Medical marijuana rally: Stepping up on the Capitol steps

Nearly one-hundred medical marijuana demonstrators, smokers, passers-by and media members were at the steps of the Capitol today for a protest against Senate Bill 1284, which was being discussed inside the state house. Before the speakers got going, DJ Freddy, a local DJ with the Hustlin’ Flow Music Group crew,…

Our updated medical-marijuana directory

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for a new “Mile Highs and Lows” review: William Breathes checks out The Green Room, a Boulder dispensary that strikes him as positively spa-like (except with a bud room). In addition, we’ve updated Westword’s dispensary directory, which provides the latest info on businesses near…

Mile Highs and Lows: The Green Room

This dispensary has closed. As Colorado’s medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer’s college dorm room. To help keep them all straight, Westword will be offering a no-holds-barred…

Medical marijuana in Denver: Councilman Chris Nevitt says if advocates ask for more than politicians can give, “they’ll give nothing”

Earlier this week, Colorado Coalition for Patients and Caregivers founder Robert Chase led a protest against the Denver City Council after fewer than half of medical marijuana businesses approved to collect sales taxes applied for official dispensary licenses by March 1. Chase lobbied for the recall of all council members,…

Marijuana schools in Colorado: A guide to higher learning

And to think that your high-school guidance counselor said you’d never make it to college when he caught you smoking pot in the bathroom. These days, Colorado boasts a number of education programs devoted to medical marijuana. Whether you want to learn how to become a state-certified patient, grow your…

Medical marijuana protest against Denver City Council: “Closing half of the businesses in a particular sector is a sweeping action without any justification,” activist says

The deadline has passed for medical marijuana dispensaries to apply for their official licenses in Denver — and only 235 out of more than 500 did so. Update, 3:22 p.m.: The Colorado Coalition for Patients and Caregivers has released a statement about the protest demanding the recall of city council…

Our updated medical-marijuana directory

Today, we double your pleasure when it comes to our “Mile Highs and Lows” features. In addition to our regular Thursday review — Altitude Organic Medicine is analyzed by The Wildflower Seed — we’ve just published an essay by fellow critic William Breathes, during which he confesses that, yes, he…

Mile Highs and Lows: Altitude Organic Medicine

This dispensary has closed. As Colorado’s medical-marijuana industry grows, marijuana dispensaries of all types and sizes are proliferating around the state. Some resemble swanky bars or sterile dentist offices; others feel like a dope dealer’s college dorm room. To help keep them all straight, Westword will be offering a no-holds-barred…

Medical marijuana raids by DEA, “arrest everybody” comments by agent Jeff Sweetin prompt Jared Polis letter to U.S. Attorney General

Last week, we shared with you a letter medical marijuana advocate Rob Corry sent to the U.S. Inspector General regarding the Drug Enforcement Administration raid on Highlands Ranch medical marijuana grower Chris Bartkowicz. Now, someone’s sent another letter — this one addressed to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and copied…

Drug sentencing debate: Time for a gram of sanity?

After years of fizzled efforts, Colorado may be close this year to legislation that could reduce slammer-oriented penalties not only for marijuana possession but small quantities of other drugs. Better yet, as this Denver Post article details, the anticipated savings from the move could fund badly needed rehab programs for…

Medical marijuana raid in Highlands Ranch: Chris Bartkowicz attorney Joseph Saint-Veltri on conflicts between federal, state marijuana law

Many of the attorneys who specialize in medical marijuana issues in Colorado, including Rob Corry, Lauren Davis and Brian Vicente, speak openly about cases while they’re in progress. Joseph Saint-Veltri, lawyer for Chris Bartkowicz, the medical marijuana grower whose Highlands Ranch home was raided by the Drug Enforcement Administration after…

Marijuana advocate Mason Tvert rebuffed: Mayor John Hickenlooper’s office declines to pull Lieutenant Ernie Martinez from pot panel

Last week, we told you how prominent pot advocate Mason Tvert, head of Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER), wanted the mayor-appointed Denver Marijuana Policy Review Panel, on which he sits, to expel one of its members: Lieutenant Ernie Martinez, head of the Colorado Drug Investigators Association (CDIA). Tvert called…