Warren Edson

Medical marijuana has become a growth industry in Colorado

The Bong Goodbye

He was the law in these parts, but now Alamosa's former DA may be one toke over the line.

Dude, there's my pot! Boulder police set to return stolen weed to dispensary

New Options Wellness Clinic, a Boulder marijuana dispensary, had a real buzzkill last week when a group of robbers held up the operation and made off with two large tubs of marijuana. Things are looking up this week, however. Not only have the police identified four suspects in connection with the ... More >>

Live blog: The Colorado Health Department's medical marijuana hearing

The Latest Word is at a Colorado Board of Health's hearing, where the board will consider new medical marijuana regulations that some believe will jeopardize the newly booming industry, as Joel Warner reported last week ("Will Monday be judgment day for Colorado's medical marijuana industry?"). We'l ... More >>

The Beauvallon is bitter grounds for Aviano Coffee

The Latest Word is at a Colorado Board of Health's hearing, where the board will consider new medical marijuana regulations that some believe will jeopardize the newly booming industry, as Joel Warner reported last week ("Will Monday be judgment day for Colorado's medical marijuana industry?"). We'l ... More >>

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

The Latest Word is at a Colorado Board of Health's hearing, where the board will consider new medical marijuana regulations that some believe will jeopardize the newly booming industry, as Joel Warner reported last week ("Will Monday be judgment day for Colorado's medical marijuana industry?"). We'l ... 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 >>

Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation plans to lobby lawmakers like the big boys

Medical marijuana is a growth industry from a lobbying perspective, too.​Earlier this week, we told you about a sophisticated pro-medical marijuana poll conducted by a new organization, Coloradans for Medical Marijuana Regulation. The survey's professionalism was no fluke. CMMR may be in its ... More >>

Medical marijuana attorney Warren Edson on new law firm, new MMJ bill and new lawsuits to come

Warren Edson's booming business is about to boom even louder.​Attorney Warren Edson was practicing medical marijuana-related law before doing so was cool. And now, with the industry growing in Colorado like never before, he's expanding his operations by merging his practice with Kumin Sommers ... More >>

CannaMed — Colorado's largest medical pot evaluation company — faces scrutiny for selling patient information

Warren Edson's booming business is about to boom even louder.​Attorney Warren Edson was practicing medical marijuana-related law before doing so was cool. And now, with the industry growing in Colorado like never before, he's expanding his operations by merging his practice with Kumin Sommers ... More >>

Jack Herer RIP: A tribute to the marijuana-legalization icon by one of last writers to interview him

Photo by Gregory DaurerJack Herer during a visit to Lakewood in 1991.​Latecomers to the marijuana-legalization movement may never have heard of Jack Herer, who died yesterday at age seventy. But veterans of the cause cite his 1985 book The Emperor Wears No Clothes as the manifesto that launche ... More >>

Three years after his murder, memories of Ken Gorman -- Colorado's most vocal pot activist -- have gone up in smoke

Photo by Gregory DaurerJack Herer during a visit to Lakewood in 1991.​Latecomers to the marijuana-legalization movement may never have heard of Jack Herer, who died yesterday at age seventy. But veterans of the cause cite his 1985 book The Emperor Wears No Clothes as the manifesto that launche ... More >>

Medical marijuana lawyers would love Stan Garnett to beat Attorney General John Suthers

Stan Garnett.​Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett once said he wanted to be the state's most progressive DA when it comes to medical marijuana. In contrast, Attorney General John Suthers thinks MMJ dispensaries suck. It's no surprise, then, that lawyers/medical marijuana advocates Rob Corry ... More >>

KushConII to take medical marijuana seriously, says MMJ user/cancer patient Cheryl Shuman

Cheryl Shuman.​KushConII, December 17-19 at the Colorado Convention Center, has made news over its RTD bus ads, which have drawn protests from law-enforcement. But Cheryl Shuman, the event's international director of PR and media, would rather focus on the event itself, which she says takes me ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Would 137 of 150 grows close by July 1 under new Denver proposal?

