Q/A: Dr. Hasan Re-envisioning Pueblo Through Medical Marijuana

Dr. Malik Hasan, neurologist and businessman, wants to change the city with his recently established NuVue Pharma

The community has come to know Dr. Malik Hasan as a combination of influential businessman, neurologist and the namesake of CSU-Pueblo’s growing business school.

Graphic by Riki Takaoka

In 1999, Pueblo saw layoffs spike when Qualmed, Hasan’s project which received some of Pueblo’s half-cent sales tax fund, collapsed. This time the doctor is turning to marijuana research at CSU-Pueblo with his recently established NuVue Pharma.

He calls the project a cutting-edge “bio-tech” operation with state-of-the-art lab equipment, on Pueblo’s north side.

Hasan turned his sights on cannabis research in 2015, after obtaining a Marijuana Enforcement Division business license. Hasan is also licensed to grow recreational marijuana for wholesale purposes within the city of Pueblo. The NuVue medical dispensary recently opened at 4740 Dillon Drive.

Despite a whirlwind of controversy surrounding the future of recreational marijuana sales in Pueblo, Hasan sees abundant opportunities in the medical marijuana industry that could boost the local economy and bring more specialized resources to southern Colorado.

The following is an interview with the Hasan — which has been edited for brevity.

Do you worry that efforts by anti-pot groups such as Citizens for a Healthy Pueblo, who is behind the petitions to opt out of the recreational industry, effect NuVue operations in any sense?

The ballot initiative was directed toward recreational not medical marijuana, although the difference between medical and recreational is somewhat arbitrary. It’s not that difficult for recreational users to go to a doctor and get a medical marijuana card. The most profound effect of most of the sales in Pueblo Country will move to the black market. There is no ability of the state government to control the quality of what has been given to the consumer.

Do you think the anti-pot activists have valid concerns about the legal cultivation and sale of recreational marijuana?

I believe their motives are venal. The local businesses, which benefit from the lack of legalization of marijuana, have joined forces because it creates jobs in law enforcement and private prisons. The reason why Parkview is taking such a lead is because the courts mandate offenders to attend drug rehab, which generates millions of dollars for the medical institutions.

What do you envision for the future of marijuana research?

One of the things we have done, which has increased capital cost and the time in which to build the facility, is to try to grow pharmaceutical grade marijuana so that you can do research. For ordinary purposes you don’t need all the stringent quality controls. However, a consistent product is required for research purposes. I think we will be one of the few, if not the only facility in the country, able to grow pharmaceutical grade cannabis.

What are the greatest challenges you face in your research on marijuana?

There is the curse of the plenty. Most plants have one biologically active molecule, so it’s easy to do it. Cannabis works on so many conditions, but don’t know which biologically active molecule is beneficial to PTSD, to migraines, anxiety and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease.

How do you think the new MJ research facility will impact the surrounding communities?

My vision for it is to change the character of the city, thereby bringing in an entirely new professional class of technicians, high-power doctors — PhDs, physicians and researchers. We are fortunate in our location. Pueblo has natural advantages to marijuana growth such as abundant sunlight and water.

How can unity be achieved on the issue when there is so much controversy involved with the growth of rec marijuana?

The last time the vote passed in Pueblo County by an overwhelming margin. If we lose, it will be because we failed to put our case squarely in front of the voters. In the rest of the country, the legalization of marijuana is catching on and it’s primarily because of the success in Colorado. If it fails in Colorado, it will start to slow down legalization everywhere else in the country. One of the reasons why the black market is so robust in the city is because the city is not legalizing recreational marijuana.

What is your vision for the future of marijuana sales in Pueblo?

I think the future is very bright. I trust my fellow citizens. They are pragmatic people and they are not going to be swayed by fancy slogans. There is no scientific evidence that this is a harmful substance, it’s safer than aspirin. In the history of cannabis, there has not been one death as a result of an overdose.

What, in your opinion, should the CO legislators do to ensure the wellbeing on CO community when it comes to marijuana?

The legislators are behind the curve in Colorado. It became legal because of a ballot initiative and the general public is well ahead in their thinking and is more enlightened than our legislators. The city of Pueblo prohibits sale of recreational marijuana, but people will buy it in the county. Here, we have a ready source of revenue to fix the city’s roads and infrastructure.

What additional steps need to be taken to achieve the level of research you have in mind.

We have just started. It is going to take multiple steps. I worked with legislators to get the legislation passed for funding cannabis research at CSU-Pueblo. Several faculty members are involved and scientists are working doing animal experiments that will enable them to recognize which molecule is effective in animal model of disease and move on to with human trials within the next year or so.

There are a lot of moving parts getting this research to go. What has been the most difficult?

Organizing it is the biggest challenge. We are fortunate to have Dr. Jeff Smith at CSU-Pueblo in charge of research. Passion and enthusiasm makes a difference. I’m very excited for my role as a cheerleader and facilitator.

How soon will we see this research and what should we expect?

We have to wait at least a year before the decision can be made to move forward with human trials.