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.

Pine Wilt Nematode and Mountain Pine Beetle Along the Front Range: Is There a Connection?

We've received several samples in the Diagnostic Clinic this month of Scots pine that have been hit with Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) from areas along the front range and one of those samples also had Pine Wilt Nematode (PWN) (Bursaphelenchus spp.). So we are asking ourselves, which came first, MPB or PWN? And, is one exacerbating the other? To see if we can answer this question, we are collecting samples of MPB hit Scots pine that are being cut down in counties along the Front Range to process for PWN to see if there is any correlation. The specific counties we would like samples from are Larimer, Weld, Boulder, Adams, Jefferson, Denver, Arapahoe and Douglas. The samples should be from trees no higher than 6000 ft elevation. The samples should be collected from branch areas closest to the trunk and should be no more than 3 inches in diameter and about 6-8 inches in length. Samples will be processed at no charge to the submitter. Samples should also be sent within 1-2 days of the tree being cut down. Samples can be sent to the Plant Diagnostic Clinic, E215 Plant Sciences Bldg, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1177. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 970-491-6950.