​Since last year, we've been reporting about various Denver City Council proposals to update zoning rules for medical marijuana grows, with attorney Christian Sederberg warning weeks ago about huge repercussions if there's no MMJ grandfathering. Now, lawyer Warren Edson says more than 90 perce ... More >>

Denver City Council committee moves forward with medical marijuana zoning proposal

​A revised version of a proposed Denver city ordinance that, according to attorney Warren Edson, would have closed 137 of Denver's 150 medical marijuana grow operations, and potentially dispensaries associated with them, passed through Denver City Council's Special Issues Committee this aftern ... More >>

Medical marijuana: City council compromise could still close most grows, attorney says

​A medical-marijuana-grows compromise proposal passed through Denver City Council's special issues committee yesterday, with public input on the measure slated for February 14. At this point, however, attorney Warren Edson is uncertain if the tweaked proposal might still doom as many as 90 per ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Lawsuits likely if new Denver regs shut down grows, attorney says

​Could a compromise agreement about medical marijuana grows that passed through the Denver City Council's special issues committee this week still close a huge number of MMJ operations? Looks that way, says attorney Christian Sederberg -- and if the measure is enacted as presently written, he' ... More >>

Medical marijuana code proposed by Denver City Council contradictory?: Read bill here

​Last month, attorney Warren Edson shared his concern that language in a Denver City Council bill could close 137 of 150 medical marijuana grows -- and even after a committee came up with a compromise agreement, he feared the closure threat had not been eliminated. Now that the document has be ... More >>

Medical marijuana: More than 52 grows could still be at risk from city council, attorney says

​Yesterday, the Denver City Council attempted to tackle medical marijuana regulations that MMJ attorney Warren Edson initially feared could close 137 of 150 MMJ grows in the city. The current measure, which will be voted upon by council a week from today, is no longer so draconian. But Edson s ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Council's new grow rules will push ops out of Denver, attorney predicts

​Despite a threatened lawsuit aimed at councilwoman Judy Montero and developer Mickey Zeppelin, the Denver City Council approved new medical marijuana grow operation regulations last night with no changes. But MMJ attorney Warren Edson predicts that the bill on view below will backfire, with b ... More >>

Medical marijuana: HB 1250 edibles bill hearing stars Cap'n Chronic, Pot Tarts (PHOTOS)

Pot Tarts.​In a Monday interview about HB 1250, co-sponsoring Representative Cindy Acree said the bill would outlaw the medical marijuana edibles business. But between her Westword interview and yesterday's hearing, the focus switched from a total ban to marketing and labeling -- and according ... More >>

High Times Medical Cannabis Cup in Denver: Editor Dan Skye's preview (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Photos below.​The High Times Medical Cannabis Cup is coming to Denver on April 2 and 3 at the Exdo Event Center. It's just the second such event the pot-smoker's favorite mag has sponsored in America -- and according to executive editor Dan Skye, heading to Denver following last year's visit t ... More >>

Medical marijuana final rules published: Big Brother video regs improved, says attorney

​At 6 a.m., the Department of Revenue published the final version of the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division's rules. The document is 77 pages long, and attorney Warren Edson hasn't had time to study them at length. However, a number of elements jump out at him -- particularly the eliminati ... More >>

Pot schools close: Is CO's medical marijuana education industry suffering a brain drain?

​Last year, one of the many new enterprises to spring up from the medical marijuana deluge were pot classes. So-called institutes, colleges and universities opened their doors to help newbies understand complicated marijuana regulations, open their own MMJ businesses and learn how to properly ... More >>

It smells good in here: High Times Medical Cannabis Cup this weekend

​This will be a weekend to remember, though I doubt I'll remember much of it. The High Times Medical Cannabis Cup is at the Exdo Event Center this weekend. If you have trouble finding it, look for the rising cloud of deliciously fragrant smoke northeast of downtown.

