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Let's take a look at how Colorado's new rules wllow for Cannabis Cafes, delivery, and more. Governor Jared Polis recently signed new cannabis laws into place legalizing social cannabis consumption and commercial delivery. On Wednesday, May 29, 2019, Polis gave the green light for coffee shops, smoking lounges, hotels, music venues, and other businesses to apply for a social consumption license. Colorado’s new rules essentially strengthen the state’s position as a leader in cannabis tourism and job creation.

Social Consumption Rules

House Bill 1230 gives restaurants, dispensaries, and other locations the chance to let their patrons smoke cannabis indoors. Dispensaries can apply for a social consumption permit and build a tasting room, similar to craft breweries’ tasting rooms.

Dispensaries aren’t the only businesses that qualify for a social consumption permit. Yoga studios, art galleries, tour buses, and limousines can offer social cannabis use within their facilities. Temporary licenses for special events will also be available, which is a cause for celebration.

Colorado’s been vying for social consumption laws since 2013. Denver City Council passed a social consumption law in 2016 but smoking indoors wasn’t included in the law. Before HB 1230, tour companies and private establishments who offered social consumption were vulnerable to state sting operations. Colorado residents will have to wait until the beginning of 2020 to see the law take effect. Local jurisdictions, however, can opt out of the program.

HB 1230 allows smoking indoors and exempts businesses with a social consumption permit from Colorado’s Clean Indoor Air Act, which bans indoor smoking. Facilities will run like businesses with a liquor license in that staff members will have to monitor intoxication and assist out impaired drivers. One of the biggest caveats in the bill is that social consumption locations can’t hold a liquor license, as well, which may prevent some restaurants from participating in the social consumption rules.

Cannabis Delivery

House Bill 1234 was introduced by representatives Alex Valdez and Jonathan Singer and allows cannabis delivery to be regulated in the state of Colorado. The intention behind the bill was mainly to thwart the current illegal delivery market. Valdez told Westword, “right now, there is a thriving black market for delivery. If you were to go on Google, you could absolutely find that.”

Apart from diminishing the black market’s power, Singer and Valdez hope to bring cannabis closer to patients that can’t make it out to a dispensary. HB 1234 allows dispensaries to deliver medical marijuana during its first year. Recreational cannabis can be delivered the following year. Towns reserve the right to opt out of the delivery program.

A part of the bill enables third parties to deliver cannabis from a dispensary to a residential location. Dispensaries that can’t afford to hire delivery drivers could scale their businesses through online delivery orders from an independent delivery service provider. All deliveries will include a $1 surcharge to fund law enforcement in their attempts to reduce marijuana delivery-related crimes.

Relaxed Possession Laws

Governor Polis also signed House Bill 1263 into law, effectively reducing possession of more than two ounces of marijuana from a felony to a misdemeanor. The law takes effect in 2020 and “defelonizes” other Schedule I and II substances such as fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. The law doesn’t apply to cannabis dealers. The bill would free up resources and funds to build new treatment and substance abuse centers.

Medical Cannabis for Autism

House Bill 1028 allowed autism patients to use medical cannabis in Colorado. Previously, the condition wasn’t a part of the list of medical marijuana qualifying conditions. Governor Hickenlooper vetoed a similar bill in 2018 citing a lack of evidence to prove marijuana’s effectiveness on autism patients. Autism patients under the age of 18 must be approved to use medical marijuana by a licensed physician before they can start using medical cannabis.

Out-of-State Investors

Colorado’s protectionist stance changed when House Bill 1090 was passed allowing publicly traded companies and outside investors to invest in Colorado’s cannabis industry. Many Colorado businesses see this as a welcome regulation that could help their business expand. Others industry players fear that outside capital could push out smaller businesses.

Social Equity

Senate Bill 224 make changes to the recreational and medical cannabis laws. Before the bill was signed, Colorado’s marijuana laws were set to sunset in September. One of the bill’s key changes was the creation of accelerator business licenses for individuals who have lived in low-income areas in Colorado for the past five to ten years. The bill would reduce the high cost of entry into the industry for many low-income individuals.

Another key part of the bill lifts a ban on individuals that were convicted of a felony within the past five years or a drug felony within the past ten years from becoming a licensed cannabis employee. The bill also allows recreational dispensaries to sell hemp and CBD products as long as it’s tested for microbial pathogens.

Governor Polis’ new medical marijuana laws embolden Colorado’s cannabis market to grow and serve more medical patients than ever, if local jurisdictions don’t choose to opt out of the program. The state is pursuing social equity programs to offset past injustices. These new bills are signs of a prosperous future for Colorado residents who consume medical or recreational pot.

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Fred Hernandez - Cannabis industry expert writer
Fred Hernandez

Fred Hernandez is a highly accomplished and versatile writer, boasting an extensive background in the cannabis industry. With an in-depth understanding of various sectors including cultivators, processors, retailers, and brands, Fred's expertise spans across the entire cannabis landscape. As a prominent contributor to CTU, he consistently delivers insightful articles exploring the latest developments, news, and regulations shaping the cannabis industry. Whether it's delving into the intricacies of cannabis products, cannabis strain reviews, or providing comprehensive analyses of cannabis laws, or sharing expert insights on cannabis cultivation techniques, Fred's wealth of knowledge positions him as an invaluable writer and educator for all cannabis-related subjects.

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