REFERRED MEASURE 1A(MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES)

Ballot Issue

Actual Wording

“Shall the operation of medical marijuana centers, optional premises cultivation operations, and medical marijuana infused products manufacturer’s licenses, as those terms defined in Section 12-43.3-104, C.R.S. (2010), be prohibited in the unincorporated area of Mesa County, Colorado pursuant to the authority granted by Section 12-43.3-104 (2010)?”

Wording on High School Ballot

“Should medical marijuana centers, optional marijuana growing operations, and marijuana-related products stores be prohibited in unincorporated areas of Mesa County?”

What it Means

If passed, this measure would make medical marijuana dispensaries illegal to operate in unincorporated areas of Mesa County Areas outside city limits

Unincorporated land makes up roughly 75% of the county

Mesa County Land Distribution Map

Issue as it Stands Now

Amendment 20 passed in 2000 Amended the Colorado

Constitution to make medical marijuana dispensaries legal to operate

To purchase marijuana one must possess a legal buyer card provided by a medical professional

Fruita has no dispensaries, Palisade has 1, and Grand Junction has 14 Regulated by Colorado

Department of Health

Illegal to sell to minors without parental consent

House Bill 1284 and Senate Bill 109 provide for regulations of dispensaries

Support

Medicinal marijuana dispensaries are pointless because marijuana is available as Marinol Over the counter drug that is less likely to become

addictive

Can be dispensed through pharmacies

National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine does not recommend marijuana as a sole treatment for any disease

Support (Cont.)

6 of 7 Grand Junction City Council members support Current laws are too vague in regards to regulation

and distribution

Dispensaries are unnecessary Under current Colorado law, people with legitimate cards

from professional could still grow and harvest their own private marijuana

Dispensaries might offer marijuana a way into schools

Opposition

This referendum should not even be on the ballot A single county shouldn’t be able to challenge a

Constitutional amendment

The Colorado Constitution gives us the right to access medical marijuana No law should be able to infringe upon our rights

The licensing fees and tax revenue generated from the facilities will be lost

Opposition (Cont.)

Patients will not have a safe place to obtain medicinal marijuana May result in growth of the unregulated black market

People in the community have testified that medical marijuana from these dispensaries helps their illnesses Lose access to relief for illnesses

Research Done By: Austin Dougless

Haley Hrncir

BE INFORMED, VOTE INFORMED