Colorado Progressive

Denver’s medical marijuana conundrum seems a perfect extension of lessons government and the people might take from the current health care reform debacle gripping the nation’s attention. Politicians will cover their backsides, and few patients will really get what they need out of the eventual deal. The half-baked approach taken by lawmakers and city council members to allow patient access to the drug in name only continues to claim victims. Today, the Denver Post points to patients who face workplace discrimination for their legal medical marijuana use.

To be sure, the high school teacher charged with smoking dope on school grounds likely demonstrated poor judgment. I’d expect any teacher taking any pain medication to use extreme discretion where students are concerned. But it’s not clear from the article what the circumstances of the event were, and, more urgently, it’s increasingly clear from the story that medical marijuana patients face jeopardy in disclosing how they manage pain–legally–during off hours.

So when Colorado’s legislature takes up regulation efforts this week, I urge lawmakers to stake out clear protections for patients who earnestly deserve a little relief.