reported that landlords of property used by medical marijuana operations in California had received letters from a U.S. Attorney threatening asset seizure, because pot is against federal law. Now, Denver's Medical Marijuana Industry Group is decrying the tactic even as i ... More >>

Medical marijuana crackdown in California illegal because it's not happening in Colorado?

​Yesterday, attorneys in California asked a court to issue a temporary restraining order to stop federal raids on pot dispensaries there. This request makes a slew of legal arguments, one of which pivots on the lack of such federal actions in Colorado -- at least thus far. But as sympathetic ... More >>

Marijuana: Pot will be rescheduled if Obama or Ron Paul win, advocate says

​Last week, the Department of Revenue sent a letter formally petitioning the federal government to reschedule marijuana; read it below. Sensible Colorado's Brian Vicente sees the move as a sign of the times, and predicts such rescheduling will happen within five years -- if Barack Obama or Ron ... More >>

Drug task force commander out of touch on marijuana regulation, activist says

​The Operation Sweet Leaf raids of 25 home grows were more than justified according to North Metro Drug Task Force Commander Jerry Peters. But in addition to talking with us about the busts, Peters also said that allowing adult recreational use of marijuana would constitute a tragic error -- a ... More >>