Quotable
“Our philosophy is that cannabis is a tool, one of many healing tools. It should be part and parcel of an overall treatment plan,”
~ Donna Shields, co-founder of the Holistic Cannabis Academy in Boulder, Colorado.
News
Support for legal cannabis at an all-time high
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.
The evolution of Corey Gardner
Westword takes a look at the transformation of Gardner from marijuana opponent to states-rights cannabis advocate.
Quotable
“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
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.
Headlines
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.
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
Food for thought?
I’ll take some cannabis with that run
Some runners say cannabis and cannabis products make their long runs more enjoyable.
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.