Democratic Sen. Pat Steadman, of Denver, said there are limits to what can be done at the state level because of federal laws that rigidly adhere to the illegality of marijuana. Steadman made the remarks Saturday at the Medical Marijuana Assistance Program of America’s first town hall meeting at their new headquarters in Denver.

“I tried to take a few of the rough edges off of our regulatory scheme,” said Steadman. “I’m becoming increasingly frustrated because I’m becoming more and more acutely aware of the fact that I don’t think the solution to this problem lies here in the state of Colorado, and I don’t know if there’s anything we can do at the Capitol in Denver to actually fix this.”

Of primary concern, said Steadman, is the refusal of banks in Colorado to do business with medical marijuana dispensaries stemming from fears of federal investigations.  The lack of banking opportunities is creating a recipe for crime, says Steadman.

“It’s become a cash business, and when you have that kind of cash lying around, we know what kinds of problems that creates,” said Steadman.  “It’s just a ticking time bomb, and it’s just going to get worse the more we force this industry to work on a cash basis. I’ve hit a brick wall, I think, in what we can do, and whatever we try and do at the state level I don’t think is actually going to work because of federal laws around banking.”

The federal government has made it clear, says Steadman, that banks servicing medical marijuana dispensaries  are involved in illegal activity.

Even if state legislation could turn the corner, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers may not be supportive,  given his overall reluctance to support broader interpretations of Amendment 20, the voter-approved constitutional provision legalizing medical marijuana in 2000. Spokesman Mike Saccone said the Republican attorney general’s preference is for the approach outlined in the constitutional amendment, allowing for marijuana to be grown and used for medical purposes rather than sold through dispensaries.

“In an ideal world, he’d like to go back to the patient-caregiver system established in Amendment 20,” said Saccone. “Whether or not the toothpaste is already out of the tube is another matter.”

Steadman said he had been working on possible legislation over the summer to address the banking issue, but he now has serious reservations and is considering giving up the idea. The solution may hinge on efforts by U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colorado, who is working on the issue at the federal level, says Steadman.

“I haven’t given up yet, but I may have to, ” said Steadman. “We may have to bank on what Polis can do in Washington.”

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Lawmaker moves to stop sale of state nursing home in Trinidad

HB-1038–Fail

Lawmaker aims to reconcile land conservation, condemnation

SB-50–Pass

Bill would mandate physical activity for schools kids

HB-1069–Pass

State regulation proposed for blow-up bounce houses

SB-75–Fail

Senators question cost, pace of march toward renewables

SB-71–Fail

Senator says contracting out services could save schools money

SB-79–Fail

Foreclosure assistance bill gets broad bipartisan support

HB-1023–Pass

Bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote dies in committee

SB-18–Fail

Bill to streamline school meds is sent to waiting room

SB-12–Pass

School-trust land to get greater transparency under pending bill

SB-29–Pass

Questions about ballot questions? This bill aims to answer ‘em

HB-1035–Pass

SW Colorado lawmaker says stop raiding severance-tax proceeds

SB-35–Fail

HB-1123–Fail

Liability shield for mountain-biking biz fails in committee

SB-36–Fail

Lawmaker pushes to close loophole in identity theft

HB-1049–Fail

Requiring photo ID to vote wins a round in the House

HB-1003–Fail

Bill lets small employers chip in for individual health coverage

SB-19–Pass

Funding equity proposed for students at private, public colleges

HB-1168–Fail

Panel axes bill rolling back state worksers’ ‘partnership agreements’

