State legislators only considered a few bills related to cannabis this year, but the one they passed has wide-spanning effects.Marijuana dispensaries could start resembling convenience stores now that lawmakers have passed a bill that would significantly change industry regulations., would have wide-ranging effects.
Bradley's organization, one of the state's largest marijuana trade groups, was a driving factor behind the bill. Although he wishes more of its original language remained, Bradley believes the positive outcome will still helpOther language in the bill would allow marijuana growers to sell seeds, clones and genetic material with less than 0.3 percent THC to"authorized' consumers in and outside of Colorado.
The bill also streamlines licensing for owners of multiple marijuana businesses, changes license renewal from an annual requirement to once every two years and, starting in 2027, allows the MED to track marijuana production without individual tags for each plant, a rule that has engendered manyremove a labeling requirement for marijuana that failed contaminant testing
Social equity advocates were able to push through their amendment on May 7, just one day before the 2024 legislative session ended. Currently, a marijuana business owner can qualify for a social equity license — and the reduced application fees, potential grants and licensing priority that come with it — if they have a past arrest for marijuana, but a conviction isn't required; having an immediate family member with a marijuana arrest would also qualify.
"You actually have to have participated in low-income programs, so you can't get in through taxes. ...It's too easy for people to manipulate their income. Some can choose to take no income, but get paid through investments," Walsh says."An arrest with no conviction was another way. More privileged people are able to evade conviction in a system because they have access to greater legal resources.