Colorado Leads released the following statement in response to reports that top U.S. health officials are recommending the Drug Enforcement Administration reclassify cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Currently, cannabis is classified under Schedule I, which is reserved for the most dangerous substances that have no medical value and high potential for abuse.
Statement from Chuck Smith, president of the board of directors for Colorado Leads:
“The HHS rescheduling recommendation marks a historic step toward federal cannabis policy reform. For over a decade, Colorado has been demonstrating states’ ability to effectively regulate cannabis for medical and broader adult use, and it’s time for federal law to reflect that reality. State-legal cannabis businesses that create jobs, pay taxes, and provide adults and medical patients with safe and legal access to cannabis deserve to be treated fairly, and this would be a big step in that direction.
“While descheduling would more comprehensively roll back federal prohibition, rescheduling to Schedule III represents meaningful progress that carries significant benefits. It would greatly alleviate the unfair federal tax burden and lack of access to banking and financial services that cannabis businesses have shouldered for years. It would also remove barriers to research that have long prevented us from fully understanding the plant and all of its medical benefits. When it comes to addressing the wide range of criminal justice implications associated with prohibition, Schedule III does not go nearly far enough. But it would help pave the way for those important reforms and reduce the scope of criminal liability that Americans currently face when operating or working for state-legal cannabis companies.”
News
Statement Regarding Historic Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Recommendation
/in Uncategorized /by AdminColorado Leads released the following statement in response to reports that top U.S. health officials are recommending the Drug Enforcement Administration reclassify cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Currently, cannabis is classified under Schedule I, which is reserved for the most dangerous substances that have no medical value and high potential for abuse.
Statement from Chuck Smith, president of the board of directors for Colorado Leads:
“The HHS rescheduling recommendation marks a historic step toward federal cannabis policy reform. For over a decade, Colorado has been demonstrating states’ ability to effectively regulate cannabis for medical and broader adult use, and it’s time for federal law to reflect that reality. State-legal cannabis businesses that create jobs, pay taxes, and provide adults and medical patients with safe and legal access to cannabis deserve to be treated fairly, and this would be a big step in that direction.
“While descheduling would more comprehensively roll back federal prohibition, rescheduling to Schedule III represents meaningful progress that carries significant benefits. It would greatly alleviate the unfair federal tax burden and lack of access to banking and financial services that cannabis businesses have shouldered for years. It would also remove barriers to research that have long prevented us from fully understanding the plant and all of its medical benefits. When it comes to addressing the wide range of criminal justice implications associated with prohibition, Schedule III does not go nearly far enough. But it would help pave the way for those important reforms and reduce the scope of criminal liability that Americans currently face when operating or working for state-legal cannabis companies.”
Statement on the Passage of SB23-271 Regarding Regulation of Intoxicating Hemp-derived Cannabinoids
/in Hemp, Legislation, Uncategorized /by AdminColorado Leads released the following statement on SB23-271 regarding “Intoxicating Cannabinoid Hemp and Marijuana.” The bill prohibits intoxicating hemp-derived products from the Colorado market and clarifies that only marijuana and marijuana-derived products can be intoxicating. It allows for some hemp products to contain THC, with limits on potency, package size, and sales, which will be regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Statement from Chuck Smith, president of the board of directors for Colorado Leads:
“SB23-271 is a product of the stakeholder engagement process that characterizes Colorado’s cannabis policymaking process and has been critical to its success. It prohibits products that are potentially dangerous, while allowing for continued research and development of hemp-derived cannabinoids and products. Most importantly, it prioritizes product safety and regulatory compliance, which are cornerstones of the regulated cannabis industry. Creating a clear line between intoxicating and non-intoxicating products will ensure consumers know what they’re getting and how it will affect them. It will also prevent people under the age of 21 from accessing products with potentially intoxicating levels of THC.
“The regulation of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids is a major policy issue that many states will be grappling with for years to come. By passing SB23-271, Colorado has once again established itself as a national leader on the complex issues facing the legal cannabis industry. In addition to setting an example for other states, it will help drive forward important conversations taking place at the federal level.”
New Member Spotlight: Metrc LLC
/in Uncategorized /by AdminWe are excited to welcome Metrc to Colorado Leads!
Metrc LLC is the most trusted and experienced provider of cannabis regulatory systems in the United States. Its solution combines advanced software, radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, a dedicated customer-support team, and a secure database to track and trace cannabis from growth, harvest, and processing to testing, transport, and sale. Governments contracting with Metrc receive an off-the-shelf software-as-a-service (SaaS) system configured specifically to their needs, and the company’s cloud-based tracking software and securely encoded RFID-enabled tags give regulators full supply-chain visibility. Metrc also provides data management, reporting services, third-party integrator support, cloud hosting, technical updates, along with training and support for users in government and industry.