SB-38–Fail

Local bicycle bans could hit roadblock at the Capitol

HB-1092–Fail

Dems’ bill would’ ensure state never spends more money than it has

HB-1052–Fail

Most pending reforms to state retirement system likely to die early

SB-76–Pass

SB-74–Fail

HB-1008–Fail

SB-127–Fail

Proposal underscore the ‘public’ in public records

SB-25–Pass

Lawmakers want utility to give the medically impaired a break

SB-87–Pass

Business community shows renewed optimism, clout at legislature

HB-1005–Pass

HB-1109–Pass

HB-1129–Fail

HB-1127–Fail

Panel OK’s bills targeting marketplace fraud, workplace discrimination

SB-72–Fail

SB-68–Fail

Workers with state vehicles won’t have to reimburse for the commute

SB-23–Fail

Coloradans will continue to elect their coroners

HB-1108–Fail

Undocumented students take a step toward in-state tuition

SB-126–Fail

Lawmaker: Let’s take a break from unpopular business tax

HB-1141–Fail

Committee kills effort to cut ‘carbon tax’ from utility bills

HB-1240–Fail

Senate passes youth-concussion bill

SB-40–Pass

House gives nod to one-stop shop to help small business

HB-1209–Pass

Bill would curb new wave of bullies at school

HB-1254–Pass

Regs on naturopaths rejected in committee

HB-1173–Fail

Dems offer bill for tax amnesty, transparency

SB-184–Pass

GOP lawmakers nix mandate, say greener schools come naturally

HB-1204–Fail

Senate votes to give homeowners a hedge against insurers

SB-15–Fail

Small-town rep seeks to keep communities whole amid redistricting

HB-1276–Fail

GOP legislation aims for remake of oil and gas board

HB-1223–Fail

Lawmakers throw a lifeline to homeless youths

HB-1079–Pass

Pending proposal would dump Xcel’s tiered power rates

HB-1271–Fail

House GOP seeks to reinstate spending limit

HB-1280–Fail

Service animal bill approved by Senate

HB-1151–Pass

Bill targeting domestic violence would tag death certificates

HB-1183–Pass

Daylight saving time wins first round

SB-22–Fail

Bill giving ex-cons a second chance draws scrutiny

SB-44–Fail

Unborn-child bill pulled by sponsor

HB-1256–Fail

Panel halts push for ’smart grid’- says private sector is smarter

SB-131–Fail

PERA bill sent back for revisions

HB-1248–Fail

Plan advances to bar felons from school employment

HB-1121–Pass

Local governments still can ding accident victims

HB-1059–Fail

Bid to curb vehicle late fees halted in Senate committee

HB-1084–Fail

Tailpipe testing of vehicles to continue in Larimer, Weld

HB-1082–Fail

Panel says preservationists should yield to property owners

HB-1289–Pass

Dust-up over health-benefit exchanges: ‘good policy, toxic politics?’

SB-200–Pass

McKinley backs owners on conservation easements: ‘A deal’s a deal’

HB-1208–Fail

Boyd’s beer bill moves ahead

SB-194–Fail

Legislative panel: Double-check child-care workers

HB-1145–Pass

Senate OK’s ‘parental involvement policy’ for ailing schools

HB-1126–Pass

Panel OK’s bill giving oil and gas commission a makeover

HB-1223–Fail

Panel agrees to incentives for alt-energy parks

HB-1255–Fail

Committee OK’s measure making PUC more accountable

HB-1222–Fail

Software tax cut said to be a slam dunk for both parties

HB-1293–Pass

Fast-tracked clean-air plan challenged by rival legislation

HB-1291–Pass

SB-236–Fail

SB-237–Fail

Panel nixes municipal elections on local trash collection

HB-1116–Fail

Cab passenger pick-up bill passes Senate

SB-180–Pass

Senators check the couch cushions for spare school funding

SB-1–Fail

SB-109–Fail

Senate panel draws a bead on ag land ‘loophole’

HB-1146–Pass

Lawmakers seek to get unemployment fund back on track

HB-1288–Pass

Roofers say they’re reeling from bad rep – seek

regulation

SB-207–Fail

After a year on hold, ag tax exemption back on track

HB-1005–Pass

Conservation easements: Plan pending to let landowners out of limbo

HB-1300–Pass

Food-sales bill aims to help rural climes – and ‘abgriburia,’ too

SB-258–Fail

Panel throws book at those who spit – on those who help us

HB-1105–Pass

Ag land ‘loophole’ bill goes to Guv

HB-1146–Pass

Businesses would get an ear on the bench under pending bill

HB-1302–Fail

Health care compact proposal wins first round

HB-1273–Fail

Proposal pitches a more effective way to grapple with graffiti

SB-256–Pass

Lawmakers eye easier credit for energy-efficient upgrades

SB-32–Fail

Lawmakers aim to retool former guv’s signature energy agency

HB-1312–Fail

A bill for Jerry’s kids – and fundraising firefighters

SB-270–Fail

Senate updates redistricting map

SB-268–Fail

HB-1319–Fail

State as bail bondsman of last resort? ‘Dog’ says no way

SB-186–Fail

‘Amazon Tax’ on its way out the door?

