Source: https://www.messner.com/cannabis-law
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 04:14:45+00:00

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--Adds PTSD to the list of debilitating medical conditions allowing for medical marijuana.
-adds marijuana research and development licenses and marijuana research and development cultivation licenses, allowing for application requirements; renewal requirements (including whether additional research projects may be added or considered); considerations for revocation; security requirements; amount of plants, useable marijuana, concentrates, or MIPs a licensee may have; reporting requirements; conditions under which marijuana possessed by a medical marijuana licensee may donate to research and development licensees; provisions to prevent contamination; and requirements for disposal.
As part of the application, the applicant has to provide a description of the research the applicant intends to conduct and whether the research will be part of a public institution or using public money. If research is not being conducted with a public institution or with public money, the MED shall grant the application if it determines the application means the above purposes.
If the scientific advisory council determines that the research project does not meet the requirements, the application is to be denied.
A marijuana research and development cultivation licensee may only transfer, by sale or donation, marijuana grown within its operation to other marijuana research and development licensees or marijuana research and development cultivation licensees.
-the scientific advisory council, where applicable, will review reports made by this type of licensee to determine if they continue to meet research qualifications.
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-405: adds language to allow a medical marijuana testing facility to be issued to a person who performs testing and research on medical marijuana for medical marijuana licensees, medical marijuana and medical marijuana-infused products for marijuana and research development licensees and marijuana research and development cultivation licensees, and marijuana and marijuana-infused products grown or produced by registered patient or registered caregivers on behalf of a registered patient; upon verification of registration (C.R.S. § 25-1.5-106(7)(e) and verification that the patient is a participant in a clinical or observation study conducted by a marijuana research and development/cultivation licensee.
-State, Local, or Municipal agency shall not employ or use the results of any test of medical marijuana or medical MIP products conducted by an analytical laboratory that is NOT certified pursuant to this subsection for the particular testing category and accredited to the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission Standard, or any superseding standard in that field.
C.R.S. § 12-43.4-202: adds language allowing for the same as 12-43.3-202 (section directly above), but for retail.
This Bill becomes effective the day following the expiration of the 90-day period after final adjournment of the GA (August 9, 2017), if sine die is May 10, 2017, except if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to the constitution. SENT TO GOVERNOR.
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-202 and C.R.S. §12-43.4-202-allows the MED to grant or refuse state licenses, whether active, expires, or surrendered, upon a violation.
C.R.S. § 12-43.4-202(3)(a)(IV)(C) is amended to allow a licensee to retest product and if the second test indicates presence of quantities of any substance determined to be injurious to health then the licensee can remediate the product if the test indicated the presence of microbial. If two additional tests do not indicate the presence of quantities of any substance determined to be injurious to health, the product can be used or sold. If the product cannot be remediated, it must be destroyed.
C.R.S. § 39-28.8-101: Average Market Rate definition is amended to be based on quarterly numbers of all unprocessed retail marijuana: MEANS THE AVERAGE PRICE, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, OF ALL UNPROCESSED RETAIL MARIJUANA THAT IS SOLD OR TRANSFERRED FROM RETAIL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION FACILITIES IN THE STATE TO RETAIL MARIJUANA PRODUCT MANUFACTURING FACILITIES OR RETAIL MARIJUANA STORES, LESS TAXES PAID ON THE SALES OR TRANSFERS. AN "AVERAGE MARKET RATE" MAY BE BASED ON THE PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE OF UNPROCESSED RETAIL MARIJUANA OR ON THE NATURE OF THE UNPROCESSED RETAIL MARIJUANA THAT IS SOLD OR TRANSFERRED. THE "AVERAGE MARKET RATE" MUST INCLUDE ONE OR MORE RATES THAT COVER UNPROCESSED MARIJUANA THAT IS ALLOCATED TO EXTRACTIONS, AND THE INITIAL RATES FOR THESE PRODUCT TYPES MUST BE LOWER THAN THE RATE FOR UNPROCESSED MARIJUANA THAT IS ALLOCATED FOR DIRECT SALE TO CONSUMERS.
