Medical marijuana rulemaking meeting room too small to fit all the people wanting to attend?

Now there are gripes from the likes of Cannabis Therapy Institute that the meeting space is too small for everyone who wants to attend the next session tomorrow.

A reminder of my own: As I mentioned last meeting, I still have space available -- at zero cost to the State -- that will accommodate more members of the public than the conference room at 1881 Pierce. Please advise if you'd like to take advantage of my offer, which is made in the spirit of continuing to be a team player.

That was followed by a CTI release about the meeting that featured this lengthy aside:

This is a very small room with limited seating capacity. The first workgroup meeting was attended by over 100 spectators, with many spilling into the hallway. Despite many complaints from the public, the Department of Revenue has refused to secure a larger venue for these meetings. The DOR received over $10 million in application fees from the medical marijuana community in July and August, so they certainly have the funds to rent a larger room. Since so many of our community are disabled, the lack of effort to accommodate patients by the Department of Revenue is especially appalling.

The release goes on to suggest that folks interested in attending show up early -- but how early? Cook's note to board members said the meeting will take place at 9 a.m. tomorrow, but the DOR's website says 9:30 a.m. Oh, the suspense.

Page down to see more photos from the first working group meeting, courtesy of CTI, as well as the latest release:

Cannabis Therapy Institute release:

Department of Revenue Rulemaking Meeting

The Department of Revenue is holding their second rulemaking "workgroup" meeting on Thursday morning at the Department of Revenue. According to the Department of Revenue, "Workgroup members will engage in a discussion concerning draft rules pertaining to HB 10-1284. The public is invited to attend and observe the discussion of the workgroup. There will not be an opportunity for non-workgroup members to participate in this meeting."

DATE: Thurs., September 16, 2010

TIME: 9:00 or 9:30am (??)

According to the DOR website, the meeting starts at 9:30am, but according to an email sent by Matt Cook to his hand-selected advisory panel, the meeting starts at 9:00am

LOCATION:

Department of Revenue Gaming Conference Room 1881 Pierce Street Lakewood, CO 80214

Note: This is a very small room with limited seating capacity. The first workgroup meeting was attended by over 100 spectators, with many spilling into the hallway. Despite many complaints from the public, the Department of Revenue has refused to secure a larger venue for these meetings. The DOR received over $10 million in application fees from the medical marijuana community in July and August, so they certainly have the funds to rent a larger room. Since so many of our community are disabled, the lack of effort to accommodate patients by the Department of Revenue is especially appalling.

Please arrive early if you want a seat. It would be safest to assume the meeting starts at 9am.

BACKGROUND

At the first Workgroup Meeting on 8/27, the DOR revealed plans for a large patient database and surveillance system, designed to track and record every patient's purchase. This system will be shared with at least 5 other government agencies. This plan is not in the draft rules they published, but was only announced verbally at the last meeting.

Click here to watch a video of Matt Cook, head of the new Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division of the Department of Revenue, describing the system: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIHwxj_sD1s

DRAFT RULES

Click here to read the draft rules (PDF file)

COMMENTS

Email all comments on the draft rules or public process to Matt Cook, head of the new Medical Marijuana Enforcement Division of the Department of Revenue.

Email: [email protected]

Please send any correspondence to: [email protected]

Go to the Department of Revenue's website for more info.