HB-1318–Fail

Legislation would open roads to off-roaders

HB-1264–Fail

Guv signs budget bill

SB-209–Pass

As Mom’s Day looms, lawmakers eye online flower sales

SB-271–Pass

Funds tapped to help fight state’s wildfires

SB-238—Pass

Legislation lets fest goers stroll with drinks in hand

SB-273—Pass

Lawmakers snip red tape in an assist to business

SB235–Pass

You may use part or all of this article in Web or print publications, as well as in radio and TV broadcasts, at no charge and without further permission. Please credit the Colorado News Agency.

Gov. Bill Ritter announced this week that in order to fill the $60 million hole in the state budget created by the lower payments from the feds, he will reduce spending by $6.2 million, with the remaining $53.4 million coming out of various cash funds–funds collected and intended for specific uses—as well as the anticipated revenue from fees on medical marijuana licenses.

Ritter said the revised budget will maintain the status quo while keeping Colorado on track for economic recovery.

“We are preserving essential services, protecting the safety net, minimizing pain and requiring shared sacrifices and shared solutions from everyone,” Ritter said. “This is a responsible plan that continues to position Colorado for a healthy and sustainable recovery.”

However, Senate Republicans issued a statement chiding the governor’s latest budget plan and calling for “new priorities in state spending and less reliance on federal dollars” in addressing the state’s budget shortfall.  Senate Republican Minority Leader Mike Kopp, of Littleton, said relying on money from the feds is not good financial planning and sets the state up for a fall when the federal funding falls short or runs dry, as it did this time.

“The Democrats’ partnership with Washington is not working for Colorado taxpayers,” said Kopp. “Colorado businesses and families cannot afford any more financial burdens because Democrats in the state legislature and Gov. Ritter speculated on federal funding and guessed wrong.”

Kopp said reliance on cash funds and anticipated revenue is not sustainable into the future.

“It is time we created real priorities in the state budget and stopped the budgeting gimmicks that have plagued the budget setting of the majority party,” said Kopp.

A formal request, as required by law, by the health department to add the disorder to the list of treatable ailments was submitted Tuesday to the Department of Regulatory Services, which has the authority to approve or deny the request. Tourette’s is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary motor or vocal “tics” that are repetitive and rapid such as blinking, twitching, or grunts.  Symptoms range from moderate to severe, and treatments vary.

The health department found the information submitted to department staff last March to be credible.

“Based upon both the information supplied by the petitioner and a review of the medical literature which shows some scientific evidence of efficacy in humans and no evidence of harm, the department is bringing this rulemaking action to add Tourette’s syndrome as a debilitating medical condition for which an individual could apply to the Medical Marijuana Program for a registry identification card,” read the request.

Colorado voters approved a citizens initiative in 2000 allowing the using of medical marijuana to treat a variety of ailments. State regulators wield the authority to fine-tune the list of allowable uses of medical marijuana.

However, policy makers in state and local government have been trying to rein in the proliferation over the last year of medical-marijuana dispensaries that have popped up in larger cities. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law.

Two measures passed by the legislature curbing the herb’s use were signed into law this year by Gov. Bill Ritter after rigorous debate and considerable wrangling over the details. House Bill 1284, sponsored by House members Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, and Ken Summers, R-Lakewood, along with Senate members Chris Romer, D- Denver, and Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, put in place guidelines for medical marijuana dispensaries in the name of weeding out illegitimate dispensaries. Senate Bill 109 fine-tuned the doctor-patient relationship when medical marijuana is recommended, and was sponsored by Romer, Spence, Massey and Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver.

Spence said that she supports the addition of Tourette’s if the evidence points to the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating the disorder.

“I don’t have a problem with Tourette’s being added to the list,” said Spence.  “I would defer to the experts though in making that determination, and I trust that the department will look at the research.”

A hearing is set for 10 a.m. on Sept. 15 at the health department and is open to the public.

