PULLING FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA OUTLET

If area resident Joey Jones plays by the rules when he launches his
business next month, it stands to reason he can set a good and noble
example. If he doesn't, then the skeptics will seize the moment.

Jones plans to open the Roaring Fork Valley's first medical marijuana
dispensary in Carbondale. A medical marijuana patient himself, Jones
announced Monday that he will run an outlet for the Colorado Mountain
Dispensary near Highway 133 in Carbondale.

Jones can do this because of Amendment 20, which voters passed in 2000
and allows people to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. Individuals
can posses up 2 ounces, which can be smoked or eaten in various forms.

There's certainly a demand for medicinal marijuana in the valley:
Through May 31 there were 71 people in Garfield County with medical
marijuana permits, 32 in Pitkin County and 66 in Eagle County.

Jones said he believes that if his dispensary is successful, then
others will open locally. He has also vowed to operate a clean
operation and play by the rules.

"We're not trying to go around and get people to smoke pot," he said
Monday. "Part of our mission is to educate people that this is a much
healthier and safer alternative to prescription pain
medication."

We hope Jones is being sincere. That's because skeptics of medicinal
marijuana have long argued that this is just a movement to eventually
legalize the plant. There obviously is some truth to that, but at the
same time marijuana has proven to be very effective when it comes to
boosting appetites among the ailing, and easing the pain for those who
are suffering.

By running a tight ship and following the rules, Jones will be able to
keep the skeptics at bay, while providing a service for some people
who are suffering.