The Colorado proposal that was to limit THC content in marijuana, and ban a number of psilocybin-containing products has been withdrawn by the sponsor.
Judy Amabile, (D), asked Tuesday’s Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee members to put off SB25-076, the bill that would have amended laws regarding cannabis and psychedelics. The bill would have, among other things, limited the THC content of inhaled marijuana at 10 milligrams a serving and 500mg a package.
Packaging for marijuana would have had to be color coded for THC concentration: orange or yellow for THC levels between 15 and 50%, and red for THC over 50 percent.
This measure also would have limited the amount of THC in products that are available for people under 25 years old, and capped it at 10%.
Committee members voted 6–0 in favor of the motion to postpone the bill indefinitely, with one member excused.
The legislation, which would apply to psychedelics (also known as “natural medicine” under Colorado law), prohibited production and sales of candy, gummies and chocolates infused with psilocybin, along with products that contain an additional flavor or sweetness. Packaging would have had to display a symbol that represents natural medicine.
The bill would have also required state regulators to develop requirements to collect data and report adverse effects related natural medicine. This category currently includes only DMT and psilocin. However, it could expand in the future to include ibogaine, mescaline and DMT.
The proposal, in addition to Amabile’s sponsoring, was also sponsored by Senator Byron Pelton and Rep. Kyle Brown.
Amabile said to Colorado Public Radio ahead of the hearing there has been “a huge reaction” since the bill’s introduction. She added that sponsors have made changes to present “a much smaller plan,” but she felt that criticisms were “misguided.”
She added at the Tuesday hearing that, “I’ve received incredible, personal, vicious and mean emails regarding this bill.”
The panelist said that “hundreds of parents” wanted to testify and share their experiences, but they didn’t wish to do so for a law that, as this committee was clear, had little chance of passing.
Amabile said, “That’s sad and maddening, as I had hoped people would be able walk in these families’ shoes.”
On the adult market, most of the marijuana flower is between 10% and 25% THC. Concentrates are much more potent.
Amabile stated that a number of people have suffered from psychosis and schizoaffective disorders in Colorado since the legalization. Amabile told CPR: “We have made great progress over the last couple of years.” SB25-076, she said, is just “another step in the right direction to regulate the industry smartly.”
She said, “I have no desire to make anything illegal or go back to the prohibition.” “I want us to proceed in a thoughtful way.”
Amabile stated that at the hearing her son had been diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder. She said, “I wanted to protect my son, but it was impossible because the product is everywhere.”
Jon Spadafora – founder and CEO Flower Union Brands – said the plan would harm Colorado’s businesses.
The packaging is childproof, but the purchasing process can be difficult. There are also purchase restrictions. I do not think edibles in the hands of children would cause as many problems as closing companies or losing jobs.
Spadafora noted also that the majority of products list THC content on their packaging.
I’m a big fan of communication with the client. It’s important to me,” he stated. But as I looked at the numbers, I didn’t think that there was a lot of useful information for consumers.
The cannabis industry has seen an upsurge in initiatives to reverse drug reforms in all parts of the country.
Paul Armentano wrote, in a recent op/ed for MEDCAN24, that legislators in red and blue states are increasing restrictions:
Republicans in states such as Montana, Nebraska Ohio South Dakota are trying to roll back or repeal voter approved legalization laws. California, Maryland Michigan and New Jersey are Democrat led states that have been trying to overtax marijuana by drastically increasing taxes.
Armentano wrote in every case that “elected officials were treating cannabis users as targets and not constituents.”
South Dakota legislators, for example attempted this year to repeal an approved medical marijuana law. Nebraska officials consider legislation which would reverse the state’s voters-approved reform of medical cannabis.
Ohio legislators are moving ahead with a new resolution that will limit the home cultivation of marijuana, cap THC concentration and ban sharing between adults.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat from New Jersey, has proposed doubling the tax on cannabis. In Maryland’s budget plan for 2019, retail marijuana sales taxes would be almost doubled.
In Montana, two controversial bills on cannabis also passed earlier in the month. The first would have set an upper limit of 15 percent THC to all marijuana-based products. And, secondly, it would require adults to get a license worth $200 each year for them to be able to consume recreational cannabis.
At the local level in Colorado, two residents of Colorado Springs are suing the city over a measure set for April’s ballot that would overturn a recent voter-approved ordinance to allow recreational marijuana sales.
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