January 5 - Pending bills seek to lift economy with an assist to the arts

Final outcome: House Bill 1180 – Passed; Senate Bill 94 – Passed

January 10 - Lawmakers seek new ways to assess teachers, cull worst

Final outcome: Senate Bill 50 – Failed; Senate Bill 191 – Passed

January 12 - ‘Race to the Top’ now a race with time to win federal ed dollars

Final outcome: Senate Bill 36 – Passed

January 13 – Legislative leaders offer divergent views on budget woes

Final outcome: House Bill 1376 (the ‘Long Bill’) – Passed, signed into law

January 15 – Lawmakers cross finish line in Race to the Top

Final outcome: Senate Bill 36 – Passed

January 19 – Following late-fee flap, push is on to fix FASTER

Final outcome: Senate Bill 4, 44, and 57 – Failed; House Bill 1102 – Failed

January 19 – Capitol rally denounces federal agenda for health-care reform

Final Outcome: Ballot Initiative filed

January 20 – Expansion of emissions testing along Front Range draws flak

Final outcome:  Senate Bill 95 – Failed

January 22 – Panel approves bill to give public a peek inside school spending

Final outcome: House Bill 1036 – Passed, signed into law

January 22 – Under pending proposal, public would help pay for campaigns

Final outcome:  House bill 1156 – Failed

January 26 – Rollback of tax credits, exemptions now on the table at Capitol

Final outcome: House Bills 1189-1197- Passed, signed into law; 1198 – Failed; 1199 – Passed, signed into law; 1200 – Passed

January 27 – First medical-marijuana bill passes committee–draws a crowd

Final outcome: Senate Bill 109 – Passed

January 28 – Business community carries its concerns to Capitol’s doorstep

Final outcome: House Bills 1189-1197- Passed, signed into law; 1198 – Failed; 1199 – Passed, signed into law; 1200 – Passed

January 29 – State pension rescue plan passes Senate; critics say it does too little

Final outcome: Senate Bill 1 – Passed, signed into law

February 2 – FASTER’s sponsor taps brakes on Colfax streetcar plan

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 145 – Failed

February 2 – Lawmakers dig into state’s unsightly, unsafe tire piles

Final Outcome: House Bill 1018 – Passed

February 3 – Is it about jobs or kids? Legislators asked to decide

Final outcome: House Bills 1189-1197- Passed, signed into law; 1198 – Failed; 1199 – Passed, signed into law; 1200 – Passed

February 4 – Governor ups ante on renewables; critics fear cost

Final Outcome: House Bill 1001 – Passed, signed into law

February 5 – Parties lock horns over tax package, offer dueling budget plans

Final outcome: House Bills 1189-1197- Passed, signed into law; 1198 – Failed; 1199 – Passed, signed into law; 1200 – Passed

February 8 – Effort to beef up state’s DUI penalty gets derailed

Final Outcome: House Bill 1184 – Failed

February 9 – ‘Wind rights’: just around the corner in New Energy Economy?

Final Outcome:  House Bill 1158 – Failed

February 10 – Bill letting corner markets sell real beer clears first hurdle at Capitol

Final Outcome:  House bill 1186 – Failed

February 12 – Commercial rafters win a round over landowners in House

Final Outcome: House Bill 1188 – Failed

February 15 – Religious ‘Bill of Rights’ for schools gets spiked, called unnecessary

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 89 – Failed

February 16 – After dismantling tax breaks, Dems pose a new one; GOP cries foul

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 133 – Failed

February 17 – Plan to enhance mountain-college system gets panel’s OK

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 101 – Passed

February 18 – Ritter closes in on next year’s budget gap

Final Outcome: House Bill 1376 (the ‘Long Bill’) – Passed, signed into law

February 19 – House gives nod to secure online access for end-of-life info

Final Outcome: House Bill 1050 – Passed, signed into law

February 22 – Panel halts effort to bar felons from working at schools

Final Outcome: House Bill 1082 – Failed

February 23 – Lawmakers unite behind new approach to drug offenders

Final Outcome: House Bill 1352 – Passed

February 24 – Ombudsman for homeowners put on hold in committee

Final Outcome: House Bill 1278 – Passed

February 25 – Guv, lawmakers seek an advocate for kids

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 171 – Passed

February 25 – Arts in education get a lift in the legislature

Final Outcome: House Bill 1273 – Passed

February 26 – Pending helmet law for kids rapped as ‘nannyism’

