Colorado Republicans Seek to Ban Dispensaries

Colorado Republicans have proposed a voter referendum on whether or not to allow dispensaries in the State.

These Republicans are against HB 1284 because it creates a regulatory framework for the industry, while they want to stamp it out. They claim that dispensaries are not allowed under the Colorado Constitutional amendment that legalized medicinal marijuana.

Proponents of the dispensary model point to the word "dispense" in the amendment's language, to say that dispensaries are constitutionally protected.

Brian Vincente, a prominent medical marijuana activist, is also proposing a voter referendum to expand the dispensary system, in case HB 1284 restricts access to patients too much.