News

Headlines

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Polis underscores support for cannabis initiatives with inaugural program

The new Colorado governor had his ceremonial schedule printed on hemp paper.

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Julian Castro supports state’s rights on cannabis

Presidential candidates says “growing evidence from Colorado and other states suggests we can sensibly legalize marijuana use with reasonable controls in place. State voters should have that power.”

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New Congress, new cannabis caucus

With Gov. Jared Polis’s departure from Congress, the caucus will be led by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon,  Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California, Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, and Rep. Don Young, R-Arkansas.

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Legal cannabis five years later

Retail cannabis sales are booming in Colorado, and so are the state coffers. But much of the bad predicted to accompany legal sales have not materialized. Alternet looks at five impacts the industry has had in Colorado.

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Yes, we’re in Colorado but “Florida Man” news is always entertaining 

A Florida man is in jail for trying to pay for his food at a McDonald’s drive-thru with a bag of marijuana.

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With Sessions out, industry exhales collective sigh of relief

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The departure of Attorney General Jeff Sessions has sent cannabis stocks rising and calmed states an industry on edge from his tough anti-marijuana rhetoric. While acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker hasn’t taken a stand on the issue, marijuana advocates are hopeful they have  escaped the toughest scrutiny.

LA Times Article »

Jared Polis not only expressed support for the marijuana industry in his successful bid for Colorado governor, he made it part of his strategy to win.

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How Jared Polis won»

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Legal marijuana wins big in other states….

The growing public support for legal marijuana was evident at the polls this month as Michigan became the 10th state to legalize adult use and sales. Voters in Missouri and Utah approved the legal use of medical cannabis. And more than a  than a half dozen states elected governors who support legal cannabis.

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That’s good news for Colorado companies like Colorado Leads member Wana Brands, which expects to be in six additional states next year.

Read the KDVR story »

And then there were none….Sessions that is.

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Both U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and  Republican Pete Sessions of Texas, the chairman of the House Rules Committee who’s been blocking votes on cannabis amendments are both out

LEADership

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With the ouster of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, vows to continue efforts to ensure the Trump Administration does not interfere with state laws legalizing cannabis use.

“Whoever comes after him is going to face some pretty tough questions about where they stand on states’ rights and making sure they will stand up for states’ rights,” Gardner told the Denver Post.  I am going to demand that the new attorney general side with the president because the president is right on states’ rights.”

Read the Denver Post story »

Headlines

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O Canada

Native Roots among Colorado companies expanding to Canada. 

Denver Channel Story »
CBS Local Story »

Senior moments

Study looks at habits of older cannabis consumers.

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Marijuana Champ

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner was named one of the top five best in the senate on the issue of marijuana policy by Forbes.  See who the other four are here.

Forbes Article »

Canada, cannabis and tourism

All eyes have been on Canada the past few weeks as it becomes the second and largest country to  legalize cannabis. That will have huge implications for its economy, including tourism. CBC Radio talked with Colorado’s Sean Roby about the tourism potential and the how cannabis-friendly bed and breakfasts can compete with Airbnb. Roby is the founder and CEO of Bud and Breakfast, a Colorado-based company that provides lodging and curated travel experiences for pot-loving tourists in Canada the United States and around the world.

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Pueblo’s national cannabis rep 

Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace has joined the board of the board of the national Marijuana Policy Project’s board of directors.

Westword Article »

Social clubs

City councilor expects little change to onerous rules. 

Westword Article »

Change brings more change 

The industry’s watchdog, the state Marijuana Enforcement Division, updates its rules and regulations every year in hopes of catching up with the expanding field.  See what four rules are about to change. 

Westword Article »

Let the good times roll …

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Despite predictions that cannabis demand in Colorado would begin to level off,  sales as of August had already topped $1 billion, the earliest point reaching that mark since adult use was legalized four years ago.

That translates to $200 million in tax revenue. It also puts the state on track to to break last year’s record of more than $1.5 billion in sales. 

Denver Post Article »

With the election a week away, please look at The Gazette’s editorial on Amendment 74.  The editorial board reversed its position supporting it after the members realized the unintended consequences would pave the way “for expensive, frivolous and opportunistic litigation.” It also may open the door to suing local government over its zoning laws for retail and industrial operations. 

Gazette Article »

Mixed Signals

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From the White House

The conflicts between state and federal law over adult cannabis use are confusing at best. Add in an unpredictable presidential administration, and it can be difficult to know who or what to believe. This summer, Buzzfeed reported that the White House had created a special marijuana committee, which had asked agencies to submit “data demonstrating the most significant negative trends” about marijuana and its national “threats.” Add in the recent comments by Colorado U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer about Colorado’s cannabis industry needing more scrutiny and it’s easy to see why some businesses might be getting nervous. The good news is that while the administration has confirmed a special marijuana policy panel has indeed been created, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennett says the White House drug office has assured him it will be objective and dispassionate.

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Interesting Listening

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Colorado Public Radio talks about the culture shift that has put marijuana up with immigration and the economy as a top issue in the midterms.

Tune In »