Final Outcome: House Bill 1147 – Passed

March 1 – Lawmakers say science doesn’t support ban on notions, potions

Final Outcome: House Bill 1248 – Failed

March 2 – Panel kills bill, is told phone books will fade away anyway

Final Outcome:  House Bill 1068 – Failed

March 3 – Students converge on Capitol to highlight tuition travails

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 3 – Passed

March 4 – Panel votes to end higher health-care premiums for women

Final Outcome: House Bill 1008 – Passed, signed into law

March 8 – Amazon pushes back after Colorado moves to tax online sales

Final Outcome: House Bill 1193 – Passed, signed into law

March 8 – Getting healthy gets you lower insurance rates under pending bill

Final Outcome: House Bill 1160 – Passed

March 9 – Rocky Flats’ legacy prompts proposal to post warning signs

Final Outcome: House Bill 1127 – Failed

March 10 – Plan to curb public PR for pols is rejected

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 105 – Failed

March 11 – Communication–not litigation–works best with docs, panel is told

Final Outcome: House Bill 1283 – Failed

March 12 – Booster-seat bill lauded as lifesaver, chided as ‘terminal silliness’

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 110 – Passed

March 15 – Make my day? Only at home, says legislative panel

Final Outcome: House Bill 1094 – Failed

March 16 – Conservation easements create buyer’s remorse for the state

Final Outcome: House Bill 1169 – Failed

March 17 – New fed rules hamstring some state water projects

Final Outcome: Senate Joint Resolution 18 – Failed

March 18 – Does bill provide affordable housing, or path to rent control?

Final Outcome: House Bill 1017 – Passed, signed into law

March 19 – River rafting bill stagnates because of study amendment

Final Outcome: House Bill 1188 – Failed

March 22 – Colorado joins lawsuit against new federal health-reform bill

Final Outcome: Suit still pending

March 23 – Contribution limits on school board races rejected

Final Outcome: House Bill 1272 – Failed

March 25 – Bill advances to clear the way for RTD rights-of-way

Final Outcome: House Bill 1276 – Passed, signed into law

March 26 – SE Colorado lawmakers urge state to keep hands off water funds

Final Outcome: House Bill 1376 (the ‘Long Bill’) – Passed, signed into law

March 29 – Timeline to affiliate may be shortened for candidates

Final Outcome: House Bill 1271 – Passed

March 30 – It’s a dirty job: Panel approves regulating grease

Final Outcome: House Bill 1125 – Passed

March 31 – Pols ponder GOP leader’s plan to slim down state government

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 29 – Failed

April 1 – Proposed helmet law for children moves into 2nd gear

Final Outcome: House bill 1147 – Passed

April 5 – House agrees to greater oversight for uranium processors

Final Outcome: House Bill 1348 – Passed

April 6 – Potential changes to ballot initiative process gain broad support

Final Outcome: House Bill 1366 – Failed; 1370 – Passed

April 7 – Horses get a helping hand from legislative panel

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 139 – Passed

April 7 – From the plow to the table: Bill would create food “advisory council”

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 106 – Passed

April 8 – Biomass gets a boost from lawmakers

Final Outcome: House Bill 1363 – Passed; Senate Bill 177 – Passed

April 9 – Remaining tax exemptions and credits could get regular scrutiny

Final Outcome: House Bill 1429 – Failed

April 12 – Mandate on homebuilders creates boiling debate

Final Outcome: House Bill 1358 – Passed

April 13 – How to provide transparency — with 80’s-era software

Final Outcome: House Bill 1078 – Failed

April 14 – If a rainy day fund is created, will future lawmakers use restraint?

Final Outcome: House Concurrent Resolution 1003 – Failed

April 16 – Stepped-up DUI penalties pass muster in House

Final Outcome: House Bill 1347 – Passed

April 19 – Voters could have choice to amend TABOR

Final Outcome: House Concurrent Resolution 1002 – Failed

April 20 – ‘Helmet bill’ comes to a screeching halt

Final Outcome: House Bill 1147 – Passed

April 21 – Teachers take approved time off to lobby bill – drawing criticism from the right

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 191 – Passed

April 22 – Judicial redistricting rules – necessary guidelines, or handcuffs?

Final Outcome: House Bill 1408 – Passed

April 23 – Dems want health policy surcharge; Republicans say it’s a tax

Final Outcome: House Bill 1103 – Failed

April 26 – Dems seek slowdown on investment tax credits

Final Outcome: House Bill 1200 – Passed

April 27 – I-70 ‘zipper-bill’ gains speed

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 184 – Passed

April 27 – Voting rights could be extended to parolees

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 179 – Failed

April 28 – Will voters make it tougher on themselves to amend the constitution?

