LAWMAKER: END MEDICAL POT FREE-FOR-ALL

White Plans Regulation Legislation

A Colorado Republican announced on Friday that he is seeking an end
to the medical marijuana free-for-all that he believes is going on in
the state.

Sen. Al White, R-Hayden, signaled that he plans to introduce
legislation that would bring state rules to the currently unregulated
medical marijuana industry in Colorado. White joins the ranks of
Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown and Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver,
in trying to get a hold of what many call an out-of-control medical
marijuana industry.

"What we've effectively got now is de facto decriminalization of
marijuana," White said in a statement. "That is not what the people
of this state voted for."

White's draft proposal would establish a state monopoly to grow and
distribute marijuana. The lawmaker believes doing so would help keep
black market marijuana out of the supply chain.

Additionally, the draft proposal would require any prescription for
the substance to be filled by a licensed pharmacist.

"We don't allow unlicensed people to simply open up a shop and sell
controlled substances like Valium or Oxycontin -- that's why they
call them 'controlled substances,'" said White. "So, why are we
allowing that to happen with medical marijuana?"

Meanwhile, Brian Vicente of the medical marijuana advocacy group
Sensible Colorado pointed out that Amendment 20 -- which voters
passed in 2000, legalizing the herb for select sick patients in
Colorado -- enshrines the right of patients to grow their own
medical marijuana.

"I think it's important for patients to maintain that right so they
don't have to go to the government to get their medicine," he said.
"Some folks end up growing their own because they can't afford
prescription medicine."

Under White's plan, revenue from the sale of marijuana would
initially be split equally between a "rainy day fund" and a special
fund for colleges and universities. After the "rainy day fund"
reached $1 billion, the revenue stream would be directed entirely to
higher education. Colorado is currently facing a budget gap in
excess of $1 billion over the next few years.

"The legislature has an obligation to honor the will of the voters
and make this work," concluded White. "I'm looking forward to working
with my colleagues across party lines next year to make that happen."