High Times Cannabis Cup report: Pot critic William Breathes catches the buzz (PHOTOS)

Big pics below. See more photos.​Colorado cannabis is better than anything Amsterdam's got, and the medicine here is on par with, if not better than, what is coming out of California. While we already knew that here in Colorado, it was still cool to hear those words come out of High Times edi ... More >>

Carla Madison's death leaves a big Denver City Council opening & questions about write-in stuff

​At their meeting last night, Denver City Council members wore orange in honor of their colleague, Carla Madison, who died last week. But Madison was not just in their hearts and thoughts: She was on the agenda, because people are lining up to run for her seat -- even as soon-to-be City Attorn ... More >>

Warren Edson, District 8 candidate, says he's 1st politician born of medical marijuana movement

Warren Edson.​The list of candidates hoping to win the District 8 City Council seat that opened up due to councilwoman Carla Madison's death is a long one -- more than twenty to date. Among the more noteworthy? Warren Edson, who's best known for his advocacy of medical marijuana. Although he s ... More >>

Paul Noel Fiorino drops out of mayor's race to run for District 8 city council seat

Big pic below.​Paul Noel Fiorino's run for Denver mayor was bumpy, with so many signatures disallowed that he failed to make the ballot. He announced that he'd carry on as a write-in candidate -- but now he's dropped that plan to join the 39 hopefuls for the late Carla Madison's District 8 cit ... More >>

Medical marijuana license application process begins tomorrow: How does it work?

Warren Edson.​In March, the Department of Revenue's Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division published its final rules. Now, one important requirement is about to be made flesh. Beginning tomorrow, employees can begin applying for licenses to work at MMJ centers and other businesses (see the for ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Could loophole in new law give Big Pharma foothold in Colorado MMJ biz?

​Large pharmaceutical companies could potentially make billions if marijuana is legalized in the United States. But could Big Pharma enjoy a windfall in Colorado right now? A clause of HB 1043, the MMJ cleanup bill signed by Governor John Hickenlooper last week, contains a potential loophole a ... More >>

Medical marijuana: State fees for MMJ business licensing too high, says attorney Warren Edson

​Attorney Warren Edson didn't see anything too strange about the state fees for medical marijuana employee licensing when the Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division announced them in March. He noted then that they were equal-to, if not less-than, similar costs in the gaming industry. But he sa ... More >>

Marijuana: DEA proposal, new Colorado law could lead to Big Pharma boom, attorney says

​Last month, we told you about a loophole in HB 1043, the medical marijuana cleanup bill, that could let Big Pharma firms get involved in the Colorado MMJ industry. Now, the Drug Enforcement Administration has made a new proposal involving marijuana extracts, and attorney Warren Edson sees it ... More >>

Cannabis University not higher education, according to state

​As noted in our Toke of the Town newsletter, Cannabis University's Michelle LaMay received a Department of Higher Education letter saying her school might qualify for vocational school regulations. But LaMay insisted her classes don't require any regulation by the state, noting her instructio ... More >>

Marijuana: No punishment for possession under Michelle LaMay's new ballot proposal

​Earlier this week, Cannabis University owner Michelle LaMay filed language with the state title review board that would eliminate all punishment for cannabis possession in Colorado. The introduction of her bill marks the second ballot initiative aimed at lessening marijuana punishments in the ... More >>

Reader: Colorado's current stance on dispensaries sucks donkey balls

​While Michael Roberts takes a break, William Breathes will be in the house, ready to answer your questions. And just in time, because all the new regulations that are taking effect this month have people plenty confused -- and many patients very mad. Consider this from a patient inspired to w ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Patients who only need caretaker for pot can't have one, new rules say

