MEDICAL POT SUPPORTERS RALLY AT STATE CAPITOL

DENVER - Acknowledging that they have an image problem, supporters of
medical marijuana held a rally at the Colorado Capitol on Friday to
support better regulation of their industry.

About a dozen people braved subfreezing temperatures on the west steps
of the Capitol to speak on behalf of the Colorado Patients and
Providers Coalition, which says it wants to reassure Coloradans that
the medical marijuana industry is legitimate.

Coalition president Josh Stanley says the industry has a problem
because of a lack of regulation and abuse and the group is working
with state lawmakers on reforms.

"We have to acknowledge we have an image problem. What we're trying to
do is provide a level of legitimacy and we need to weed out those who
are abusing the system," Stanley said.

Stanley said his coalition is working with Colorado state lawmakers to
write regulations that will go before the Legislature next year.

Colorado Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, said he plans to introduce
legislation in January that would require dispensaries to buy
licenses, as well as pay the state's 2.9 percent sales tax.

He said giving the state the ability to regulate the industry will
give dispensaries more legitimacy.

Colorado voters approved medical marijuana in 2000, but the number of
dispensaries took off earlier this year after the Obama administration
signaled it would defer to state laws on marijuana.

State Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, said some dispensaries are little more
than head shops and the industry needs further regulation to ensure
patients get the drugs they need and aren't abusing them.

Erik Santus said he started using marijuana for gout after narcotics
failed to ease his pain. He said better regulation will provide some
assurance that patients don't lose their newly found benefits.

"These are people who want off pills and don't want to hurt their
body," he said.

Rashin D'Angelo, co-owner of the Rocky Mountain Healing Center, said
her business takes referrals from doctors to provide psychotherapy,
chiropractors, acupuncture and other treatment to medical marijuana
patients to help them cope with their medical problems.

She said she doesn't dispense marijuana and it isn't used on the
premises. She said that also will help the industry improve its
reputation and provide more legitimacy.

"We're helping the industry become well-rounded. It helps remove some
of the stigma of medical marijuana. It's just one piece of wellness
health care," she said.