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LEADership

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.

Upcoming Events

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

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

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

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 »

From the files of wait, WHAT?? 

 

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.”

Read more » 

 

Headlines

Marijuana laws boosting warehouse business 

Integra Realty Resources new Marijuana Real Estate report says demand for grow facilities is changing – and dramatically raising the prices – on warehouse properties.

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Social consumption

Denver issues the country’s first license for public cannabis consumption to the Coffee Joint while lawmakers consider legislation to make tasting rooms legal statewide.

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Sessions backtracking?

Attorney General says federal law enforcement lacks the resources for “routine cases;” will keep its marijuana prosecutorial focus on gangs and larger conspiracies.

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CU looks to public for second mobile lab

University of Colorado researchers turn to crowdfunding to raise money for a second mobile cannabis research lab.

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Under the Dome: Colorado Lawmakers Eyeing Marijuana Laws 

The Colorado Legislature is back, and with it, of course, comes proposals to tweak marijuana laws. One bill aims to make the state more competitive with California and Oregon by […]

Colorado Leaders Unite Against Sessions

Political leaders of all stripes stood strong this month against Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ surprise announcement that he was rescinding  the Obama-era policy that discouraged prosecutors from enforcing federal laws against marijuana in states where it is legal.

The unity among Democrats and Republicans — even one foe of the state referendum that made recreational cannabis legal — is a testament to the success Colorado has had in developing a booming yet responsible and regulated new industry.

Colorado Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate  Cynthia Coffman said in an op-ed for the Washington Post that it’s too late to dismantle the industry. And U.S. Sen. Corey Gardner, R-Colorado, vowed to block Trump’s judicial nominees.


Quotable:

 “I will be putting a hold on every single nomination from the Department of Justice until Attorney General Jeff Sessions lives up to the commitment he made to me in my pre-confirmation meeting with him. The conversation we had that was specifically about this issue of states’ rights in Colorado. Until he lives up to that commitment, I’ll be holding up all nominations of the Department of Justice. The people of Colorado deserve answers. The people of Colorado deserve to be respected.” – U.S. Sen. Corey Gardner, R-Colo.


Here’s what else Colorado politicians had to say   (The Cannabist)


Related headlines:

In The News

Just Say Yes

The New York Times magazine highlights the small Colorado financial institutions that are trying to solve the legal marijuana industry’s banking problems.


Cannabis and women’s health

A new study shows women with children still living at home are the most likely demographic to use marijuana for health and wellness.


2017 marijuana sales break 2016 record

Colorado officials report marijuana sales for the first 11 months surpassed the $1.31 billion recorded during the entirety of 2016. But the once astronomical sales growth rates are beginning to hit a more realistic pace.


Colorado Speaker of the House Crisanta Duran and Colorado Leads members met this month to talk about ways the cannabis industry can expand on its partnerships with state and local leaders to educate the public about Colorado’s responsible marijuana regulations. Colorado’s rules and regulations have become a model for the nation.

Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) on Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ marijuana policy change (C-SPAN)

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) on Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ marijuana policy change: “I will be holding all nominations for the Department of Justice. The people of Colorado deserve answers.” Watch complete Senate session here: http://cs.pn/2Cnyx3j