Coloradans can soon get medical marijuana in place of opioids

By Justin Windgerter for The Denver Post

Governor has signed bipartisan Senate Bill 13, which easily passed the General Assembly

Colorado doctors will soon be able to recommend medical marijuana to treat any condition they’ve been prescribing painkillers for.

Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday signed Senate Bill 13, bipartisan legislation that easily passed through the General Assembly. The new law, which is scheduled to go into effect Aug. 2, is a win for marijuana proponents although it concerns some addiction doctors.

“Even in states with flourishing nonmedical cannabis markets, it is important to remember that thousands of people count on cannabis as a medicine,” said David Mangone with Americans for Safe Access, a medical marijuana group. He predicts the bill will reduce opioid overdose deaths.