Posts

News

Colorado Leads Welcomes
U.S. Senator Cory Gardner

/in , /by

Colorado Leads members last week met with U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, who introduced the STATES Act with Massachusetts Democrat U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. The bill would amend the Controlled Substances Act so states have the right to decide whether to legalize marijuana without facing repercussions from federal law enforcement.  

Gardner noted that the winds of change are moving slowly through Congress, but they are blowing in the right direction.  Senators who wouldn’t touch the issue a year or two ago are now open to discussing it. 

Gardner is also a co-sponsor of the SAFE Banking Act, which would prevent federal banking regulators from prosecuting banks for working with cannabis-related businesses that comply with state laws.

Moving onto Congress…

/in , , /by

Colorado senators lead way on legalization of marijuana

U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet take the lead on the STATES Act and the SAFE Banking Act. 

Read More »

Colorado elected leaders say it’s not okay to build a moral wall keeping out cannabis workers

Four Colorado Congressional Members wrote to the heads of the Department of Justice and Homeland Security about the policy that punishes immigrants for allegedly not having “good moral character” as a result of working in the marijuana industry.

LEADership

/in , , /by

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 »

The changing politics of marijuana

/in , , /by

Nothing’s ever certain when it comes to politics, a fact that has become increasingly clear in recent weeks both at home and in Washington, D.C.

Here in Colorado Gov. Joh Hickenlooper, long considered supportive of the strictly-regulated marijuana industry, vetoed three industry-backed measures – including one that allowed for increased capital infusions into the state, which is crucial for keeping the industry growing in the state. It was a disappointing veto that not only jeopardizes tens of thousands of jobs but also ignores the professionals that worked tirelessly during his term to build the safest and most respected cannabis industry in the country.

Representatives from the cannabis industry expressed their discontent with the vetoes at a press conference.  Three Colorado Leads members are quoted here. 

Read the Story »

 

Meanwhile in Washington, D.C., U.S.  Sen.  Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, introduced a bill that would protect the cannabis industry from uncertain federal enforcement policies.

“It’s time that we take this industry out of the shadows,” Gardner said. 

Read the Story »

 

Colorado Leaders Unite Against Sessions

/in , , /by

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:

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

/in , , /by

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