Colorado is right to question excessive medical marijuana plant counts
It would be impossible to argue these days in Colorado that patients who use medical marijuana arent getting a pretty good deal.
As in the earliest days of legalization, most Coloradans are comfortable giving patients or their caregivers the right to grow several plants. For years now, dispensaries catering to patients have been plentiful, as area variety of products intended to address particular ailments and issues. And the state doesnt collect a sin tax on medical marijuana patients.
So it strikes us as unreasonable and irresponsible to believe that a single patient would need access to 75 cannabis plants ormore at any one time.
No wonder, then, the state Medical Board last week took action against four doctorswho officials say recommended grows ofat least75 plants to more than 1,500 patients. As The Denver Posts John Ingold reports, its the first time the board has taken action against doctors for allegedly over-recommending grows of this size, though we wonder why.
Yes, the state acted too hastily in suspending the doctors without due process. A judge on Friday temporarily blocked the suspensions of the doctors licenses. Denver District Court Judge Ross Buchanan wisely noted that if the punishments are the first of their kind, the doctors in question should have had time to defend themselves against the claims.
But to the larger point: Why so much weed? Some patients and their advocates argue that using marijuana over time leads to greater tolerance levels, and some kinds of delivery systems for THC and cannabinoids like edibles, oils and concentrates require far more of the devils lettuceto make than what you would roll up in a joint or pack in a pipeor vaporizer.
Marijuana harvests are conducted every three to four months, depending on the strain, and industry experts peg the retail value of a single plant at about $1,000. We might not be medical professionals, but we find it unimaginable that a single patient could have such a tolerance or such complicated cooking processes to necessitate the retail equivalent of $225,000 to $300,000 worth of dope a year.
Wed also be dopes to believe that no one with that amount of marijuana would ever be tempted to engage in black-market or underground sales.
The apparent abuse might not appear great as a percentage ...