Added: Affiliated Marijuana Business Licensees: Defined as: "AFFILIATED MARIJUANA BUSINESS LICENSEES" MEANS MARIJUANA BUSINESS LICENSEES THAT ARE OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE SAME OR RELATED INTERESTS, WHERE "RELATED INTERESTS" INCLUDES INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE RELATED BY BLOOD OR MARRIAGE OR ENTITIES THAT ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CONTROLLED BY AN ENTITY OR INDIVIDUAL OR RELATED INDIVIDUALS.
Added: Contract Price: MEANS THE INVOICE PRICE CHARGED BY A RETAIL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION FACILITY TO EACH LICENSED PURCHASER FOR EACH SALE OR TRANSFER OF UNPROCESSED RETAIL MARIJUANA, EXCLUSIVE OF ANY TAX THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE WRITTEN INVOICE PRICE, AND EXCLUSIVE OF ANY DISCOUNT OR OTHER REDUCTION. IN THE CASE OF MULTIPLE INVOICES REFLECTING MULTIPLE PRICES FOR THE SAME TRANSACTION, "CONTRACT PRICE" IS THE HIGHEST SUCH PRICE.
C.R.S. § 39-28.8-302: Changes excise tax issues, and adds that the fifteen percent of the average market rate of the unprocessed retail marijuana by a retail marijuana cultivation facility at a rate of fifteen percent of the average market rate of the unprocessed retail marijuana IF THE TRANSACTION IS BETWEEN AFFILIATED RETAIL MARIJUANA BUSINESS LICENSEES. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (1)(b) OF THIS SECTION, THERE IS LEVIED AND SHALL BE COLLECTED, IN ADDITION TO THE SALES TAX IMPOSED PURSUANT TO PART 1 OF ARTICLE 26 OF THIS TITLE 39 AND PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE 28.8, A TAX ON THE FIRST SALE OR TRANSFER OF UNPROCESSED RETAIL MARIJUANA BY A RETAIL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION FACILITY, AT A RATE OF FIFTEEN PERCENT OF THE CONTRACT PRICE FOR UNPROCESSED RETAIL MARIJUANA IF THE TRANSACTION IS BETWEEN UNAFFILIATED RETAIL MARIJUANA BUSINESS LICENSEES, between cultivations licensees, stores, and MIPS, but removes language regarding other retail marijuana cultivation facilities.
C.R.S. § 29-2-114/32-1-1004: edits the language regarding local excise taxes and requires the local excise tax to be based on the average market rate of unprocessed MJ, and cannot exceed 5%.
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-301: adds the ability for local licensing authorities to issue licenses for a Medical Marijuana Business Operator License.
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-402: Amended to allow a medical marijuana licensee to purchase A PERCENTAGE (removed not more than 30%) of its total on-hand inventory of medical marijuana from another licensed medical marijuana center in Colorado. A medical marijuana center may sell A PERCENTAGE (removed no more than 30%) to another Colorado licensed medical marijuana license. Added: the state licensing authority shall set the percentage in rule, but the percentage shall not be set any lower than thirty percent. Also, adds language to allow a medical marijuana center to transfer marijuana to another medical marijuana center or medical marijuana-infused product manufacturer if all direct beneficial owners of the licensed business are the same.
This will take effect on 12:01 on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the GA (Aug. 9, 2017) if adjournment is May 10, 2017, except if there is a referendum petition filed.
12-43.3-202: Changed to allow a licensee the opportunity to remediate product if tests indicate the presence of a microbial. If the product cannot be remediated, the product is to be destroyed.
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-404: Amended to allow a Medical MIP to purchase medical marijuana from another medical MIP licensee. Requires the same tracking as all marijuana laws. Still requires a contract with a medical marijuana center and adds the requirement for transfers from a medical MIP, setting forth the amount of medical marijuana to be obtained and used. Merely adds Medical MIPs to be added to the law with MMCs for transfers of product.
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-104: Adds the following definition: "MARIJUANA-BASED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OR TRAINING PROGRAM" MEANS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TRAIN INDIVIDUALS TO WORK IN THE LEGAL MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY OPERATED BY AN ENTITY LICENSED UNDER THIS ARTICLE 43.3 OR BY A SCHOOL THAT IS AUTHORIZED BY THE DIVISION OF PRIVATE OCCUPATIONAL SCHOOLS.
