Source: https://www.messner.com/cannabis-law
Timestamp: 2018-03-22 11:26:46
Document Index: 334012189

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 25', '§ 12', '§ 25', '§ 25', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§12', '§ 12', '§ 39', '§ 39', 'ART 1', 'ART 2', '§ 29', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 12', '§ 18']

Cannabis Law Practice Group - Messner Reeves LLP | Denver | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | New York | Rancho Cucamonga | Silicon Valley
Messner Reeves LLP has extensive experience navigating the complex landscape of Cannabis law. Whether you are a current cannabis business owner or an individual looking to enter the industry, Messner Reeves LLP can provide you the legal assistance you need to succeed.
The team at Messner Reeves LLP provides a full range of service with proven success for clients in the following areas:
· Grow Facilities/Cannabis Manufacturers
· Infused Products Manufacturers
· Cannabis Oil, Wax, and Shatter Manufacturers
· Hemp Manufacturers
· Cannabis Vendors and Service Providers
· Cannabis Licensing, Marketing, and/or Branding Companies
· Cannabis Packaging and Labelling Companies
· Cannabis Investors and Lenders
· Real Estate Holding Companies
TAXATION/280E
Our Taxation services include: advising on ordinary and necessary business expenses, application of Section 280E of the IRS Code to cost of goods sold, vertical integration, and maximizing federal tax savings.
Our Corporate services include: entity selection and registration, drafting of governance documents, financing, and capital contribution negotiations, raising capital, corporate governance and business operations, commercial contracts and corporate transactions, employment contracts, and mergers and acquisitions.
Our Regulatory Compliance services include: state license application assistance, drafting and managing of operational plans to be submitted to state and municipalities for operational licenses, advice and assistance on local permitting and licensing processes, periodic legal compliance audits, and monitoring existing and evolving state and local regulations for marijuana businesses.
Our Intellectual Property services include: IP licensing, IP contract drafting and negotiation, state and federal trademark searches, counseling on trademark law, trade secret, and other intellectual property matters, trade secret agreements, in-state screening and registration of trademarks, policing and enforcing of registered trademarks, domain name disputes, copyrights, and IP litigation.
Our litigation services include: litigation against cities in defense of your cannabis business, administrative hearings regarding the denial or revocation of business license, administrative hearings regarding the denial or revocation of your State-issued cannabis license, civil litigation regarding commercial leases and landlord disputes, civil litigation of zoning compliance issues, litigation of contract disputes, and litigation of trademark disputes.
Our Real Estate services include: developing landlord marketing packages to describe cannabis business models for banks and other lenders, drafting leaseholds to accommodate cannabis business, review and advise regarding commercial leases, amendments to commercial leases, litigation and mediation, drafting purchase and sale agreements, and due diligence for real estate purchases and sales.
Cannabis Industry Update: June 22, 2017
The City and County of Denver has recently passed an ordinance change relating to the Denver Retail Marijuana Code and the Denver Medical Marijuana code. This change will not allow Denver Excise and Licenses to be taken for a period of two years for retail marijuana store or medical marijuana center licenses at a location or within a 1,000 feet of a location that had an application denied for issues pertaining to the reasonable requirements of a neighborhood or if the adult inhabitants of the neighborhood were satisfied by the existing locations in the area. Additionally, if a location has an application for a retail marijuana store or medical marijuana center withdrawn the location, the location cannot have an application submitted for one year. This change also pertains to changes of locations. This new ordinance is effective now, and applies to any application submitted after May 1, 2016. View here
Cannabis Industry Update: June 1, 2017
SB17-017-PTSD Bill
--Adds PTSD to the list of debilitating medical conditions allowing for medical marijuana.
HB17-1367: Authorize Marijuana Clinical Research
-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.
-two new types of licenses: marijuana research and development license; and marijuana research and development cultivation license ( C.R.S. § 12-43.3-301; C.R.S. § 12-43.3-401): allows for:
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-409: a marijuana research and development license to be issued to a Person to possess marijuana for the limited research purpose; or to allow a Marijuana Research and Development Cultivation License to be issued to a Person to grow, cultivate, possess, and transfer, by sale or donation, marijuana for research. The limited research purposes include:
-chemical potency and composition levels;
-clinical investigations of marijuana-derived medicinal products;
-efficacy and safety of administering marijuana as part of medical treatments;
-genomic; horticultural; or agricultural research; and
-conduct research on marijuana-affiliated products or systems
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.
BUT, if the research is being conducted by a public institution or with public money, the scientific advisory council established with C.R.S. § 25-1.5-106.5(3) shall review the applicants research project to determine if it meets the above and to assess:
-the project’s quality, study design, value, or impact;
-whether the applicant has the appropriate personnel, expertise, facilities, infrastructure, funding, and human, animal or other approvals in place;
-whether the amount of MJ to be grown by the applicant is consistent with the project’s scope and goals
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.
