News

Cannabis Business Coalition Denounces Gov. John Hickenlooper’s Veto of Bill Providing Companies Access to Capital

/in , , /by

Colorado Leads, a cannabis business alliance of more than 50 Colorado companies, denounced Thursday Gov. John Hickenlooper’s veto of HB18-1011, a bipartisan bill which would have provided greater investment flexibility in marijuana businesses and created a more level playing field for the cannabis industry.

The bill, which overwhelmingly passed the state House and Senate last month, balanced the industry’s need to access capital – like any other legal business – with public safety. Prohibited by law from taking standard tax deductions and hamstrung by steep regulatory operating costs, the capital-starved industry viewed the bill as a critical solution.

“The Governor’s disappointing veto not only jeopardizes tens of thousands of jobs but also shows a true lack of respect for the professionals that worked tirelessly during his term to build the safest and most respected cannabis industry in the country,” said Chuck Smith, Colorado Leads Board President and CEO of Dixie Brands, Inc. “We look forward to working with the next governor who will show true leadership by honoring the will of the voters and keep Colorado at the forefront of this vibrant and growing world-wide industry.”

The governor’s veto puts Colorado cannabis companies in a precarious position. Only two other states in the country with legal cannabis prohibit businesses from accessing legitimate capital. Blocking the cannabis industry from accessing capital not only puts companies at an enormous competitive disadvantage, it renounces Colorado’s role as the nation’s cannabis leader.

“Colorado was uniquely positioned to lead the United States cannabis industry. We have a mature market, the best operators, and world class operations. If HB 1011 was not vetoed, investment would have eagerly poured into Colorado to establish the nation’s headquarters of operations, leading the roll-up of the cannabis industry from around the United States,” said Andy Williams, a Colorado Leads board member and Chief Executive of the Denver-based grower and dispensary Medicine Man.

“The jobs and revenue would have been a tremendous boost to our economy. As it is now, Gov. Hickenlooper has opened the door to other states to take that lead from us​. I will most assuredly be looking to move my headquarters to a state that welcomes our industry.”

Under the dome

/in , /by

Another Colorado first?

Lawmakers have sent Gov. John Hickenlooper a first-of-its-kind bill to allow cannabis tasting rooms.

Read the story »

But forget about marijuana delivery and social clubs

Like the floundering attempts to create marijuana social clubs, efforts to test drive cannabis delivery in Colorado stalled out in the Colorado Legislature.

Read the story »

Support for legal cannabis at an all-time high

/in , , /by

Nearly two-thirds of American voters now back legalized marijuana, the highest level of support ever recorded by a Quinnipiac poll. Support for medical marijuana is even higher, at 93 percent, with only about 5 percent of respondents opposed.

The poll also found that 74 percent of Americans support Congress passing a bill similar to the one being proposed by Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., to protect states with legalized marijuana from federal interference.

Read More »

The evolution of Corey Gardner

Westword takes a look at the transformation of Gardner from marijuana opponent to states-rights cannabis advocate.

Read the story »

Hickenlooper comments renew debate over role of marijuana in crime 

/in , , /by

Gov. John Hickenlooper, intentionally or not, stepped into the contentious debate over whether legal marijuana is behind rising crime rates when he said he would consider recriminalizing recreational marijuana if it were indeed proven to be a driving factor. Beyond the sensational headlines, however, the governor said the connection seems unlikely. And Denver Police Commander James Henning says he doubts that the rise in crime stems from cannabis reform, noting the data is inconclusive.

WTVR Story »

More »

Quotable

/in , , /by

“If a marijuana dispensary is burglarized, is that because it was a marijuana dispensary or … if it were a liquor store or a stereo store would it have been burglarized as well?” he said. “The data is so tough to nail down and say this crime happened because of marijuana. It’s just almost impossible to do that.”

Denver Police Commander James Henning

Why Colorado’s governor won’t rule out banning pot again.  Read the Story »

Under the Dome

/in , , /by

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.

KDVR Story »

Grand Junction Sentinel Article »

Headlines

/in , , , , /by

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.

Read the Story »

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.

Read the Story »

Colorado Leads Praises U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) for his Unwavering Leadership on States Rights 

/in , , , /by

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.

Read The Washington Post Story »

Under the Domes

/in , , , , /by

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 »

Diversity is coming to Colorado’s marijuana industry, business leaders and social justice crusaders say »

Colorado lawmakers fail in bid to shield recreational marijuana from feds »

The Good, the Bad and the Fake 

/in , , , /by

First the good …

The first-ever report from Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Institute of Cannabis Research says the marijuana industry has had a net positive economic impact of more than $35 million in Pueblo County. At the same time, researchers say they found little conclusive evidence to support arguments that marijuana legalization has increased homelessness or contributed to other widespread social change.

Read the Story »

Now the bad…

Colorado’s congressional delegation was unable to do an end-run around Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the latest federal funding bill. They and more than a dozen other lawmakers wanted to include a provision to prohibit the Justice Department from cracking down on recreational marijuana use in states where it is legal.

Read the Story »

And the really fake …

If there’s one thing we learned in last year’s elections, you can’t believe everything you read. This month, this old hoax about Colorado McDonald’s restaurants installing marijuana “smoking pods” started making the rounds again. And no, it’s still not true.

Read the Story »