March 22, 2011 05:54 PM UTC

James Mejia: the right candidate not just for providers and patients, but for all of Denver

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• by: Whiskey Lima Juliet

As the owners and operators of Simply Pure, a medical marijuana edibles company and 8 Rivers Modern Caribbean Restaurant and James Foxx Communications PR Firm, we employ over 30 people in our small businesses based in Denver. We know James Mejia is the right person to lead our city.  

While some candidates pay lip service to Medical Marijuana, James actually understands the needs of our community.  More importantly, he understands the role we play within both the broader medical and business communities.  James supports the rights of patients, and understands that regulation must ensure patients have access to safe, quality medicine.  Furthermore, he understands that dispensaries and licensing provide create revenue for our city in these tough economic times.

While it’s important to know that Mejia stands with our community, we must look at the broader economic picture as well.  As a Denver small business owner, one of the most compelling parts of James’ policy is his “buy Denver initiative.”  Buy Denver will help encourage local businesses, creating jobs here.  By giving priority to local companies in the City’s procurement process, and through promotion of locally made products, we can insure the prosperity of our city.  Imagine a Denver where our neighborhoods are filled with locally owned businesses, selling products you know are created right here in the Metro area.  With every purchase, you will know you are not only buying high quality items, but supporting our local economy when you see the “made in Denver” label.  A recent study showed that such an initiative can have a 127% increase on the local economy.

Finally, Mejia is running the best campaign operation in Denver: he has the vision, staff, and supporters to carry him into the runoff and into the Mayor’s office.  It is now official that there are ten candidates on the ballot running for mayor.  While we personally know and respect many of them, James Mejia is the only candidate who has both the vision for Denver and the ability to win.  We hope you will take a minute to visit www.mejiaformayor.com to learn more about his campaign and join us in supporting a new era of economic prosperity for our city.

Wanda James and Scott Durrah

Released by James Mejia about MMJ in Denver

Medical Marijuana

In 2000 the voters of Colorado amended the State Constitution allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Since that time the medical marijuana industry in Denver has grown to be the largest in the nation. As Mayor, I will continue to support medical marijuana. I have seen the benefits: when a friend of mine was in the last stages of her battle with cancer, medical marijuana was the only thing that would relieve the pain. We need to ensure that those who use marijuana for medicinal purposes are able to receive it.

Prior to marijuana becoming legalized for medical purposes, too many patients who needed access were driven into the shadows. Although the current process isn’t perfect,today Colorado has a clear system for approving patients, growers, and dispensaries. Additionally, the revenue from these operations has had a large beneficial effect on our economy.

I also believe we need to look at the laws and make changes to ensure doctors are writing recommendations for only those who truly need it. In order for medical marijuana to be treated as serious medicine, we must ensure that licensed doctors write recommendations and that dispensaries are held to the same high standards as pharmacies.

We need to engage the neighborhoods where dispensaries and grow operations are located. Simply because an area is zoned in a certain manner does not mean it’s appropriate in all communities. The City must take local input into consideration before allowing a dispensary to open.

The medical marijuana industry has been a boom to Denver’s economy. Dispensaries now occupy properties that previously sat empty. The City collects taxes that generate revenue. It creates jobs for those who work in the dispensaries and growing operations. From an economic standpoint, medical marijuana is good business for Denver.

It is very likely in 2012 the legalization of marijuana in Colorado will come before the voters. If the voters of Colorado choose to legalize marijuana, I will support the will of the people and work to ensure the transition to the free market proceeds smoothly.

For more information about the Mejia for Mayor campaign, visit www.MejiaForMayor.com

www.MejiaForMayor.com

2900 W. 25th Ave, Denver, CO 80211 (720) 287-3346