Colorado Leads member companies include a wide range of licensed cannabis operators and ancillary businesses, and we encourage any organization or individual who shares our vision and mission to consider joining. Visit the Membership section to learn more.
Colorado Leads Welcomes Richard Batenburg, Jr. to the Board of Directors
/in Uncategorized /by AdminRichard is Chairman of the Board and CEO of Clear Cannabis Inc. Additionally, he holds managing positions in BATMANN Consulting, Inc., an operational and strategic consulting company to cannabis- and non-cannabis-related businesses, where he has served as both CEO and President since its founding in March 1997; Redwood Investment Partners LLC, d/b/a Bonsai Cultivation, a cannabis cultivation company, where he has served as the chairman since January 2017; and BB Talent, LLC, a talent management, and production company, where he has been the managing member since its founding in February 2015.
Richard has over 40 years of experience as an entrepreneur and business owner/operator and excels at “end-to-end” processes to help frontline employees deliver products and services to customers. He is author of the book “Change Is Great… Be First!” published by Advantage Media Group in 2016, and he is the founder of many startups in Software, Consumer Goods, and Consulting and Finance in dozens of industries, focusing the past seven years in Cannabis and Hemp. Read more
New Member Spotlight: Clear Cannabis Inc.
/in Members, Uncategorized /by AdminWe are thrilled to welcome Clear Cannabis Inc. to Colorado Leads!
Clear Cannabis Inc. is one of the original cannabis brands founded in 2013 by a team of scientists who introduced molecular distillation to the legal cannabis market and in the process reinvented the cannabis vape category. As a national cannabis brand and licensor of The Clear™ family of brands, including TWAX, ENDO, and Dripcees, products are currently available in 10 cannabis markets and growing throughout the U.S. The company is focused on responsible manufacturing, proprietary formulations, securing widespread distribution, and expanding product lines.
Colorado Leads member companies include a wide range of licensed cannabis operators and ancillary businesses, and we encourage any organization or individual who shares our vision and mission to consider joining. Visit the Membership section to learn more.
New Member Spotlight: PAX
/in Uncategorized /by AdminWe are thrilled to welcome PAX to Colorado to Colorado Leads!
PAX is a leading global cannabis brand on a mission to enhance people’s lives through exceptional cannabis experiences. PAX’s curated set of all natural, full-flavor cannabis products and award-winning devices make enjoying cannabis simple and safe. For more than a decade, PAX has created next-generation devices that deliver enduring quality through innovations in design and technology and remain trusted by millions of consumers nationwide. The PAX brand represents a vision for creating sustainable well-being and building opportunity through cannabis.
Colorado Leads member companies include a wide range of licensed cannabis operators and ancillary businesses, and we encourage any organization or individual who shares our vision and mission to consider joining. Visit the Membership section to learn more.
Colorado Leads Welcomes New Board Member Joe Hodas
/in Members, People /by AdminJoe serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Wana Brands, where he is responsible for generating revenue by creating innovative and refined marketing campaigns for the organization while helping to grow Wana’s brand, market share and customer loyalty. Since joining Wana in 2020, Hodas has been on the team that launched new innovative lines–including Quick, Optimals and Live Rosin Gummies–while expanding Wana’s North American footprint to become a top international cannabis brand. An early professional marketer in the cannabis industry, Hodas drove the marketing strategy for Dixie Elixirs as its first CMO, helping build it into one of the most recognized national marijuana brands. Read more
Colorado Leads-backed “No on 119” Campaign Receives AAPC Campaign Excellence Award
/in Uncategorized /by AdminWe are excited to share that Cannabis Community for Fairness and Safety, our campaign that defeated Colorado Proposition 119, received the American Association of Political Consultants’ Campaign Excellence Award for Ballot Measure Campaign of the Year (Statewide).
From the AAPC:
Read Colorado Leads’ press release after the jump.
Read more
Meet Our Newest Board Member: Stephen Goldman of Kaycha Labs
/in Uncategorized /by AdminAs Chief Science Officer and Lab Director of Kaycha Labs in Colorado, Stephen is primarily focused on research and development, nationwide standardizations and new test development. Specifically, he’s been leading Kaycha’s efforts to develop cannabis vapor testing for metal contamination. Though testing is now required by state regulators, there is no standardized method for testing cannabis emissions. Goldman and Kaycha, however, appear to have successfully developed one, which you can read about here.
Read more
WATCH: Armanino Webinar with Colorado Leads President Chuck Smith
/in Colorado, Webinar /by AdminColorado Leads President Chuck Smith recently joined Leads member Armanino and one of the company’s Denver-based partners, Chris Becze, for a webinar titled, “Evolution of the Budding Cannabis Industry.”
The approximately 60-minute webinar takes a deep dive into the cannabis industry’s historical evolution in Colorado, helping viewers to understand the policies and legislation that surround the industry. It also addresses what’s next for the cannabis industry. Watch the full webinar below.