Official CSU Protocol on Medical Marijuana

There has been much discussion between Extension Agents, Specialists and Diagnosticians regarding diagnosis of disease or insect problems related to medical marijuana. The following protocol has been vetted by CSU Legal Counsel and Extension Administration:

The General Counsel's staff at Colorado State University has informed CSU Extension of the following in regards to medical marijuana. These restrictions apply to all CSU Extension staff members to include Master Gardener Volunteers.

1. While the use of medical marijuana is legal in the state of Colorado, marijuana remains a schedule 1 illegal drug under Federal law and as such, Colorado State University Extension cannot be involved with this item.

a. Assistance with medical marijuana plant health questions will not be provided.
b. Individuals requesting such information will not be provided referral information.

2. Our offices are considered drug free workplaces as CSU is a Federal contractor.

a. Marijuana plants and/or plant parts are not permitted in CSU Extension offices.
b. Marijuana plants or plant parts delivered to or left at CSU Extension offices will be turned over to legal authorities for destruction.

3. If CSU Extension employees or volunteers (including Master Gardeners) assist medical marijuana growers, they will be acting outside the scope of their employee/volunteer role and assume personal liability for any legal action that may be taken against them.

Based on this information from General Counsel, the Plant Diagnostic Clinic will not accept marijuana plants for diagnosis, nor can we offer assistant via phone or email.

CSFS Talking Points on ODC

Here in the clinic, we've received several phone calls regarding the effectiveness of a product on the market called Organic Disease Control or ODC. The product is a colloidal chitosan which states that it will increase resin production in trees to help reduce attacks by Mountain Pine Beetle. Sky Stephens, Colorado State Forest Service Entomologist, has provided talking points regarding this product. To date, no testing has been done to determine the impacts of Agrihouse ODC on mountain pine beetle in lodgepole or ponderosa pine. One point from the information provided is that until specific testing is done to determine the impacts of ODC on mountain pine beetle, CSFS encourages landowners to use well-tested products with a proven track record to protect important pine trees on their land.

CSFS Talking Points Regarding ODC (pdf)