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-401: Occupational licenses and registrations are allowed for applicants in a marijuana-based workforce development or training program operated by an entity licensed under the medical marijuana code or by a school that I authorized by the division of private occupational schools in Colorado that will require access or employment within a licensed premises, and the MED may exempt for up to 2 years based on the length of the program, the residency requirement in 12-43.3-310(6) for one of these applicant (students).
C.R.S. § 12-43.4-401: Occupational licenses and registrations are allowed for applicants in a marijuana-based workforce development or training program operated by an entity licensed under the retail marijuana code or by a school that I authorized by the division of private occupational schools in Colorado that will require access or employment within a licensed premises, and the MED may exempt for up to 2 years based on the length of the program, the residency requirement in 12-43.3-310(6) for one of these applicant (students).
To take effect 12:01 on the day following the expiration of the 90-day period after final adjournment of the GA (August 9, 2017) if sine die is May 10, except if a referendum petition is filed.
C.R.S. § 18-18-406.4: Unlawful advertising of marijuana-exception. Adds: “A PERSON WHO IS NOT LICENSED TO SELL MEDICAL MARIJUANA PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 43.3 OF TITLE 12 OR RETAIL MARIJUANA PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 43.4 OF TITLE 12, OR PURSUANT TO THE LAWS REGARDING MEDICAL OR RETAIL MARIJUANA UNDER THE LAWS OF ANOTHER STATE, WHO KNOWINGLY ADVERTISES IN A NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINE, HANDBILL, OR OTHER PUBLICATION OR ON THE INTERNET THE UNLAWFUL SALE OF MARIJUANA, MARIJUANA CONCENTRATE, OR A MARIJUANA-INFUSED PRODUCT BY A PERSON NOT LICENSED TO SELL MARIJUANA, MARIJUANA CONCENTRATE, OR A MARIJUANA-INFUSED PRODUCT COMMITS A LEVEL 2 DRUG MISDEMEANOR.” But, this does not apply to caregivers who advertise that they are available to be a primary caregiver to a patient as defined in the Colo. Constitution. This takes effect Set. 1, 2017, except if a referendum petition is filed.
Under current law, if test results of marijuana indicate the presence of banned substances, the licensee shall immediately quarantine the products, notify the state licensing authority, and then the chance to remediate is given before destruction of the product. The change under this bill, is that a licensee is given a chance to retest the marijuana before remediation, and if two additional tests do not indicate the banned substances, then the product may be used or sold.
Next, under current law, the average market rate for purposes of excise tax collection on retail marijuana is determined every 6 months, based on all unprocessed retail marijuana sold/transferred from retail cultivation facilities to retail product manufacturing facilities or retail stores, less any taxes paid on the sale/transfers. Under this new bill, the average market rate is to be calculated every 3 months, and there will be multiple average market rates, with lower average market rates for unprocessed marijuana allocated to extractions, as opposed to unprocessed marijuana ready for retail sales.
Third, current law, in addition to sales and excise taxes, there is also a tax on the first sale or transfer of unprocessed retail marijuana by a retail marijuana cultivation facility at a rate or 15% of the average market rate of the unprocessed retail marijuana. Under the new bill, if the transfer/sale is between affiliated retail licensees (owned/controlled by same or related interests) the rate is 15% of the average market rate. However, if the transfer/sale is between unaffiliated retail marijuana business licensees, the rate is 15% of the contract price (invoice price charged, not including tax, and not including any discounts).
Finally, this bill also creates a new license, a Medical Marijuana Business Operator License, which may be issued upon payment of the fee and compliance with all local licensing requirements.
This bill directs the department of education, by July 1, 2017, to create a resource/education bank for public schools to use to teach about marijuana. The bill authorizes the resource bank to be paid from the marijuana tax cash fund.
Under the current law, medical marijuana is a vertically integrated regulatory scheme, meaning that a medical marijuana center must grow the marijuana it sells. The one exception is that a medical marijuana facility may buy or sell up to 30% of its inventory from other medical marijuana facilities. Under the new bill, the 30% limit is changed to 50%, and for medical marijuana facilities under common ownership, transfers/purchases/sales between them will not count towards the 50%.
