News

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 »

Upcoming Events

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Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

Marijuana Management Symposium
Visit »

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.

More »

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.

More »

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 »

Law and Order…

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New Colorado U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn sworn in.  He has not yet publicly discussed his approach to marijuana enforcement.

Colorado Sun Article »

Meanwhile… 

Outgoing Colorado U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer hears crickets…. 
CPR Piece»

Quotable

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“I recently spent time traveling the entire state of Colorado, paying little in sales taxes, and I noted that the roads — from Pueblo to Longmont to Estes Park — had few bumps or potholes. In addition, all the streetlights seemed to be lit, there were flowers in each city, and things were just so nice.

Colorado pays for such things with huge taxes from pot distributors. And it works!”

Duluth News Tribune reader Lisa Lou Dunaiski»

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 »

From the baseline …

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The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice released a baseline report on the impacts of marijuana legalization Friday. Colorado Leads is working on a summary so you don’t have to read the entire 266-page report. But if you want to, you can find it here.

“We now have that ever-critical baseline from which we can spot trends so Colorado’s leaders understand where our efforts are succeeding and identify areas where we need to focus additional research, resources or even new policy,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper.

More on this…

Colorado’s anticipated marijuana report details youth usage, driving and crime over the last 5 years

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.

Read More »

And More »

And in the Airports

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The difference in state and federal laws is also creating confusion for air travelers. Can they or can they not carry legal amounts through airports in states where adult use is legal? Well, once again, that depends. While Colorado law makes it illegal to carry at DIA, LAX has made it perfectly clear its passengers are welcome to travel with their legal amounts of personal cannabis.

Read the Story »

Bulletin Board

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Colorado Leads member Native Roots is holding four industry fundraisers for Jared Polis for Governor. They are requesting volunteers in the following regions and dates from 10 am-12:30 pm:

  • Saturday, October 20th – Denver Canvass Launch
  • Sunday, October 21st – Boulder County Canvass Launch
  • Saturday, October 27th – Colorado Springs Canvass Launch
  • Sunday, October 28th – Mountain (Summit County) Canvass Launch

Please contact Shannon Fender at shannon.fender@nativerootsdispensary.com if you are interested!