Colorado legislators have sent to Governor a bill that will make changes to Colorado’s Marijuana laws. This includes revisions for more people to participate in the cannabis industry, and reducing certain regulatory requirements on cannabis businesses.
The measure introduced by Reps. William Lindstedt and Jenny Willford, as well as Senators. Julie Gonzales and Robert Rodriguez were significantly changed during the legislative process. They removed provisions that allowed licensed cannabis retailers to host promotional events and double the amount of pot adults can buy.
The conference report was approved as amended by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, 43-22 and the Senate Tuesday 18-16.
It comes four years after the former governor. Jared Polis (D) signed into law a bill to increase the personal possession limit to two ounces. The sales limit would have aligned if the latest bill was passed.
The bill that is now on its way to the Governor’s desk will allow any employee of a cannabis retailer who has a occupational license to receive up to twenty samples per month.
The bill would also change the reporting obligations for licensees of marijuana, requiring that they adopt regulations to ensure that licensees have documents, such as certifications on childproof packaging, records about testing, records regarding recalls, records concerning advertising, and standard operating procedures.
It states that “if a licensee is required to keep books and records for the Seed-to-Sale Inventory Tracking System, the licensee does not need duplicate copies.” If a licensee is not complying with the regulatory requirements in a substantial way, then the division can require that the licensee maintain more records.
Bill would repeal state law which makes it illegal to hold a non-disclosed beneficial control, passive ownership or indirect financial interests in a cannabis licence or transfer ownership without approval.
Chuck Smith (CEO of Colorado Leads), an industry association for the Colorado marijuana industry, stated in a release that “we commend legislators who have taken action to eliminate unnecessary red tape, and modernize regulation so they reflect better the maturity, professionalism, and sophistication of the Colorado industry.”
This legislation will provide a meaningful relief in terms of regulatory burdens for cannabis business licensees across the State by eliminating redundant and outdated requirements, which are no longer serving a public purpose. The bill also allows state regulators to save money and improve efficiency, so that they can spend more time on youth prevention and product quality.
This bipartisan, forward-thinking legislation shows how marijuana policy can be developed thoughtfully. It ensures that oversight is strong, while also easing burdens for government and the market. This is an important step in maintaining Colorado as a leader on the global stage for cannabis business and policy.
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Colorado’s legislature approved recently a bill that would allow the governor to pardon people convicted for psychedelic-related crimes. The law also revised the implementation rules, data tracking provisions and the 2022 voter-approved legalization of psychedelics in the state.
Also last month, the governor signed into law a bill that would allow a form of psilocybin to be prescribed as a medication if the federal government authorizes its use.
Colorado had already approved a ballot measure that legalized the use of psilocybin for adults aged 21 or older. However, the recently enacted reform makes it possible to obtain drugs synthesized with an isolated form of psilocybin.
As of January, meanwhile, Colorado regulars have been authorized to approve licenses for psilocybin service centers where adults can access the psychedelic in controlled settings.
The governor signed a bill to create the regulatory framework for legal psychedelics in 2023.
Separately in Colorado, a bill that would have limited THC in marijuana and outlawed a variety of psilocybin products will no longer move forward this session following the lead sponsor’s move to withdraw the bill.
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