As part of the application, applicant shall describe type of research intending to conduct and whether it will be with a public institution or public money, and if public institution/money, then the “scientific advisory council” will review the project for approval/denial.
A marijuana research and development licensee may only sell marijuana grown within its operation to other marijuana research and development licensees.
A marijuana membership club that allows consumption of medical or retail marijuana may only operate within a county, city, or municipality if the governing body for the area adopts an ordinance authorizing marijuana membership clubs. A marijuana membership club is not accessible to the general public and allows its members to consumer retail or medical marijuana on the premises.
-has affixed to it a label that allows the pesticide to be used on crop and plants intended for human consumption.
This bill also allows the licensing authority (MED) to authorize a one-time transfer of retail marijuana and related retail marijuana products from a retail licensee to a medical marijuana licensee based on a business need due to a change in local, state, or federal policy (government cracks down on retail marijuana). If a retail licensee is authorized to make a one-time transfer to a medical licensee, it must surrender its license. To complete a transfer and license surrender, the following requirements must be met: (1) retail marijuana licensee provides written notice to state licensing authority (2) written notice must include evidence that any applicable excise tax has been paid, or in the case of a marijuana cultivation facility, that the excise tax will be paid at the time of transfer; (3) retail marijuana licensee has 30 days after providing written notice to complete inventory conversion; (4) upon inventory conversion and surrender of license, retail marijuana transferred shall be deemed medical marijuana.
Additionally, under current law, the department of revenue determines the market rate for purposes of excise tax collection on retail marijuana every six (6) months. This bill gives the authority to calculate the average market rate to the state licensing authority (MED) and requires calculation on a quarterly basis (every 3 months).
There are a number of different taxes on retail marijuana. Under current law, the retail marijuana sales tax rate is scheduled to decrease on July 1, 2017, from 10% to 8%. This bill eliminates the reduction and keeps the tax rate at 10%.
-a county may levy, collect, and enforce a county special sales tax upon all sales of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products in municipalities within the boundaries of the county, that do not levy a municipal special sales tax on the sale of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products. The county can levy a special sales tax only until the municipality obtains voter approval to levy a municipal special sales tax. If the municipalities receives the voter approval, the county special sales tax will be invalid within the corporate limits, unless the county enters into an intergovernmental agreement with the municipality.
This bill creates the grey and black market marijuana enforcement grant program awarding local governments reimbursement for training, education, law enforcement and prosecution costs for rural local governments to adopt policies to impose reasonable limits on residential marijuana cultivation sites and caregiving. The goal is to stop the residential caregiver sites in rural cities. “Rural” is defined as a county with a population of less than two hundred thousand people, per the last census, or a municipality with a population of less than thirty thousand people, according to the last census.
It would be unlawful for someone to cultivate more than 12 marijuana plants in a residential property, regardless if for recreational or medical use, but, a medical marijuana patient or primary caregiver with 24 marijuana plants has an exception, if the local jurisdiction expressly permits the cultivation, growth, production of more than 12 plants on a residential property, and it is locked in an enclosed space. This would be a criminal violation.
This bill creates a statutory right to use medical marijuana to treat acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also adds acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of disabling medical conditions for the purposes of the use of medical marijuana.
The current law requires Colorado residency in order to obtain an occupational license in a retail marijuana business. This bill gives the state licensing authority the ability to create up to a two (2) years exemption to the residency requirement for a person applying for an occupational license for participation in a marijuana-based workforce development or education program if the person files an affirmation that he or she is participating in a program (marijuana-based workforce development or training program) that requires access to licensed premises.
Under the Farm Products Act, the commissioner of agriculture licenses farm product dealers and their agents. This bill excludes marijuana from the definition of farm products, meaning that commissioner of agriculture does not have any licensing abilities pertaining to marijuana.
This bill was introduced January 11 and last acted on March 29, when it was sent to the Governor for signing. The bill outlaws advertising for the sale of marijuana or marijuana concentrate by those who do not have either a medical or retail marijuana license, or is a caregiver and is offering caregiver services. Violation of the bill will result in a level 2 drug misdemeanor.
In the event that test results indicate the presence of substances determined to be injurious to health, the licensee must quarantine the marijuana products and notify the MED. The MED will allow the licensee an opportunity to remediate the product if the issue is microbial. If the product cannot be remediated, the licensee must document the destruction.
A medical marijuana-infused products manufacturer may purchase medical marijuana from another medical marijuana-infused products manufacturer, in addition to MMCs or its OPC.
A Medical licensee may move its location to any other place in Colorado, once approval is provided by the local jurisdiction.
This bill creates a marijuana consumption club license subject to the same licensing requirements as other retail marijuana licenses. No food or drink may be served and no outside marijuana is allowed in. The club must provide all marijuana consumed either by purchasing it from a licensed marijuana seller or obtaining the proper licenses and producing the marijuana itself.
The club does not have to comply with the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act for purposes of smoking indoors if the club is fully ventilated.
The current law requires Colorado residency in order to obtain an occupational license in a retail marijuana business. This bill gives the state licensing authority the ability to create up to a one (1) year exemption to the residency requirement for a person applying for an occupational license for participation in a marijuana-based workforce development or education program if the person files an affirmation that he or she is participating in a program that requires access to licensed premises.
Under the current law, medical marijuana is a vertically integrated regulatory scheme, meaning that a medical marijuana center must grow the marijuana it sells. The one exception is that a medical marijuana facility may buy or sell up to 30% of its inventory from other medical marijuana facilities. Under the new bill, the 30% limit is changed to be determined by the MED, but cannot be lower than 30%. The bill allows a MMC to transfer medical marijuana to another medical marijuana center or medical MIP if all direct beneficial owners are the same. This will take effect August 9, 2017, if passed.
This bill creates a statutory right to use medical marijuana to treat acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also adds acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of debilitating medical conditions for the purposes of the use of medical marijuana.
This bill allows both medical and retail dispensaries to apply for an endorsement that allows it to deliver marijuana. The stores with endorsements can deliver either by an employee or by a medical/retail marijuana transporter. Medical marijuana endorsements begin January 2, 2018, and retail marijuana endorsements begin January 2, 2019.
This bill also allows the licensing authority (MED) to authorize a one-time transfer of retail marijuana and related retail marijuana products from a retail licensee to a medical marijuana licensee based on a business need due to a change in local, state, or federal policy (government cracks down on retail marijuana). If a retail licensee is authorized to make a one-time transfer to a medical licensee, it must be within six (6) months from when the transfer was authorized.
Under current law, the department of revenue determines the market rate for purposes of excise tax collection on retail marijuana every six (6) months. This bill gives the authority to calculate the average market rate to the state licensing authority (MED) and requires calculation on a quarterly basis (every 3 months).
This Bill was postponed indefinitely.
What this means to you: this bill was lost and is no longer a possibility.
HB17-1203 Local Government Special Sales Tax on Retail Marijuana.
HB17-1221: Gray and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement Efforts.
SB17-275: Research regarding the safety and efficacy of medical marijuana and the safe and effective use of pesticides and establishment of interim standards for the use of pesticides.
This bill was introduced January 11 and last acted on March 16, when it was introduced in the House and assigned to Finance.The retail marijuana code requires a license for retail marijuana business operators. The bill creates a corresponding medical marijuana business operator license. Under current law, a medical marijuana licensee may move his or her location within the city or county where the business is licensed upon approval of the local and state licensing authority. Under the retail marijuana code, a licensee can move his or her business anywhere in Colorado upon approval of the state and local jurisdiction. The bill allows a medical marijuana licensee to move his or her business anywhere in Colorado upon approval of the state and local jurisdiction to conform with the retail marijuana code.
Under the retail marijuana code, if a test result indicated the presence of any substance determined to be injurious to health, the licensee has an opportunity to remediate the product if the test indicated the presence of a microbial. If the licensee is unable to remediate the product, then the licensee shall document and properly destroy the adulterated product. The bill gives a medical marijuana licensee the same opportunity to remediate its product.
The bill allows medical marijuana-infused product manufacturers to sell or buy medical marijuana from another medical marijuana-infused product manufacturer.

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