Colo. rejects change in marijuana rules

DENVER, July 22 (UPI) -- The Colorado Board of Health rejected a proposal to cap the number of patients a medical marijuana caregiver can handle.

At its 12-hour hearing, the board also turned down a plan Monday night to require caregivers to help patients with their activities, The Denver Post reported.

By the time the board voted 6-3 against the proposals, the audience of 500 at the beginning of the hearing had shrunk to 50. Those remaining cheered when they learned of the decision.

The proposals, especially the patient cap, would have likely shut down medical marijuana dispensing in Colorado. Many marijuana caregivers are dispensaries with hundreds of patients.

"We're happy the board did the compassionate thing," said Brian Vicente,

director of Sensible Colorado, a pro-marijuana nonprofit advocacy group. "This is a win for Coloradan sick patients and the voters."

Much of the testimony came from medical marijuana users who said it has helped them relieve pain and in some cases stop taking other medication.

Ned Calonge, chief medical officer for the state health department, said caregivers are not equipped to handle more than five patients a day.