(AAron Ontiveroz, Denver Post file)

Hot topic: Colorado lawmakers look at stricter medical marijuana rules

DENVER — Colorado’s most controversial marijuana-related bill of the year is up for its first test in the Senate Thursday.

A measure to crack down on medical pot users faces a hearing. The bill would increase oversight on caregivers. Those are people authorized to grow medical pot on behalf of patients.

Colorado officials say they can’t tell legal caregivers from illegal growers shipping pot out of state.

Officials insist they’re not trying to reduce the number of people using medical marijuana, which is taxed at a fraction of the rate of recreational marijuana.

But previous attempts to crack down on the medical use of pot have run into stiff opposition. Constitutional protections for medical pot users complicate crack-down efforts.
___

Online: Senate Bill 14