-These licensees can contract to perform the research with public higher education research institutions or another marijuana research and development/cultivation licensee
-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.
C.R.S. § 25-1.5-106.5-has the attorney general asking the federal government to permit Colorado institutions of higher education to contract with the national institute of drug abuse to cultivate marijuana and its component parts for use in research studies. Also:
-a person who holds a OPC license or Medical MIP or Retail Cultivation license or Retail MIP maybe allowed to transfer MJ to a medical research facility, including institution of higher education, will be authorized to possess MJ and is exempt from other restrictions regarding possession and use of MJ, except that the facility shall use marijuana only for medical research authorized, and shall not possess at any time a quantity of medical marijuana for medical MIP product in excess of the limit established in the upcoming rules by the MED, and shall destroy all marijuana after the research is completed. Money from the marijuana fund can be use (up to 1%) for grants so that the facility may:
-purchase marijuana from a licensee used research;
-conduct the medical research
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-202: asserting that medical marijuana or medical marijuana-infused products are no longer subject to the tracking system once the product has been transferred to a medical research facility or transferred to a pesticide manufacturer in quantities limited per the Dept. of Public Health and Environment and Agriculture. A pesticide manufacturer will defined and must authorize research to establish safe and effective protocols for the use of pesticides on medical marijuana. These pesticides manufacturers must be located in Colorado, must conduct research in Colorado, and is exempt from all otherwise application restrictions on the possession and use of medical marijuana or medical MIP; except the manufacturer shall:
-NOT possess at any time medical mj or medical MIP in excess of the limit established by the MED;
-use the medical mj and medical mip only for pesticide research;
-destroy properly once research is completed;
-not apply pesticide for research purposes on the licensed premises of a MMJ business
-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.
SB17-192: Medical Marijuana Inventory Shortfalls
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.
SB17-111: Medical Marijuana Inventory Shortfalls
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.
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-104/12-43.3-401: Adds a “Medical Marijuana Business Operator” and means “an entity or person who is not an owner and who is licensed to provide professional operational services to a medical marijuana establishment for direct remuneration from the medical marijuana establishment.”
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. § 12-43.3-407: Adds more language for a Medical Marijuana Business Operator License. Allows a medical marijuana business operator license to be issued to an entity or person who operates a medical marijuana establishment licenses pursuant to the medical marijuana act for an owner licensed pursuant to the medical marijuana act, and who may receive a portion of the profits as compensation. (this doesn’t match the definition in 12-43.3-104, above, as this portions just says “owner”, hopefully cleaned up in rulemaking)
C.R.S. § 12-43.3-310: Amended to allow a licensee to move his or her permanent location to any other places in Colorado (versus same local jurisdiction) once the MED and the local jurisdiction grants permission. This also has the MED taking applications to submit to the local jurisdiction in 7 days. (likely will not change the requirement that the licensee apply locally first…)
SIGNED AND MADE LAW
SB17-187 Exemption to the Residency Requirement for Education-Related Marijuana Occupational Licenses
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. § 12-43.4-103: Adds the following definition: "MARIJUANA-BASED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OR TRAINING PROGRAM" MEANS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TRAIN INDIVIDUALS TO WORK IN THE LICENSED RETAIL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY OPERATED BY AN ENTITY LICENSED UNDER THIS ARTICLE 43.4 OR BY A SCHOOL THAT IS AUTHORIZED BY THE DIVISION OF PRIVATE OCCUPATIONAL SCHOOLS. (just the retail portion of the same law above)
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.
Cannabis Industry Update: May 23, 2017
SB17-192: Marijuana Business Efficiency Measures
Last Action 5/18/17 – Sent to the Governor
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%.
Last Action 5/10/17 – House Considered Senate Amendments – Result was to Concur - Repass
This Bill creates a marijuana research and development license, as well as a research and development endorsement for existing licenses, for the following limited research purposes:
• Test chemical potency and composition levels;
• Conduct clinical investigations of marijuana-derived medicinal products;
• Conduct research on efficacy and safety of administering marijuana as part of medical treatment;
• Conduct genomic, horticultural, or agricultural research; and
• To conduct research on marijuana-affiliated products or systems
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.
Last Action 5/10/17 – Senate Consideration of First Conference Committee Report result was to Reject, Discharge and Appoint
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.
