A new bill in Colorado aims to double the daily marijuana purchase limits, a move supporters believe could benefit an industry facing financial challenges. The legislation has passed out of the state House despite objections from law enforcement, mental health organizations, and concerned parents, all of whom fear it may lead to increased diversion to the black market.
During a recent legislative session, a mother named Sharon Alvarez shared her distressing experience with her 16-year-old son, who has developed an addiction to high-potency marijuana. She revealed that he is currently in a diversion program for theft and has faced suspensions for having THC vapes at school. Alvarez expressed her concern, noting that despite her efforts, her son has never visited a dispensary, indicating that he acquires these products through other means.
In contrast, the bill’s sponsors highlighted findings from the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, which indicate that marijuana use among high schoolers has actually decreased since legalization. The survey reported that 12.8 percent of high school students used marijuana in the past month, a significant drop from 20.6 percent in 2019.
House Bill 1209, titled “Marijuana Regulation Streamline,” seeks to alleviate some of the stringent regulatory burdens that marijuana growers and sellers face. Even though the sponsors acknowledged the bill’s complexity, they argued that it would help reduce unnecessary costs for an industry struggling financially.
Key changes proposed in the bill include a reduction in the number of surveillance cameras required in cannabis businesses. Lawmakers were surprised to learn of the extensive camera coverage needed during their tours of grow houses. Additionally, the bill aims to simplify background check requirements for employees and digitize parts of the regulatory process.
Colorado was the first state to implement laws for recreational marijuana sales over a decade ago. Rep. William Lindstedt, a sponsor of the bill, emphasized the need for change, warning that Colorado risks becoming the first state to fail in recreational sales if current trends continue. He pointed out that the challenging regulatory environment is driving marijuana jobs out of state and decreasing tax revenues that support essential programs, including school construction and mental health services.
Chuck Smith from Colorado Leads, a trade group representing the marijuana industry, echoed this sentiment during a committee hearing. He noted that the stringent regulations made sense at the beginning but have not resulted in the expected issues. Smith stressed that the industry is currently experiencing its longest sales downturn since legalization, with total cannabis sales falling to $1.4 billion last year, a 37 percent decrease from the $2.2 billion peak in 2021. He also mentioned that over 15,000 jobs have been lost in the industry over the past four years, asserting that easing regulations could help stabilize businesses and assist state authorities.
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