Marijuana Advocates Call For 'Day Of Action' to Protest Federal Enforcement

A group of medical marijuana advocates and business owners are calling for a Medical Marijuana Day of Action on Wednesday to protest federal marijuana enforcement against Colorado dispensaries.

The marijuana advocates want patients to call their federal representatives and ask them to tell U.S. Attorney John Walsh to stop trying to shut down marijuana businesses that are compliant with state and local laws.

The action has been organized in response to letters Walsh sent to 23 marijuana businesses that are located closer than 1,000 feet to a school. The businesses were given until Feb. 27 to close or move.

The letters were described by federal officials as a "first wave" that would be followed up by additional enforcement actions.

Lance Smith, the owner of Boulder Kind Care, who is promoting the day of action among his patients and on his dispensary's Facebook page, said the federal government should let state regulations do their job.

"Colorado is the most heavily regulated state when it comes to medical marijuana, and it's working," Smith said.

Smith said the goal of the day of action is to reach lawmakers before they head home for recess so that a conversation can occur within districts about the proper role of government regulation.

Eventually, organizers would like to see a federal law recognizing state marijuana regulations.

The day of action's organizers include medical marijuana trade groups like ACT4CO, Colorado Springs Medical Cannabis Council, Medical Marijuana Assistance Program of America, Medical Marijuana Industry Group, National Voice for the Cannabis Industry and Sensible Colorado and dozens of dispensaries.

- Article originally from Daily Camera.