Once the local jurisdiction has authorized such private marijuana clubs, a club must also meet the following requirements:
1. All members and employees of the club must be 21 years of age or older
2. The club’s owner must be a resident of Colorado for at least two (2) years prior to owning the club
3. The club’s employees must be Colorado residents
4. The club cannot sell or serve alcohol or food
5. A club owner shall not sell marijuana on the premises
6. A club owner shall not permit the sale or exchange of marijuana for monetary value on the premises
“Open and Public” or “openly or publicly” will mean “a place not protected from unaided observation lawfully made from outside its perimeter not involving physical intrusion and to which the public or a substantial number of the public has access without restriction, including but not limited to highways, transportation facilities, places of amusement, parks, playgrounds, and common areas of public buildings and facilities that are generally open or accessible to members of the public without restriction.”
SB17-275: Marijuana Pesticides Test Medical Effectiveness
Last Action 5/9/17 – House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor Postpone Indefinitely
This bill directs the CDPHE to use marijuana taxes to make research grants regarding the medical efficacy of Colorado-grown strains of medical marijuana and requires the person appointed to the scientific advisory counsel who represents medical marijuana patients to have scientific expertise. Also requires a licensed medical or retail marijuana facility to transfer marijuana to a research facility for purposes of pesticide research. This bill will allow the use of pesticide in the cultivation and production of marijuana if the pesticide is:
-exempt from registration pursuant to federal law, can be used on a crop group 19, hots, or unspecified crops or plants OR has been listed by the organic materials review institution;
-has affixed to it a label that allows it to be used at the intended site of application; and
-has affixed to it a label that allows the pesticide to be used on crop and plants intended for human consumption.
Once the department has certified marijuana test laboratories, if there is unauthorized pesticides, the MED will allow the licensee to provide a sample for further testing. If no further testing transpires, or the testing shows unauthorized pesticides, the licensee has to destroy the product. In determining if there is contamination, the state licensing authority will consider:
-the analytical variability and sensitivity in testing results;
-how the marijuana was grown or produced;
-whether the cultivator actually applied unauthorized pesticides; and
-whether the amount of pesticide falls within a reasonable tolerance based on scientific research
Cannabis Industry Update: May 2017
Last Action 5/5/17 – House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
Last Action 5/5/17 – House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
Last Action 5/5/17 – Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
Last Action 5/4/17 – House Second Reading Laid Over Daily – No Amendments
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).
HB17-1345: Retail Marijuana Sales Tax Rate
Last Action 5/4/17 – Senate Committee on Finance Postpone Indefinitely
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%.
Last Action 5/4/17 – Governor Signed
Each county and statutory municipality in the state would be authorized to levy, collect, and enforce a county special sales tax on all retail marijuana product sales in the following circumstances:
-a county may levy, collect, and enforce a county special sales tax upon all sales of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products in unincorporated areas of the county;
-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.
Last Action 5/4/17 – Senate Considered House Amendments – Result was to Laid Over Daily
HB17-1221: Grey And Black Marijuana Enforcement Efforts
Last Action 5/2/17 – Sent to the Governor
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.
Last Action 5/1/17 – Sent to the Governor
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.
Last Action 4/21/17 – Senate Considered House Amendments – Result was to Not Concur – Request Conference Committee
Last Action 4/19/17 – Senate Considered House Amendments – Result was to Concur - Repass
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.
Last Action 4/6/17 – Governor Signed
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.
Last Action 4/4/17 – Governor Signed
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.
Last Action-Governor Signed 3/16/17
Law changes to ensure medical marijuana code conforms to retail marijuana code. The change added “Medical Marijuana Business Operator” meaning and allowing for “an entity or person who is not an owner and who is licensed to provide professional operational services to a medical marijuana establishment for direct remuneration from the medical marijuana establishment.”
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.
SB17-063: Marijuana Club License
Last Action 3/1/17 – Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Postpone Indefinitely
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.
Cannabis Industry Update: April 2017
Last Action 3/30/17 – House Committee on Business Affairs and Labor Refer Amended to Appropriations
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.
Last Action 3/29/17 – Governor Signed 4/4/17
Gov. Signed April 6, 2017
Last Action 3/28/17 – House Second Reading Laid Over to 4/3/17 – No Amendments
Last Action 3/24/17 – Introduced in House – Assigned to Finance
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.
Last Action 3/23/17 – House Second Reading Laid Over to 4/3/17 – No Amendments
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.
Last Action 3/16/17 – Senate Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Appropriations; on Senate Floor April 10, 2017
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.
Each county in the state would be authorized to levy, collect, and enforce a county special sales tax on all retail marijuana product sales in the following circumstances:
HB17-1221: Gray and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement Efforts.
Last Action 4/7/217-Second Reading in Senate
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.
HB17-1220-Stopping Diversion of Legal Marijuana to the Illegal Market
Cannabis Industry Update: March 2017
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.
View Signed Bill