Denver Police Commander James Henning
Why Colorado’s governor won’t rule out banning pot again. Read the Story »
Bills to allow cannabis delivery and dosing of medical marijuana at schools advance
Measure to allow dispensaries to deliver marijuana has passed House and awaits Senate approval
House endorses bill to let school nurses give students medical marijuana.
Denver considers pot tax hike for affordable housing
The city’s 3.5 percent special tax on adult marijuana sales would increase to 5.5 percent, still far below the 15 percent threshold approved by voters several years ago.
Dispensary competition heats up in Aspen
Two established Colorado cannabis retailers seek to compete in Aspen’s Durant Mall. The move would bring to seven the number of marijuana shops in the ski town.
Sen. Gardner wins major concessions from Trump on legal cannabis
Thanks to the leadership and tireless efforts of Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., President Donald Trump has walked back his administration’s talk of repealing an Obama-era policy against enforcing federal marijuana laws in states where cannabis has been legalized by voters.
Through conversations with President Trump, Gardner was assured that Colorado’s marijuana industry won’t be targeted by the federal government and that the President will support a legislative solution that makes clear the federal government cannot interfere with states that have legalized marijuana.
Colorado Leads Board President Chuck Smith, quoted in The Denver Post, says the change clears a huge hurdle for the industry – which employs thousands of people and contributes millions of dollars to the state and local economies – and enables it to now focus on banking and 280E reform.
April 26
Q2 Cannabis Caucus Event Series – Boulder
April 26-28
The Institute of Cannabis Research at Colorado State University-Pueblo holds its second annual international cannabis research conference on the CSU-Pueblo campus.
May 21-23
Join NCIA in Washington, D.C., for NCIA’s 8th Annual Cannabis Industry Lobby Days
I’ll take some cannabis with that run
Some runners say cannabis and cannabis products make their long runs more enjoyable.
Denver – Colorado Leads, a cannabis business alliance of over 50 Colorado companies, thanked U.S. Sen Cory Gardner Friday for his unwavering leadership in fighting for state rights and ensuring a reliable business climate for Colorado’s responsible cannabis industry.
Through conversations with President Trump, Gardner was assured that Colorado’s marijuana industry won’t be targeted by the federal government and that the President will support a legislative solution that makes clear the federal government cannot interfere with states that have legalized marijuana.
“We applaud Sen. Gardner’s leadership and his tireless efforts to provide certainty for the state’s cannabis industry, which employs thousands of people and contributes millions of dollars to the state and local economies,” said Chuck Smith, Board President of Colorado Leads. “We are also fortunate to have state elected officials, like Gov. John Hickenlooper, who have supported cannabis companies and worked with us to create a responsible and strictly regulated industry, which is considered the model for other states.”
“Today’s announcement clears a huge hurdle for our industry,” Smith continued. “Our focus must now be on banking and 280E reform. Conquering these issues will support responsible growth of the industry and further ensure public safety.”
The cannabis industry is the fastest-growing business sector in the state creating more than 39,000 direct jobs and an economic impact of $2.4 billion. In 2017 alone, the marijuana industry generated $226 million in taxes and fees, and over the past four years, $639 million in taxes and fees has been collected, The tax money has gone towards school construction projects and mental and behavioral health services, as well as to local governments that have used the tax money for new streets, homelessness programs college scholarships.
Cannabis-related bills are keeping Colorado lawmakers busy this session. Still in the mix are bills that would authorize marijuana as a treatment for autistic children, another that would let pharmacies sell CBD oil and one to let nurses administer medical marijuana to students.
In Washington, Congress rejected attempts by Colorado’s senators lawmakers to include protections for the recreational marijuana industry in the recently passed $1.3 trillion plan to fund the federal government through the end of September.
But anything is far from final.
CBD could be in the fast lane to Colorado pharmacies »
Colorado could allow people — including kids — with autism to use medical marijuana »
Colorado lawmakers fail in bid to shield recreational marijuana from feds »
The Republican former Speaker of the House has joined the advisory board of Acreage Holdings, a company that cultivates, processes and dispenses cannabis in 11 U.S. states. Boehner’s endorsement, after saying nine years ago he was “unalterably opposed” to legalization, could be considered a watershed event: Marijuana has gone mainstream.
“Over the last 10 or 15 years, the American people’s attitudes have changed dramatically,” he said in an interview. “I find myself in that same position.”
Science backing cannabis benefits continues to growThe latest comes from the esteemed Journal of the American Medical Association, Internal Medicine, which published a pair of new studies showing legal cannabis access reduces opioid abuse.
Pot over pop?The cannabis industry is already four times bigger than tobacco, closing in on wheat and expected to soon surpass soda sales.
Filling the pot holes
With road construction season on the horizon, Denver says cannabis revenue will enable the city to repave an extra 50 blocks.
Two new towns legalize recreational cannabis
Voters in Naturita and Berthoud have approved the sale of recreational marijuana.
Craft brewer adds a cannabis twist
The brew master behind Blue Moon craft beer substitutes THC for alcohol in new brew.