cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Registry Attracts Applicants Medical Marijuana Registry Attracts Applicants Posted by CN Staff on March 24, 2003 at 07:42:16 PT By Amy Fletcher Source: Denver Business Journal More than two years ago Colorado voters approved the medical use of marijuana, and while the state registry continues to grow, the number of card-carrying individuals has hit only 211. This month the registry's administrator, Gail Kelsey, will report the following to the Colorado Board of Health: 250 new and 81 renewal applications have been received; three have been denied. The average age is 45, and patients range in age from 20 to 93 years old. 36 percent of patients reside in the Denver metro and Boulder areas. With 19 percent of the total, El Paso County has the most participants. About 160 Colorado doctors have signed the required physician certification form. "Definitely the program is running as intended. We implemented it exactly as it was written in the amendment," Kelsey said. "It's been pretty smooth. There hasn't been any cases of fraud or anything." In the November 2000 general election, Coloradans passed Amendment 20, which made it legal for people on the registry to possess as much as two ounces of marijuana or six plants. The amendment did not set up a legal way for obtaining the drug, and doctors and patients have been reluctant to participate due to the inconsistencies between state and federal marijuana laws. "It does still remain illegal federally," said Kelsey, adding that there have not been any marijuana-related convictions of patients on the registry. "Those are really small amounts. I don't think it's something (federal law enforcement) would target." Another barrier to participating may be the cost. No general funds have been designated for the program, and the amendment allows the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to collect fees to cover the administrative costs of the program. The fee is $140. Though doctors had many questions two years ago about their role under the new law, those concerns have faded, said Kathy Lindquist-Kleissler, executive director of the Denver Medical Society. Like California's Proposition 215, Colorado's Amendment 20 protects physicians from punishment under state law for having discussed and recommended marijuana use for certain medical conditions described in the legislation. "It's one of those issues that have fallen off the radar screen," Lindquist-Kleissler said. "Physicians are comfortable in understanding what they can and cannot do, and those that are prescribing must feel confident understanding the issues." Note: None related portions of article not posted.Amy Fletcher covers health care.Source: Denver Business Journal (CO)Author: Amy FletcherPublished: March 21, 2003 Print EditionCopyright: 2003 American City Business Journals Inc.Contact: denver bizjournals.comWebsite: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMedical Marijuana Users On The Rise http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14627.shtmlColorado's Marijuana Program Starts Slowly http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11674.shtmlKaiser Lawyers Back Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10245.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo MD on March 24, 2003 at 10:19:48 PT: Gail Kelsey Gail Kelsey exemplifies what a civil servant is supposed to be. She does this job, not for personal gain, but because she feels it is right. A great deal of the credit for any advances on this front is due to her. What is really needed now is more physician education on the subject.The American Academy of Pain Management will have a whole-day course on cannabis in September:http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2834.htmlUrge your doctor to attend. Also ask your Colorado doctor to contact Gail with questions on clinical cannabis. She is extremely willing to help. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment