On November 7, 2000, 54% of Colorado voters approved
Amendment 20, which amended the State Constitution to allow the use
of marijuana in the state for approved patients with written
medical consent. Under this law, patients may possess up
to 2 ounces of medical marijuana and may cultivate no more than six
marijuana plants (no more than three of these mature flowering
plants at a time). Patients who are caught with more than this in
their possession may argue "affirmative defense of medical
necessity" but are not protected under state law with the rights of
those who stay within the guidelines set forth by the state.
Furthermore, doctors, when making a patient recommendation to the
state can recommend the rights to possess additional medicine and
grow additional plants, because of the patient's specific medical
needs. Conditions recognized for medical marijuana in Colorado
include: cachexia; cancer; chronic pain; chronic nervous system
disorders; epilepsy and other disorders characterized by seizures;
glaucoma; HIV or AIDS; multiple sclerosis and other disorders
characterized by muscle spasticity; and nausea. Additionally,
patients may not use medical marijuana in public places or in any
place where they are in plain view, or in any manner which may
endanger others (this includes operating a vehicle or machinery
after medicating). Colorado medical marijuana patients cannot fill
prescriptions at a pharmacy because under federal law, marijuana is
classified as a schedule I drug. Instead, patients may get medicine
from a recognized caregiver or a non-state-affiliated club or
organization, usually called a dispensary. Dispensaries in Colorado
offer a range of marijuana strains with different qualities, as
well as various "edibles" or food products that contain marijuana
extracts. Certain dispensaries also offer patients seeds and
"clones" for those who want to grow their own medicine.