Final Outcome: Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 – Failed

April 29 – Stiff new penalties proposed for violating disabilities act

Final Outcome: House Bill 1152 – Failed

April 30 – Pols tap ‘earn to learn’ trend for Colorado kids

Final Outcome: Senate Bill 210 – Failed

May 3 – Effort to have voters redefine marijuana ‘caregiver’ shot down

Final Outcome: Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 – Failed

May 4 – Committee scuttles ‘balanced budget’ message to Congress

Final outcome: House Joint Resolution 1031 – failed

May 5 – Senate votes to take shackles off prisoners in labor

Final outcome: Senate Bill 193 – Passed

May 7 – With Democrats and unions divided, committee OK’s teacher-tenure reform

Final outcome: Senate Bill 191 – Passed

May 8 – Who deserves first crack at the ballot: lawmakers or voters?

Final outcome: Senate Bill 216 – Passed

May 10 – Bill would create highway wildlife crossing zones, along with fines

Final outcome: House Bill 1238 – Passed

May 11 – Applying the brakes to personal use of state vehicles

Final outcome: House Bill 1287 – Passed

May 12 – Teachers union shaken, allies divided by passage of tenure reform

Final outcome: Senate Bill 191 – Passed

Earlier in the day, a coalition of patient-advocacy groups had gathered on the Capitol’s west steps to express their concerns with the proposed legislation.

“We’re here to remind legislators that this is about patients’ rights as they consider a bill that would weaken the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship,”  said Brian Vicente, of the group Sensible Colorado.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, and Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, clarifies and defines the doctor-patient relationship when a physician recommends the use of medical marijuana.

Proponents point to what they say have been abuses of the law by some doctors who issue recommendations–which are not the same as prescriptions–on flimsy pretexts. Critics of the measure say it is a solution in search of a problem and could stand in the way of patients who truly need the therapy. Those testifying in favor of the bill, who have also been instrumental in outlining the provisions of the bill, came primarily from law enforcement.  Those opposing  the bill, making up the lion’s share of today’s crowd, were patients, providers and care givers.

Jason Ellingson, a medical-marijuana patient, told committee members the hurdles are already significant in procuring what he and others said is a life-giving source of pain mitigation.

“We have enough medical stuff going on as it is, and we shouldn’t have to add another piece to an already difficult situation,” Ellingson said.

He said the difficulty he and others are experiencing are both financial and logistical.  Federal laws preclude medical providers who receive federal dollars from recommending medical marijuana, and the Romer-Spence bill would further impede a patient’s ability to see a doctor with whom they have an established relationship, Ellingson said.

Proponents of the measure, however, said too many doctors are recommending medical marijuana without proper oversight, causing a proliferation of usage that may or may not be medically necessary and blurring the lines of legality. They said that makes it extremely difficult for law enforcement and the courts to do their jobs.

Romer, in defense of his bill, declared, “This bill marks an end of the wild, wild west.”

Although medical marijuana has been legal for a decade, dispensaries serving patients have popped up rapidly in several Colorado communities in the past year following a number of federal and state regulatory developments. Lawmakers have taken on the issue as a result.

The emotional nature of today’s testimony was not lost on the panel and particularly Romer, who spoke up after the committee heard from a cancer patient with chronic pain who said he has been unable to use medical marijuana because he is a parolee.

“We have to listen with our hearts because this is a tough issue,” said Romer, who noted that he wants a common-sense solution and is willing to look at ways to amend the bill as it moves forward to consider some of the concerns brought up in committee.

The lone “no” vote was cast by the committee’s Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R- Broomfield. Mitchell  expressed concern that the bill was arbitrarily singling out one kind of treatment for additional regulation, particularly when a judge would retain discretion anyway over whether or not a parolee could obtain a lawful remedy for pain.

“I find it odd that a judge would intervene in a medical decision in this instance but not in others,” said Mitchell.

Later in the session, lawmakers are also expected to consider legislation that could rein in–or even roll back–the recent proliferation of medical-marijuana dispensaries in Denver and other communities. Some cities, including Denver, already have enacted ordinances of their own that either curb or in some cases ban the dispensaries. That impending legislation is believed likely to spark an even testier debate than today’s measure.