Healing Center Offers Medical Marijuana: A First For Colorado

As a segment of a holistic healing center, medical marijuana can now be purchased for the first time in Colorado. According to the Fort Collins Coloradoan April 1, 2008 article,("City To Get Medical Pot Store") 'The center will offer healing therapies ranging from kundalini yoga to ayurvedic medicine, hypnosis, nutrition, meditation, acupuncture and organic medical marijuana. Colorado voters legalized the medical use of marijuana in 2000 when they passed Amendment 20."

The article explains, "Patients interested in medical marijuana must first get a doctor's prescription and a state-issued registration card with the name of their caregiver before they can legally grow, buy or use marijuana to relieve their symptoms. 'We have to be very diligent in following the way the law is written as closely as possible,' Fleming said. The couple serves as caregivers to about 10 patients, Fleming said, but he expects that to increase as word spreads. Fort Collins police said they were unaware of the new business, but as long as the Flemings comply with state law there is no problem. 'If this grower is certified, then they can grow it for other legal users,' said Rita Davis, spokeswoman for Fort Collins Police Services."

The article adds, "The Flemings plan to use proceeds from selling medical marijuana to help subsidize practitioners' salaries. According to plans, customers of EnerChi Healing Center can either buy a membership and pay a reduced rate for every visit or pay a per-visit rate. 'The rates are much lower than market ... that's where medical marijuana would compensate,' Fleming said. The cost of medical marijuana will be on a sliding scale, Fleming said, depending on the patients' specific needs."