​The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's new rules about the "Medical Use of Marijuana" went into effect on July 31 and have caused few gripes thus far. But attorney Warren Edson sees several problems with the regs on view below, including contradictions with HB 1043, the so ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Run on Grass promotes pot as an athletic performance enhancer

Georgia Edson.​"Most people think someone who wants to end marijuana prohibition sits on the couch eating Cheetos and watching bad TV all day -- someone who isn't necessarily a motivated person," says Georgia Edson. "And that's so untrue." This message helps power Run on Grass, Edson's new or ... More >>

Medical marijuana banking and Sen. Pat Steadman on menu for MMAPA breakfast

Pat Steadman.​Love some wake-and-bake continental breakfast with a little marijuana politics on a Saturday morning? You're in luck. Senator Pat Steadman will be speaking tomorrow at the new offices of the Medical Marijuana Assistance Program of America (MMAPA) for the nonprofit's open-house b ... More >>

High Times Cannabis Cup: Colorado companies win big in Amsterdam

The cup.​The number one spots in the 2011 High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam last week for Best Seed Company indica, hybrid and sativa were all taken by Colorado-based companies. Even in Amsterdam, long known as the Mecca for cannabis cultivation and use, Colorado herb comes out on top.

Warren Edson on High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, 2012 Denver cup (VIDEO)

Warren Edson​For 24 years, counterculture magazine High Times has put on the Cannabis Cup in marijuana-tolerant Amsterdam to award the best in an admittedly underground community. A lot of Colorado folks made the trek this year, some even taking home awards. Local marijuana attorney Warren Ed ... More >>

Medical marijuana: Physician assistants the cause of delayed applications?

​The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced last week that as many as 4,000 medical marijuana patient applications and renewals were being held up in order "to ensure patients and physicians are within guidelines." Despite the CDPHE's vagueness, we've learned that many ... More >>

Marijuana attorney says dispensaries near schools could survive scrutiny from feds

​Although no letters have been sent by the US Attorney's Office, the rumor that the feds are going to be shutting down dispensaries in violation of the Drug Free School Zone laws has been enough to create a paranoid buzz in the medical marijuana community. But while it's anybody's guess as to ... More >>

Medical marijuana: 4,200 patients seen by physician assistants being denied and rejected

​The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has finally started denying and rejecting the 4,200 medical marijuana patients who were evaluated by a physician assistants and have been waiting for as long as four months for an answer. And as if the delay so far wasn't bad enough, m ... More >>

Denver marijuana centers targeted by U.S. Attorney can move, but to where?

​Letters from U.S. Attorney John Walsh tell owners of 23 medical marijuana centers that they must stop doing business within 45 days at their present location. MMJ lawyer Warren Edson says shops targeted in Denver will be able to move, but strict federal rules governing distances from schools ... More >>

Medical marijuana centers react differently to U.S. Attorney shut-down orders

​Letters from the U.S. Attorneys Office telling medical marijuana centers they have 45 days to shut down or face prosecution went out yesterday. Some shops are already receiving their ultimatums in the mail.

Medical marijuana seizure letters intrusion on state law, senator says

​National Cannabis Industry Association exec Aaron Smith predicted that officials would speak out against seizure letters sent to 23 medical marijuana dispensaries within 1,000 of schools by U.S. Attorney John Walsh -- and now, one is doing so. Senator Pat Steadman, who's behind an MMJ financ ... More >>

Medical marijuana v. recreational use: NORML controversy, Colorado connection

Allen St. Pierre.​The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is the country's most powerful cannabis advocacy organization, and it's long had a close link to Colorado, which hosted its 40th anniversary conference last year. But relations between NORML and Colorado's med ... More >>

Medical marijuana patients who share a joint are breaking the law -- really

​For some MMJ patients, medicating with others is a chance to hang out and talk about what ails them with people going through similar problems. For others, it's a way to explore new strains they might not have tried on their own. But while this kind of socializing/sharing among patients is ve ... More >>